USOO8453712B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 8,453,712 B2

d'Hone (45) Date of Patent: Jun. 4, 2013
(54) METHOD AND TWIN ROLL CASTER FOR (56) References Cited
THE PRODUCTION OF STRIP CAST FROMA
MOLTEN METAL U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
5,188,166 A 2/1993 Perry
(75) Inventor: André d'Hone, Krefeld (DE) 5,588.479 A 12/1996 Leadbeatter et al.
5,704,414 A * 1/1998 Breviere ....................... 164,428
(73) Assignee: Outokumpu Nirosta GmbH, Krefeld 6,032,722 A 3/2000 Russell et al.
(DE) 6.296,046 B1 10/2001 Jeong et al.
6,651,729 B1 1 1/2003 Martietal.
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 6,655,447 B1 12/2003 Marti et al.
7,594,534 B2 9, 2009 Marti et al.
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 2006.0102312 A1 5, 2006 Poloni et al.
U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days. 2007/OOO6990 A1 1/2007 Marti et al.
2007/022094.0 A1 9, 2007 Patzelt et al.
(21) Appl. No.: 12/918,190
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
(22) PCT Filed: Feb. 20, 2009 DE 19919354 A1 11, 1999
EP 1088609 A1 4/2001
(86). PCT No.: PCT/EP2009/052064 EP 1646464 B1 11, 2006
EP 1670603 B1 1, 2007
S371 (c)(1), EP 1539.405 B1 12/2008
(2), (4) Date: Oct. 20, 2010 (Continued)
Primary Examiner — Kevin P Kerns
(87) PCT Pub. No.: WO2009/103802 (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — The Webb Law Firm
PCT Pub. Date: Aug. 27, 2009 (57) ABSTRACT
(65) Prior Publication Data A twin roll caster and a method for operating comprising two
casting rolls that delimit a casting gap on its longitudinal
US 2011 FOO24O74 A1 Feb. 3, 2011 sides; two side plates that delimit the casting gap on its narrow
sides; and at least one axial actuator associated with one of the
(30) Foreign Application Priority Data side plates and impacting the respective side plate on its rear
turned away from the front sides of the casting rolls with a
Feb. 22, 2008 (DE) ......................... 10 2008 O1O 653 force axially aligned toward the casting gap pressing the side
plate against the front sides of the casting rolls. An axial
(51) Int. Cl. actuator acts on the rear side of the side plate by means of a
B22D II/06 (2006.01) joint provided to adjust an angular offset between the normal
(52) U.S. Cl. level relative to the effective direction of the force applied by
USPC ........................................... 164/428; 164/480 the axial actuator to the side plate and the normal level relative
(58) Field of Classification Search to the axes of rotation of the casting rolls.
USPC .................................................. 164/428,480
See application file for complete search history. 20 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
 US 8,453,712 B2
Page 2

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS JP 5237603 A 9, 1993

GB 2337 O16 A * 11, 1999 WO 2005O23458 A1 3, 2005
JP 3174954. A 7, 1991
JP 5-237603 A * 9, 1993 * cited by examiner
U.S. Patent Jun. 4, 2013 Sheet 1 of 2 US 8,453,712 B2
U.S. Patent Jun. 4, 2013 Sheet 2 of 2 US 8,453,712 B2
 US 8,453,712 B2
1. 2
METHOD AND TWN ROLL CASTER FOR the side plates are oscillated rotationally about a centrally
THE PRODUCTION OF STRIP CAST FROMA arranged axis. With this rotational oscillation it is equally
MOLTEN METAL possible to counteract solidifications in the lower third of the
insert and to counteract the wear increasing downwards.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Examples of this procedure are described in Japanese Patents
JP 03-174954, JP 05-237603 or U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,166.
