Refractory casting nozzle for a changing device arranged at the outlet of a metallurgical vessel is provided with a top side refractory plate, which is provided with an abutting surface at each of two opposing end faces. During a change, the casting nozzle can either be moved against the one abutting surface of a top side plate of an adjacent casting nozzle or be pushed out from this casting nozzle. This top side plate is provided, in the one abutting surface, with a centering element protruding on both sides of this and in the opposite abutting surface with a bevelling on both sides, designed such that, during a change, the casting nozzle cooperates, with its centering elements with the bevellings of the adjacent identically designed casting nozzle, thus bringing about a guiding of the two casting nozzles.

Refractory casting nozzle for a changing device arranged at the outlet of a metallurgical vessel is provided with a top side refractory plate, which is provided with an abutting surface at each of two opposing end faces. During a change, the casting nozzle can either be moved against the one abutting surface of a top side plate of an adjacent casting nozzle or be pushed out from this casting nozzle. This top side plate is provided, in the one abutting surface, with a centering element protruding on both sides of this and in the opposite abutting surface with a bevelling on both sides, designed such that, during a change, the casting nozzle cooperates, with its centering elements with the bevellings of the adjacent identically designed casting nozzle, thus bringing about a guiding of the two casting nozzles.

A system and method for installing and removing a porous plug relative to a port of metallurgic ladle includes an extendable boom rotatable about vertical axis and pivotable up and down at a first end of the boom. A mast is coupled to a second end of the boom and rotatable about multiple axes relative to the boom to position or maintain the mast in a given orientation, such as in alignment with the port of the ladle in response to rotatable or pivotable movement of the boom. The mast includes a slider mast that is translatable along the length of the mast to insert the plug or retract the plug. The mast may also include jaw grippers to secure the plug and may be configured to rotate the plug relative to the mast. The system may automatically control the position and orientation of the boom, mast, and slider mast.

A system and method for installing and removing a porous plug relative to a port of metallurgic ladle includes an extendable boom rotatable about vertical axis and pivotable up and down at a first end of the boom. A mast is coupled to a second end of the boom and rotatable about multiple axes relative to the boom to position or maintain the mast in a given orientation, such as in alignment with the port of the ladle in response to rotatable or pivotable movement of the boom. The mast includes a slider mast that is translatable along the length of the mast to insert the plug or retract the plug. The mast may also include jaw grippers to secure the plug and may be configured to rotate the plug relative to the mast. The system may automatically control the position and orientation of the boom, mast, and slider mast.

Provided is a seating block installation structure capable of preventing the occurrence of a gap between a nozzle or plug installed in a bottom portion of a molten metal vessel and a plate or the like located on the lower side of the nozzle or plug, and a gap between the nozzle or plug and a seating block located on the upper side of or on the outer peripheral side of the nozzle or plug. In the seating block installation structure, a seating block disposed to surround a nozzle for discharging therethrough molten metal downwardly from the bottom portion of the molten metal vessel or a plug is fixed to a shell of the bottom portion of the molten metal vessel by a connecting member.

Provided is a seating block installation structure capable of preventing the occurrence of a gap between a nozzle or plug installed in a bottom portion of a molten metal vessel and a plate or the like located on the lower side of the nozzle or plug, and a gap between the nozzle or plug and a seating block located on the upper side of or on the outer peripheral side of the nozzle or plug. In the seating block installation structure, a seating block disposed to surround a nozzle for discharging therethrough molten metal downwardly from the bottom portion of the molten metal vessel or a plug is fixed to a shell of the bottom portion of the molten metal vessel by a connecting member.

In a device for manipulating preferably a casting tube in a changing device at the spout of a metallurgical vessel, this manipulation is performed by means of a robot having an attachable base, a carrying arm that pivots on the base and at least one extension arm mounted rotatably on the carrying arm and has a gripper, preferably for the casting tube. The base of the robot is attached alongside the vessel such that the carrying arm is pivotable to a side of the vessel into a downwardly directed position and each extension arm is movable along an underside of the vessel. This provides optimum placement of the robot, and consequently the device, so they do not impede access for personnel to the tundish on the casting platform during casting and corresponding manipulations can be carried out easily and operationally reliably with the device in an automated manner.

In a device for manipulating preferably a casting tube in a changing device at the spout of a metallurgical vessel, this manipulation is performed by means of a robot having an attachable base, a carrying arm that pivots on the base and at least one extension arm mounted rotatably on the carrying arm and has a gripper, preferably for the casting tube. The base of the robot is attached alongside the vessel such that the carrying arm is pivotable to a side of the vessel into a downwardly directed position and each extension arm is movable along an underside of the vessel. This provides optimum placement of the robot, and consequently the device, so they do not impede access for personnel to the tundish on the casting platform during casting and corresponding manipulations can be carried out easily and operationally reliably with the device in an automated manner.

A slab continuous casting apparatus according to this invention is configured to supply molten metal from a tundish to a slab water-cooled mold through at least an upper nozzle, a stopper, and an immersion nozzle and solidify the molten metal, and is provided with an immersion nozzle quick replacement mechanism. The slab continuous casting apparatus includes a discharge direction change mechanism that is provided between the stopper and the immersion nozzle and is capable of freely changing a discharge angle of the molten metal in a horizontal cross-section during casting.

Casting plates constructed for facing the casting orifice of a metallurgical vessel are provided with a metallic casing. The casting plates and metallic casing are provided with a protrusion configured to interact with a detector. The casing has a main surface with an opening, and two substantially longitudinal bearing surfaces. The protrusion extends from the casing in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal bearing surfaces. The protrusion is formed by a ramp having an inclined portion.