Apparatus for the automatic startup of a continuous casting line

Abstract

An apparatus for the automatic startup of a continuous casting line, including a vessel which is connected to a tip by means of a gate, the tip feeding a casting housing. The apparatus includes a laser device which measures the level of the metal within the vessel, a level control device, which adjusts the introduction of liquid metal into the vessel, a gate actuator to control the gate for providing a barrier between the vessel and the tip, a transducer for the temperature of the metal inside the vessel, and a PLC which receives data from the temperature transducer and from the laser device to control the level control device and the gate actuator, so as to adjust the vessel metal level to ensure a correct and continuous flow of metal toward the casting cylinders, in order to avoid poor diffusion of the metal inside the tip.

1 . An apparatus for the automatic startup of a continuous casting line, comprising a vessel which is connected to a tip by means of a gate, said tip feeding a casting housing; said apparatus further comprising a laser device which measures the level of the metal within said vessel, a level control device, which adjust the introduction of liquid metal into said vessel, a gate actuator to control said gate for providing a barrier between the vessel and the tip, a transducer for the temperature of the metal inside said vessel, and an electronic management unit; said electronic management unit receiving data from said temperature transducer and from said laser device in order to control said level control device and said gate actuator, adjusting the level of said metal in said vessel in order to ensure a correct and continuous flow of metal toward said casting housing. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said electronic management unit comprises a PLC. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said temperature transducer comprises a thermocouple. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said gate comprises a refractory barrier.