When casting strip according to the twin roll casting pro In order to ensure Sound, integral contact of the side plates
cess, the oppositely-rotating casting rolls of the caster delimit on the front sides of the casting roll associated with them in
the longitudinal sides of the casting gap. On its narrow sides, each case, the side plates are usually moved with regulated
however, the casting gap is sealed by a side plate in each case. 10 force against the front sides of the casting roll before the start
The side plates are usually comprised of an insert and a of the casting operation. If a certain force is reached, the
Support plate, which bears the insert. The insert in this case is casting process is started. In the proceeding casting operation,
usually made from refractory material and is formed so that it the contact pressure necessary for Sound sealing is then main
partly covers the front sides, associated with it, of the casting tained.
rolls and completely covers the narrow side, to be delimited 15 Due to different thermal dilatations, unevenness of the
by it, of the casting gap. Surfaces of the side plates coming into contact with the front
The relative movements, necessary in the casting process, sides of the casting rolls, axial misalignment of the casting
between the side plates and the front sides of the casting rolls rolls and other reasons, in practice it is necessary during the
as well as the contact with the molten metal moving through casting operation to constantly regulate and readjust the con
the casting gap inevitably lead to wear of the side plate due to tact pressure, under which the side plates are kept pressed
abrasive wear. This is particularly true if the contact between against the front sides of the casting rolls. This is valid in
the side plates and the molten metal or the casting rolls is particular for Such side plates, wherein sealing takes place by
realised by means of an insert made from refractory material. means of an insert, coming into contact with the casting rolls,
In order that, in the case of side plates equipped with Such made from refractory material. In particular constant regula
inserts, it is ensured that the side plates perfectly fulfil their 25 tion of the contact pressure is necessary due to the wear of the
sealing function also at the start of the casting process, it is inserts, which increases as the casting progresses.
necessary to grind in the inserts before the casting process The necessary contact pressures are usually applied by
begins. For this purpose the respective side plate is adjusted actuators, which deliver a force aligned toward the casting
while the casting rolls are rotating until the inserts of the gap. Their effective direction is usually aligned Substantially
respective side plate lie with the required contact pressure 30 axially parallel to the axes of rotation of the casting rolls.
against the respective associated front sides of the casting A fundamental problem when regulating the positioning of
rolls. Thereupon abrasive wear of the insert material occurs in the side plates against the casting rolls is that, while the
the region of the contact Surfaces. casting rolls are rotating, vertical forces develop in conse
This condition is maintained until the casting rolls are quence of friction between the side plates and the front sides
ground into a certain required depth into the refractory mate 35 of the casting rolls. The latter is valid in particular if the side
rial of the insert and the insert lies closely fitting against the plates have an insert made from refractory material, lying
front sides of the casting roll. The inserts of the side plates against the casting rolls.
now have one section, the so-called “positive insert, project The vertical forces increasing proportionally to the axial
ing into the casting gap, and two sections, the so-called “insert force applied to the side plates or proportional to the amount
grinding Surfaces”, adjacent thereto, springing back in rela 40 offriction have a strong influence on the pressure distribution
tion to the positive insert, with which sections they lie against along the contact arc Surfaces, by means of which the side
the front sides of the casting rolls. Here the positive insert plates lie against the front sides, each associated with them, of
with its lateral edge Surface covers a narrow margin, adjacent the casting rolls. With increasing vertical force the axial pres
to the respective casting roll front side, of the peripheral Sure rises in the upper region and falls correspondingly in the
Surface of the casting rolls in each case. 45 lower section of the side plates, the force detected on an axial
Because the side plates, possibly by means of their respec cylinder remaining unchanged. The result of this is that the
tive insert, are in direct frictional contact with the cooled side plate wears more heavily in its upper section than in its
casting rolls during the casting process, heat is constantly lower section.
removed from them. Therefore, during the casting process, The same is also true in the horizontal direction if different
the temperature of the side plates is usually lower than the 50 friction conditions prevail between the respective front sides
temperature of the molten mass coming into contact with of the casting rolls and the side plates. In the case of side
them. Consequently heat is also removed from the molten plates equipped with an insert made from refractory material
mass when it touches the side plates. The heat loss in this case and coming into contact with the casting rolls, in practice a
can be so great that molten mass Solidifies on the respective difference in thickness of several millimetres between the
positive insert. In the case of side plates equipped with an 55 upper and lower section, or left and right section relative to the
insert made from refractory material. Such parasitic Solidi Vertical, of the insertarises due to the wear that accompanies
fications' can take place, particularly in the region of the this. Consequently the total insert thickness cannot be used
positive insert. but the life span of the inserts is determined by the section in
Parasitic Solidifications can cause Strip defects, such as which the maximum wear takes place. Furthermore the wear,
thickness discontinuities (deviation from defined tolerances), 60 which is particularly heavy in the region of certain sections,
insufficient through-Solidification (bulging aspects) and means that as the casting progresses, the positive insert
material tears (strip edges). In extreme cases they may require projects further and further into the casting space, as a result
the casting process to be aborted. of which the dimensional precision of the cast strip is
It is known that wear of the insert due to contact with impaired in its width direction, in particular when strip is cast
Solidifying molten mass can be reduced by moving the insert 65 over a long period.
