FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an apparatus for continuous casting by means of track elements, to produce, with continuous casting, cast metal or non-metal products.

By way of a non-restrictive example of the present invention, the track-type casting apparatus can be used to produce ingots of non-ferrous metals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Track-type apparatuses are known, to produce by continuous casting, ingots of non-ferrous metals which comprise a container provided to contain the molten material, originating for example from a melting furnace, and a discharge channel configured to allow the discharge of the molten material from the container.

It is also known that apparatuses to produce ingots by continuous casting comprise a lower unit and an upper unit to form a casting cavity through which the molten material is cast and solidified.

The lower unit is normally provided with a track wound in a closed loop between two toothed wheels and with a plurality of forming elements attached one in succession to the other to the track and provided with a longitudinal seating open at the upper part.

The winding of the track between the toothed wheels allows to define at least one rectilinear segment of the track along which the forming elements are positioned aligned linearly.

The longitudinal seatings of the forming elements located along the rectilinear segment together define a substantially continuous casting channel.

It is also known that at least one toothed wheel can be driven with a rotary motion around its axis, in a known manner, to make the track engage therewith, and therefore the forming segments along the path defined by the track itself, advance. The advance of the track also determines the advance of the cast product.

It happens in the state of the art that the upper unit is provided with a belt also having a closed loop development that is wound between two pulleys. The two pulleys define a linear segment of the belt, which is located, during use, resting on the forming elements disposed along the rectilinear segment of the track. The linear segment of the belt, therefore, closes the casting channel defined by the longitudinal seatings of the forming elements, in order to define the casting cavity.

It is also known that the track of the lower unit is defined by a first group of links and by a second group of links, said two groups being located parallel to each other.

The links of the first group and of the second group are hinged to each other and are connected to the links of the facing group by means of through pins having an axis parallel to the axes of the toothed wheels.

The through pins allow the connection of at least two links of the first group of links with at least two links of the second group of links.

The links of the first group and of the second group are normally defined by flat plates provided with holes in which the through pins are inserted.

However, the flat configuration of the links has limits of mechanical resistance and makes assembling complex.

It is also known that the through pins have to have sizes suitable to allow the insertion of spacer sleeves provided to keep the links of the first group distanced from those of the second group.

Furthermore, the through pins are suitably sized to support at the ends rolling elements which are normally located resting on guides to support the thrust stresses to which the track is subjected during use.

The pins therefore increase the overall bulk of the lower forming unit and therefore of the entire apparatus.

The toothed wheels, on which the track is wound, engage, during use, with the through pins allowing the track to advance. The engagement, however, causes a progressive wear of the central part of the pins with the need for frequent maintenance interventions. The maintenance can also provide the complete replacement of the track with high maintenance costs. To limit these wear phenomena, the central part of the through pins can be subjected to workings and/or methods to confer mechanical and/or geometric properties suitable for the engagement with the toothed wheels. This determines an increase in the associated production time and therefore cost. It is also known that the track-type casting apparatuses are provided with means to cool the forming elements which, in turn, cool the molten material which is cast, causing solidification.

The cooling means are disposed in correspondence with each forming element at least in the segment in which the forming elements define the casting channel. The cooling means generally comprise a plurality of nozzles to spray a cooling liquid, usually water, to cool the forming elements from the outside.

A further disadvantage of the state of the art is that the presence of through pins located below the forming elements reduces the cooling effectiveness of the latter since it prevents the cooling liquid from reaching the zones of the forming elements affected by the through pins.

Furthermore, the cooling liquid is sprayed directly also on the through pins and therefore can reach all the mobile parts, such as the rolling elements, causing them to deteriorate rapidly, for example due to oxidation.

The particular configuration of the upper and lower forming unit also makes the outflow of the cooling liquid particularly complex, since it can easily stagnate in dead zones, resulting in a further loss of efficiency of the heat exchange and therefore of the cooling capacity of the molten material.

This facilitates the wear and deterioration of the forming elements and of the moving parts with consequent increase in maintenance interventions and machine downtimes and therefore losses due to lack of production.

Track-type continuous casting apparatuses are described, for example, in document EP 1 317 980 Al .

One purpose of the present invention is to provide a track-type casting apparatus which allows to increase the heat exchange efficiency.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a track-type casting apparatus which reduces maintenance interventions.

It is also a purpose of the present invention to provide a track-type casting apparatus which is simple to make and assemble.

It is also a purpose of the present invention to provide a casting apparatus which allows to increase its productivity.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, a track-type casting apparatus comprises a lower unit and an upper unit which define between them a casting cavity for a molten material.

The lower unit is provided with:

- a track wound in a closed loop between at least two toothed wheels

- a plurality of forming elements attached one in succession to the other to the track and provided with respective longitudinal seatings open at the upper part and, during use, closed by the upper unit to define the casting cavity.

The track comprises a first group of links and a second group of links, adjacent to each other, wherein the links of the first group and the links of the second group are connected to first lateral flanks and respectively to second lateral flanks of the forming elements.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the links of the first group are pivoted to each other with respective first pins and the links of the second group are pivoted to each other with respective second pins, different from the first pins.

