Apparatus and method for the connection of a new cast strip in a continuous casting operation

Apparatus for the connection of a new cast strip to a previously cast strip after a change in batch in a continuous casting plant comprising a tundish for liquid metal, having an outlet port in a lower portion thereof adapted to be sealed by a sealing means;

• a cooled continuous casting die disposed under the outlet port having a die inlet, a die cavity, die cavity walls and a die outlet, a starter bar for starting a casting process wherein a previously cast strip includes a hot free end disposed adjacent to the die;
• and connecting means for linking the free end of the previously cast strip to a lower end of the new cast strip, said connecting means being formed in the shape of a tubular hollow member open at lower and upper ends, and having a wall cross section in substantial geometrical conformity to a cross sectional contour of the die cavity;
• said connecting means including spacing means operatively disposed on an outer periphery of a central portion of said connecting means to provide centering of the connecting means in the die cavity with a gap between the connecting means and an inner face of the die.

In an apparatus for the attachment of a new casting strip to a cold casting strip at start up of a new batch in a continuous casting plant including a tundish for liquid metal, having an outlet port in a lower portion thereof adapted to be sealed by a sealing means;

• a cooled continuous casting die disposed under the outlet port having a die inlet, a die cavity and a die outlet, a starter bar for starting a casting process;
• the improvement comprising connecting means for connecting the new casting strip emerging from the outlet port in the new batch, said connection means including an upwardly opening cuff closed at a lower end by a transversely disposed plate having a peripheral edge, said plate operatively connected to the cuff at said lower end, said cuff including an upwardly extending wall with a peripheral transverse edge, said cuff wall disposed within the die to form a first gap between the peripheral transverse edge of the cuff wall and an inner wall face of the die, said peripheral plate edge projecting transversely beyond the upwardly extending cuff wall, said plate being formed of rigid material and disposed within the die such that said peripheral plate edge is spaced a second gap distance from the inner face of the die, said second gap being smaller than the first gap.