during the casting process in a precisely pre-determined way The problems described above arise particularly inten
relative to the molten mass that is to be cast. For this purpose sively in the case of suchtwin roll casters, whereinfor reasons
 US 8,453,712 B2
3 4
of space and cost savings the axially adjustment of the side With the invention therefore a twin roll a caster is made
plate aligned against the front sides of the casting rolls is available, wherein with only one axial actuator, Sound, inte
carried out by only one axial cylinder. Casters equipped in gral contact between side plate and casting roll is produced in
this way are described for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,588, Such a manner that optimally uniform wear of the side plate
479 and 6,296,046. takes place, which enables the side plate to be used over its
In International Patent WO 05/023458 it is proposed to maximum life span. This is shown to then be particularly
counter these disadvantages by distributing the axial contact advantageous if the side plates of an inventive machine are
pressures in a way that is adapted to the respective wear equipped with inserts made from refractory material which
pattern arising on the respective side plate during casting. The guarantee the seal of the casting gap during the casting opera
technical cost necessary for this, however, is substantial, since 10
tion by being kept pressed against the front sides of the
not only complicated control and regulation techniques but casting rolls.
also actuators which work in a Sophisticated manner must be In order to be able to optimally adjust an angular offset
made available.
occurring in practice, the joint provided according to the
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 15 invention should be mobile in at least two degrees of freedom.
Under consideration of the wear patterns occurring in prac
Against this background, the object of the invention was to tice, a joint which is mobile in three degrees of freedom can
create a twin roll caster and to indicate a method for its for example be used.
operation, by means of which in a simple and economical way For the joints used according to the invention, cardan joints
the side plates can be pressed against the front sides, associ or ball joints can be used by way of example. Particularly
ated with them, of the casting rolls in Such a way that maxi simple in terms of construction and at the same time robust,
mum utilisation over their life span is made possible. the adjustment movements necessary for the inventive pur
An inventive twin roll caster, comprising two casting rolls pose can be facilitated in that the joint is formed as a uni-ball
that delimit a casting gap between them on its longitudinal joint.
sides and two side plates that delimit the casting gap on its 25 The operating reliability of a twin roll caster according to
narrow sides, is equipped in accordance with the example the invention can be additionally increased by providing a
from the state of the art with at least one axial actuator, which locking device for arresting the joint after a certain operating
is associated with one of the side plates and impacts the position of the respective side plate has been reached. Such a
respective side plate on its rear turned away from the front locking device enables the joint to be arrested after the respec
sides, associated with it, of the casting rolls with a force 30
tive target operating position has been reached in order to
axially aligned toward the casting gap, through which the side ensure that the desired even pressure distribution is soundly
plate is kept pressed against the front sides, associated with it, maintained permanently also under the movements and
of the casting rolls. deformations of the caster inevitably arising during the cast
Now the axial actuator acts according to the invention on ing operation.
the rear of the side plate by means of a joint. This is formed in 35
In practice the locking device can be formed as an adjust
Sucha way that it adjusts an angular offset between the normal
level relative to the effective direction of the force applied by able clutch for example. This can be configured so that, when
the axial actuator on the respective side plate and the normal operated, it holds the joint by frictional connection.
level relative to the axes of rotation of the casting rolls. Since Expediently the locking device is coupled with a control
the joint proposed according to the invention is able to adjust 40 device which, when a certain operating position of the respec
an offset between the alignment of the force applied by the tive side plate has been reached, emits a control signal, where
axial actuator and the axes of rotation of the casting rolls, it is upon the locking device arrests the joint in its respective
therefore ensured that the side plates always lie with as far as position.
