Method and apparatus for sensing the condition of casting belt and belt coating in a continuous metal casting machine

摘要

The flatness of a casting belt in a continuous metal casting machine is continuously monitored and thereby also the condition of its thermal protective coating. One or more non-contacting eddy-current sensing probes are placed in proximity to the reverse or coolant side of a belt for sensing and measuring the distance of the belt from the probe to reveal irregularities in the flatness of the belt while it travels past the probe. A deficiency of insulative belt coating can cause variations in belt flatness during casting. By monitoring such variations an operator of the continuous casting machine is alerted that the coating needs to be retouched or replaced without interrupting the casting process. Or such monitoring can alert the operator that the belt has become inherently not flat. A similar proximity sensing probe is utilized for the purpose of supplying an instant report of the initial entrance of molten metal into the casting cavity adjacent to a casting belt at the start of a cast. In this way, forward travel of the casting belt is initiated in synchronized relationship with introduction of the molten metal into the casting cavity by starting the forward belt motion at the appropriate instant before the entrained plug ("dummy bar") which is positioned between the two casting belts is moved out of position.