A method includes: replacing a first casting system component by a second casting component; sensing a position of the second casting component relative to at least one of a reference position and a third casting component; determining an adjustment amount and/or direction of the second casting system component; and providing the adjustment amount and/or direction to an operator for adjustment of the second casting system component and/or commanding that the second casting system component be adjusted by the adjustment amount and/or direction.

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.

A monitoring system may monitor the level of molten metal in a mold. The monitoring system may include a camera and a computer system. The camera may be positioned to capture or detect optical data associated with one or more molds positioned in a casting environment and send the optical data to the computer system. For example, the computer system may determine the level of the molten metal in the mold. The level of the molten metal in the mold may be compared with a baseline level. The computer system may generate operating instructions based on the comparison between the current level and the baseline level. The operating instructions may be used to adjust the casting process.

A monitoring system may monitor a gap between an ingot and a bottom block of a mold. The monitoring system may include a camera and a computer system. The camera may be positioned to capture or detect optical data associated with one or more molds positioned in a casting environment and send the optical data to the computer system. The computer system may compare the optical data with a baseline profile. Based on the comparison between the optical data and the baseline profile, the computer system may determine if the ingot has separated from the bottom block and the height of the separation. The computer system may generate operating instructions based on the separation. The operating instructions may be used to adjust the casting process.

A monitoring system may monitor a casting environment, for example, including a mold. The monitoring system may include a camera and a computer system. The camera may be positioned to capture or detect optical data associated with one or more components in a casting environment. The camera may send the optical data to the computer system and the computer system may generate a profile associated with the casting environment. The profile may be compared with a baseline profile to determine whether a particular event has occurred. Based on the event that may have occurred, operating instructions can be generated. The operating instructions may be used to adjust the casting process.

A method detects a level of a melt contained by an oscillating mold. The method includes a) sensing radiation interacted with the melt and generating from the sensed radiation radiation signals, such that the generated radiation signals are varied by the mold oscillation, b) determining a radiation signal variation of the generated radiation signals, c) determining an oscillation deflection variation of the oscillating mold, and d) determining from the determined oscillation deflection variation and the determined radiation signal variation, the level of the melt.

A method of casting a steel semi-product wherein a liquid steel is poured from a ladle to a tundish through a shroud including the steps of determining the light intensity emitted from the surface of the liquid steel in the tundish, detecting, based on said determined intensity, the presence of an open-eye at the surface of the liquid steel and emitting an alert towards an operator when an open-eye is detected.

A monitoring system may monitor a gap between an ingot and a bottom block of a mold. The monitoring system may include a camera and a computer system. The camera may be positioned to capture or detect optical data associated with one or more molds positioned in a casting environment and send the optical data to the computer system. The computer system may compare the optical data with a baseline profile. Based on the comparison between the optical data and the baseline profile, the computer system may determine if the ingot has separated from the bottom block and the height of the separation. The computer system may generate operating instructions based on the separation. The operating instructions may be used to adjust the casting process.

A method detects a level of a melt contained by an oscillating mold. The method includes a) sensing radiation interacted with the melt and generating from the sensed radiation radiation signals, such that the generated radiation signals are varied by the mold oscillation, b) determining a radiation signal variation of the generated radiation signals, c) determining an oscillation deflection variation of the oscillating mold, and d) determining from the determined oscillation deflection variation and the determined radiation signal variation, the level of the melt.

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, to avoid poor diffusion of the metal inside the tip.