possible homogeneous force distribution against the front The exact positioning of the respective side plate on the
sides, associated with them, of the casting rolls. 45 front sides, associated with them, of the casting rolls can also
The joint present in the case of an inventive twin roll caster be assisted if the respective side plate is flexibly biased by
thus enables tolerances, arising due to wear, structural inac spring action against the axial actuator. On the one hand any
curacies and heat influences, in the distribution of the axial play existing in the respective joint can be eliminated by Such
forces applied onto the respective side plates, to be adjusted. bias. On the other hand as a result of the spring action it can be
By means of the joint arranged according to the invention 50 guaranteed that the side plate is also held in a central position
between the side plate in each case to be impacted with the with maximum mobility of the joint, as a result of which any
axial force and the axial actuator associated with it, it is uneven wear of the side plate is prevented. This then proves
namely achieved that the side plate, with its Surface associ particularly advantageous if the side plate possesses an insert
ated with the casting rolls, always lies as far as possible made from refractory material, since as a result of the flexible
uniformly against the front sides of the casting rolls, if locally 55 bias by spring action and the uniform alignment of the side
varying wear of the side plate occurs as a consequence of plate that is thereby ensured, it is possible to prevent insert
material-related or process-related irregularities. failures as a consequence of uneven wear.
A twin roll caster formed in the inventive way enables, A particularly effective flexible bias can be obtained if for
before the casting operation, the respective side plate to be the flexible bias by spring action at least three spring elements
pressed by means of the axial actuator against the front sides, 60 distributed around the working axis of the force applied by the
associated with it, of the casting rolls until a target operating axial actuator are provided. The uniformity of the adjustment
position is reached, in which a defined contact pressure acts in this case can be particularly assisted if the spring elements
between the side plate and the front sides concerned of the are distributed at equal angular intervals around the working
casting rolls. The joint provided according to the invention in axis.
this case guarantees that the contact pressure, under which the 65 In practice the axial actuator can beformed as a positioning
side plate lies against the front sides, associated with it, of the cylinder. High forces in a small area can be produced if Such
casting rolls is uniformly distributed to the optimum. a positioning cylinder operates hydraulically.
 US 8,453,712 B2
5 6
In order to counteract parasitic Solidifications on the side independently from one another, have a casing and a piston
plates during the casting operation, an oscillation device may which is adjustable in the vertical direction, whose piston
be provided for oscillating the side plate about an oscillation shaft, guided out of the casing, is connected with its free end
axis. in each case by a joint 25, 26 to the end section 21 or 22
associated with it. Observed from above, the one adjusting
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS cylinder here is arranged on the one side and the other adjust
ing cylinder on the other side of the axis of oscillation O5.
FIG. 1 is a twin roll caster according to the present inven The adjusting cylinders 23, 24 are each Supported hydro
tion viewed from above; and statically in order to be able to absorb the transverse forces
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an adjustment device for a 10 possibly occurring during the adjustment, produced by the
side plate used in the twin roll caster illustrated in FIG. 1. axial positioning cylinder 17, of the respective side plate 4, 5,
in axial direction A, the transverse forces being directed into
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED the casting gap 3, for example.
EMBODIMENTS The adjusting cylinders 23, 24 form actuators, with the aid
15 of which the respective side plate 4, 5 may be moved about its
The twin roll caster G has two casting rolls 1, 2, which each respective axis of oscillation O4. O5 in an oscillating manner.
rotate in the opposite direction about a horizontally aligned For this purpose the adjusting cylinders 23, 24 perform
axis of rotation D1, D2. The casting rolls 1, 2 delimita casting upwardly and downwardly aligned adjustment movements,
gap 3 between them on its longitudinal sides. for example each opposite to one another in the vertical
On its narrow sides the casting gap 3 is sealed by a respec direction V. Likewise for example the adjusting cylinder 23
tive side plate 4, 5, which is respectively supported by a can be arrested with its piston in a certain extended position,
Supporting structure 6, 7. The Supporting structures 6, 7 each while the second adjusting cylinder 24 carries out further
comprise an oscillation device, which oscillates the side plate adjustment movements. The axis of oscillation O5 is thereby
4, 5 associated with it during the casting operation about an shifted to the axis G25 of the joint 25, in which joint the
axis of oscillation O4, O5 in each case. 25 adjusting cylinder 21 is articulatedly coupled to the cross
The side plates 4, 5 each comprise a steel support plate 8. piece 19. Moreover the adjusting cylinders 23, 24 can at the
which on its side associated with the casting gap 3 bears an same time or sequentially perform a lowering movement
insert 9 made from a refractory material. The shape of the aligned in the same direction, in order to lower the position of
inserts 9 is selected in such a way that it superimposes the the axis of oscillation O5 in the vertical direction V.
