Patent EA-004445-B1 (EA)
Title: Method and apparatus for casting metal
Inventor: HAMILTON ERNEST
IPC: B22D9/00
Filed: 2001-09-27
Abstract: 1. A method for the casting of metals comprising the steps of: indexing a mould (3) in series on a rotating carousel (2) to a pouring station (2.1), skimming station (2.2) and a mould transfer station (2.3); casting molten metal into the mould at the pouring station (2.1); skimming dross from the molten metal at the skimming station (2.2); transferring the mould (3) containing molten metal from the mould transfer station (2.3) to a cooling section (5) and replacing it at the mould transfer station (2.3) with an empty mould; transferring a cooled mould containing a solidified metal ingot (10) from the cooling section (5) to a demoulding station (7) remote from the rotating carousel (2); removing the solidified ingot (10) from the mould (3); removing the pin/hook members (11) from the ingot (10); returning the pin/hook members (11) to the empty mould (3); returning the empty mould (3) to the mould transfer station (2.3); and transferring the ingot (10) to the further processing. 2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the mould (3) is transferred by a transfer car (4) and/or by lifting device (6) from mould transfer station (2.3) to the cooling section (5). 3. Method according to claim 1, wherein the empty mould (3) is returned to the mould transfer station (2.3) by a transfer car (4). 4. Method according to claim 1, wherein the mould (3) with molten metal is transferred from the transfer car (4) to a cooling chamber (5.1) of the cooling section by a lifting device (6). 5. Method according to the claim 1, wherein the ingot (10) is further transferred from the demoulding station (7) to a pin/hook member removal station (8). 6. Method according to claim 1, wherein the pin members (11) are removed by pushing the pin members from the ingot (10). 7. Method according to claim 1, wherein the cooling section (5) is placed between the carousel (2) and the demoulding station (7). 8. Method according to claim 1 wherein the transfer car (4) is moved on a track between the carousel (2) and the demoulding station (7). 9. Method according to claim 1 wherein the cooled mould containing the ingot is transferred from cooling chamber (5.1) to the demoulding station (7) by the lifting device (6), especially by a crane device. 10. An apparatus for casting metal ingots, comprising: a feed system for delivering molten metal (M) to be cast; an indexing carousel (2) at the end of feed system for indexing moulds (3) provided thereon, comprising: a pouring station (2.1) for pouring molten metal into a mould (3); a skimming station (2.2) for skimming dross from the surface of molten metal; a mould transfer station (2.3) for transferring the mould with molten metal from indexing carousel (2) and replacing it with an empty mould; and drive means for rotating the carousel; transfer means (4,6) for transferring the mould (3) with molten metal from the mould transfer station (2.3) of the carousel to a cooling section (5) and returning the empty mould back to the mould transfer station (2.3) of the carousel; a cooling section (5), comprising a plurality of cooling chambers (5.1); a remote demoulding station (7), for removing a solidified ingot (10) from the mould (3); and means for transferring ingot to further processing. 11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the transfer means comprise a transfer car (4) and a crane device (6). 12. Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the apparatus further comprises a pin and/or hook member removal station (8) located at or after the demoulding station (7). 13. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the pouring station comprises means (2,11) for moving the mould in vertical direction. 14. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the skimming station (2.2) is provided with means for automatic skimming of dross from molten metal contained in the mould. 15. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the indexing carousel is provided with cradles (2,4) to hold moulds (3). 16. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the feed system comprises a pouring tundish (1) for delivering molten metal to a mould at the pouring station and a stopper rod means for opening and closing a pouring orifice (1.1) of the tundish. 17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the stopper rod means comprise control means and measuring means of the level of metal in the mould and/or measuring means of the tundish level. 18. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein a shuttle car (14) is provided to transfer the empty mould (3) between demoulding station and the pin/hook removal station (8).