Electrode casting system

Abstract

A system for casting electrodes includes a row of stationary, adjacent, plate casting molds flanked by a launder containing molten metal and a walking beam conveyor. One or two travelling carriages straddle the molds, launder and conveyor. A travelling carriage comprises a pair of rotary dippers, a pair of tipping/dispensers and electrode lifting device. Each dipper scoops a predetermined amount of molten metal from the launder and, while rotating, discharges it into a dispenser. When filled, the dispensers simultaneously tip to fill a mold from both sides of a mold center line over substantially the full length of parallel sidewall portions of the mold, whereby wave action is dampened and molten metal solidifies with even thickness and without flash. The bottom of the mold is water-cooled during casting. While an electrode is cast in one mold, the lifting device lifts anelectrode from an adjacent mold and transfers it onto the conveyor which then moves electrodes over a distance equal to that between electrode center lines. The operation of the travelling carriage, dippers, dispensers, water sprays, lifting device and conveyor are carefully timed, sequenced and concurrent where possible.