front sides 10, 11, associated with it, of the casting rolls 1, 2 30 The adjusting cylinders 23, 24 move as a function of con
in an insert grinding Surface 12, 13 by way of an arc of a circle trol signals from a control device 27, which are connected to
in each case. the adjusting cylinders 23, 24 by means of corresponding
The insert grinding Surfaces 12, 13 have been ground in control lines 28 and valve devices 29. According to the con
into the insert 9 over the course of a start up process of the trol signals transmitted by means of the control lines 28, the
twin roll caster G carried out according to specific instruc 35 valves of the valve devices 29 open or close, in order to extend
tions after the respective side plate 4, 5 has been newly fitted or retract the pistons of the adjusting cylinders 23, 24 and
with a new insert 9, by abrasive removal of material. They accordingly swivel the side plate 5 by means of the crosspiece
delimit a positive insert 14 between them, freely projecting 19 into the one or other direction about the axis of oscillation
opposite these into the casting gap, which with its arc-shaped O5.
side surfaces 15a, 15b lies closely against the peripheral 40 The adjusting cylinders 23, 24 in this way together form
Surface of the casting roll 1, 2, associated with the respective actuators, which together with the control device, associated
side surface 15a, 15b. with them and the valve device additionally provided where
The supporting structures 6 or 7, associated with the side necessary as part of an oscillation device, move the side plate
plates 4 or 5, are each formed identically. 5 in an oscillating manner.
As illustrated in FIG. 2 based on a possible embodiment of 45 The casing section of the support frame 8 is fastened to the
the adjustment device associated with the side plate 5, the crosspiece 19 by means of a sliding guide, not visible here. In
Supporting structure 7 in the case of this embodiment is dis the sliding guide the casing section may be moved in a hori
placeably mounted on a guide 16 in the horizontal direction A Zontal direction H, aligned transversely to the axes of rotation
of the axes of rotation D1, D2. An axial positioning cylinder D1, D2, relative to the crosspiece 19 and therefore also trans
17 serving as axial actuator is provided for adjustment in the 50 versely to the guide 16 and the axes of rotation D1, D2 of the
axial direction A. During the casting operation this holds the casting rolls 1,2 by means of an adjusting cylinder, not visible
respective side plate 5, with its insert, under a certain pre here, serving as actuator for this direction of movement.
determined pressure in contact with the respective front sides The sliding guide itself is suspended by means of two
10, 11 of the casting rolls 1, 2. additional adjusting cylinders, likewise not illustrated here,
The axial positioning cylinder 17 in this case acts in the 55 on the crosspiece 19 of the support frame 18. These additional
horizontal direction A on a T-shaped support frame 18, which adjusting cylinders, likewise independently operable,
Supports the side plate 5. In this way the axial positioning together form an actuator, with which the casing section and
cylinder 17 impacts the side plate 5 with a contact pressure FA with it the respective side plate 5 can also again be moved in
necessary for the side plate 5 to lie permanently closely the vertical direction V relative to the crosspiece 19, in order
against the front sides 10, 11, associated with it, of the casting 60 to additionally Superimpose a movement aligned in the ver
rolls 1, 2. tical direction V onto the oscillating movement of the side
The support frame 18 has an upper crosspiece 19 and a plate 5. Observed from above here the one additional adjust
middle housing section, Suspended thereon, of the Support ing cylinder is arranged on the one side and the other addi
frame 18. tional adjusting cylinder on the other side of the axis of
In each case a hydraulically-operable adjusting cylinder 65 oscillation O5. In this way it is not only possible to adjust the
23, 24 is coupled articulatedly to the free end sections 21, 22 side plate 5 by coordinated operation of the additional adjust
of the crosspiece 19. The adjusting cylinders 23, 24, operable ing cylinders in a uniform movement in the V direction, but,
 US 8,453,712 B2
7 8
during asynchronous, alternating operation of the additional However when starting the casting rolls 1, 2 slowly in order
adjusting cylinders, to adjust the side plate 5 in the direction to prevent Stick-slip effects, that is to say short term intensive
V Step by step in a see-saw movement. The adjustment move adhering of the insert 9 onto the front sides 10, 11 at the
ment, carried out where necessary, of the additional adjusting beginning of rotation of the casting rolls 1, 2 and the accom
cylinders is thereby Superimposed onto the adjustment move panying danger of a failure of the insert 9, it is advantageous
ments of the adjusting cylinders 23, 24. now to firstly retract the side plate 5 by means of the axial
The side plate 5 is coupled by means of a coupling device positioning cylinder So far that contact pressure no longer
30 to the front side, turned toward the casting rolls 1, 2, of the prevails between the front sides 10, 11 and the insert 9. In
casing section. addition, this time period can be used for adapting the tem
The coupling device 30 comprises a casing 31, which on its 10 perature of the insert 9 to the temperature of the casting rolls
front side associated with the casting rolls 1, 2 Supports the 1, 2. After a critical minimum speed of the casting rolls 1, 2
respective side plate 5. In addition the coupling device 30 has been exceeded, the side plate 5 can then be moved to the
comprises a joint 32, by means of which the axial positioning target operating position, stored previously, and the casting
cylinder 17 is articulatedly coupled with the side plate 5. operation can be started.
The joint 32 is formed as a uni-ball ball joint, the ball 33 of 15
which is Supported by the middle casing section of the Support REFERENCE SYMBOLS
frame 18 and the pan 34 of which is inserted into the casing 31
of the coupling device 30. By means of three spring elements 1, 2 casting rolls
35 made from flexible material and distributed at equal angu 3 casting gap
lar intervals around the working axis, coinciding with the 4, 5 side plates
axial direction A, of the contact pressure FA, the pan 34 is 6, 7 Supporting structure
pulled against the ball 33 of the joint32, so that it is substan 8 support plate
tially free from play. At the same time the spring elements 35 9 insert
ensure that the side plate 5 in the unbiased condition is aligned 10, 11 front sides of the casting rolls 1, 2
in a defined target position relative to the axial direction A. 25 12, 13 insert grinding Surfaces
By means of the joint32, an angular offset W, illustrated in 14 positive insert
FIG. 2 with exaggerated large size for clarity, can be adjusted 15a, 15b side surfaces
between the normal level NA relative to the working direction 16 guide
A of the force FA applied by the axial actuator 17 to the 17 axial positioning cylinder
respective side plate 5 and the normal level N12 relative to the 30 18 T-shaped support frame
axes of rotation D1, D2 of the casting rolls 1, 2. This can not 19 upper crosspiece of the support frame 18
only, as indicated in FIG. 2, extend in two directions in space 21, 22 free end sections of the crosspiece 19
but as a consequence of corresponding deformations can 23, 24 adjusting cylinders
naturally also be aligned in three directions in space. 25, 26 joints
Furthermore a locking device 36, formed as a clutch and 35 27 control device
only indicated here but not illustrated in detail, is provided for 28 control lines
arresting the joint 32. This is designed for example according 29 valve devices
to the device described in US Patent US 2007/022094.0 A1 in 30 coupling device
Such a way that on the one hand in the un-arrested condition 31 casing of the coupling device 30
it permits the necessary mobility of the joint 32 and on the 40 32 joint
other hand by relative adjustment of two clutch members— 33 ball of the joint 32
not visible here—one of which is coupled to the ball 33 and 34 pan of the joint 32
the other is coupled to the pan 34 of the joint 32 by means of 35 spring elements
clutch elements arranged therebetween likewise not visible 36 locking device (clutch)
here—it can arrest the joint 32, in its respective position 45 37 actuating device
reached, by way of frictional and positive force of the clutch 38 ram
members and clutch elements. The necessary relative adjust A axial direction of the axes of rotation D1, D2
ment of the clutch members is carried out in this case by an D1, D2 axes of rotation of the casting rolls
actuating device 37. This adjusts the clutch members and G twin roll caster
clutch elements of the locking device by means of a ram 38 as 50 FA contact pressure
a function of a control signal, which is emitted by a control H horizontal direction of movement
device—likewise not illustrated here. NA, N12 normal levels
Before the start of casting, the side plate 5 is moved by the O4. O5 oscillation axis of the side plates 4, 5
axial positioning cylinder, position-regulated with Superim V vertical direction of movement
posed force control in the axial direction A against the front 55 Wangular offset
sides 10, 11, associated with it, of the casting rolls. Ifa defined The invention claimed is:
force threshold is reached, wherein sound contact between 1. A twin roll caster comprising:
the insert 9 and the front sides 10, 11 is guaranteed, the joint two casting rolls that delimita casting gap between them on
bearing is mechanically arrested by the locking device 36 in its longitudinal sides;
the way described above, upon a corresponding signal from 60 two side plates that delimit the casting gap on its narrow
the control device not shown, associated with the locking sides;
device 36. At the same time the target operating position of at least one axial actuator, which is associated with one of
the side plate 5 reached in this condition is stored in a memory the side plates and impacts the one side plate on its rear,
of a control device associated with the axial positioning cyl which is turned away from the front sides of the casting
inder 17. 65 rolls, with a force axially aligned toward the casting gap
After the joint has been arrested, it is fundamentally pos through which force the one side plate is kept pressed
sible to immediately set the casting rolls 1, 2 into rotation. against the front sides of the casting rolls, wherein the
 US 8,453,712 B2
10
axial actuator acts on the rear side of the side plate using 12. The twin roll caster according to claim 1, wherein the
a joint, which adjusts an angular offset between the one side plate is flexibly biased by spring action against the
normal level relative to the effective direction of the axial actuator.
force applied by the axial actuator to the one side plate 13. The twin roll caster according to claim 12, whereinfor
and the normal level relative to the axes of rotation of the the flexible bias by spring action at least three spring elements
casting rolls and distributed around the working axis of the force applied by the
a locking device, which arrests the joint after a certain axial actuator are provided.
14. The twin roll caster according to claim 13, wherein the
angular offset by the joint has been reached. spring elements are distributed at equal angular intervals
2. The twin roll caster according to claim 1, wherein the 10 around the working axis.
joint is mobile in at least two degrees of freedom. 15. The twin roll caster according to claim 1, wherein the
3. The twin roll caster according to claim 1, wherein the axial actuator is formed as a positioning cylinder.
joint is mobile in three degrees of freedom. 16. The twin roll caster according to claim 15, wherein the
4. The twin roll caster according to claim 1, wherein the positioning cylinder operates hydraulically.
joint is formed as a cardan joint. 15
17. A method for operating a twin roll caster according to
5. The twin roll caster according to claim 1, wherein the claim 1, comprising pressing the one side plate using the axial
joint is formed as a ball joint. actuator against the front sides of the casting rolls, until a
6. The twin roll caster according to claim 5, wherein the target operating position is reached, in which a defined con
joint is formed as a uni-ball joint. tact pressure acts between the one side plate and the front
7. The twin roll caster according to claim 1, wherein the sides of the casting rolls.
locking device is formed as a clutch. 18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising
8. The twin roll caster according to claim 7, wherein, when arresting the joint after the certain angular offset by the joint
operated, the locking device holds the joint by frictional con has been reached.
nection. 19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising
9. The twin roll caster according to claim 7, wherein the 25
retracting the one side plate from the axial actuator by a preset
locking device is coupled with a control device which, when regulation distance before the casting rolls start to rotate, then
the certain angular offset by the joint has been reached, emits Setting the casting rolls into rotation until a target rotational
a control signal, whereupon the locking device arrests the speed is reached and thereupon using the axial actuator to
joint in its respective position. move the one side plate back again to the target operating
10. The twin roll caster according to claim 7, wherein the position.
30
clutch, in the unarrested condition, permits mobility of the 20. A method of manufacturing metal strip, comprising:
joint by relative adjustment of two clutch members. moving molten metal through a casting gap between two
11. The twin roll caster according to claim 10, wherein one cooled casting rolls and two side plates of a twin roll
of the clutch members is coupled to a ball of the joint and caster according to claim 1 to form the metal strip.
another of the clutch members is coupled to a pan of the joint.