Furthermore, the first pins and the second pins are provided with rolling elements configured to engage on the toothed wheels and allow the transmission of motion from the toothed wheels to the track.

One advantage of the present invention is the fact that the pins, not being connected to each other, that is, not being through, increase the surface usable for cooling located under the forming elements, this therefore allows to increase the heat exchange efficiency and consequently also the casting speed, that is, the productivity of the casting apparatus.

A further advantage of the present invention is the fact that the particular configuration of the chain allows to assemble together the links more easily and also allows to obtain a more compact final structure.

Embodiments of the present invention also concern a method for the track- type casting of a cast product which provides to cast a molten material in a casting cavity defined by an upper unit and a lower unit, wherein the lower unit is provided with a track wound in a closed loop between at least two toothed wheels, and with a plurality of forming elements attached one in succession to the other to the track and provided with respective longitudinal seatings open at the upper part.

The longitudinal seatings, during use, are closed by the upper unit to define the casting cavity.

The track comprises a first group of links and a second group of links adjacent to each other. The links of the first group and the links of the second group are connected to first lateral flanks and respectively to second lateral flanks of the forming elements.

The links of the first group are pivoted together with first pins and the links of the second group are pivoted together with second pins. The advance of the track provides that the toothed wheels engage on the rolling elements associated with the first pins and the second pins to allow the transmission of motion from the toothed wheels to the track.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a lateral view of a track-type casting apparatus according to the present invention;

- fig. 2 is a front section view of fig. 1 ;

- fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of fig. 2;

- fig. 4 is a view from below of part of the casting apparatus of fig. 1 ;

- fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a detail of fig. 1 ;

- fig. 6 shows a variant of fig. 3;

- fig. 7 is a further variant of fig. 3.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

We will now refer in detail to the various embodiments of the present invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof. For example, the characteristics shown or described insomuch as they are part of one embodiment can be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce another embodiment. It is understood that the present invention shall include all such modifications and variants.

With reference to the attached drawings, a track- type continuous casting apparatus according to the present invention is indicated as a whole with the reference number 10.

The casting apparatus 10 comprises a lower unit 11 and an upper unit 12 defining between them a casting cavity 13 through which the molten material is made to pass during use, to be solidified and to obtain a cast product.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the casting apparatus 10 can be used for the casting of non-ferrous metal material, such as the casting of aluminum, copper, brass, or similar or comparable materials.

According to possible solutions, the lower unit 11 is provided with a track 14 wound in a closed loop between at least two toothed wheels 15 and with a plurality of forming elements 16, attached one in succession to the other to the track 14.

The forming elements 16 are provided with respective longitudinal seatings 17 open at the upper part and, during use, closed by the upper unit 12 to define the casting cavity 13.

Specifically, the track 14 is defined by at least a first segment 18 and a second segment 19 which extend from one toothed wheel 15 to the other, and return segments 20 which wind, during use, around the toothed wheels 15 and which connect the first segment 18 and the second segment 19.

According to one embodiment, at least the forming elements 16 located, on each occasion, in correspondence with the first segment 18, define with the upper unit 12 the casting cavity 13.

The cross-section of the casting cavity 13 disposed along the first segment 18 can have a cross-section substantially uniform in shape along the first segment 18. The shape of the cross-section of the casting cavity 13 also defines the transverse shape of the cast product.

The first segment 18 of the track 14, or at least a portion thereof, has a flat linear development.

The forming elements 16 are positioned, in at least one operating condition thereof, adjacent to each other so that their longitudinal seatings 17 are in continuity with each other along a longitudinal axis Z which substantially defines the axis, that is, the casting direction of the molten material.

The forming elements 16 can be positioned in contact with one another with their respective front walls 21.

In this way, the set of longitudinal seatings 17 of at least some of the forming elements 16, that is, those located along the first segment 18, define a continuous channel able to contain the molten material being cast.

According to a possible solution, the forming elements 16 can be defined by a support body, provided with the longitudinal seating 17 open both at the front part, in correspondence with the front walls 21 of the forming elements 16, and also at the upper part in correspondence with an upper wall of the forming elements 16. The support body can have a substantially prismatic shape.

According to one possible solution, the forming elements 16 can be made of a material with high heat conductivity, such as copper, or possible copper alloys.

According to further solutions of the present invention, the cross-section of the longitudinal seatings 17 can be rectangular or substantially rectangular in shape. It is not excluded that in possible variant embodiments, the cross-section of the longitudinal seatings 17 can have a different shape, for example polygonal, semicircular, or mixed polygonal curved.

According to possible solutions (fig. 3), the forming elements 16 can be defined by a bottom wall 22, and by at least two lateral walls 23, opposite each other and connected to the bottom wall 22.

The bottom wall 22 and the lateral walls 23 of at least some of the forming elements 16, that is, at least of the forming elements 16 located along the first segment 18, are aligned with each other so as not to generate discontinuities in the cross-section of the casting cavity 13. The botom wall 22 and the lateral walls 23 can have a uniform thickness throughout their whole development, thus allowing a homogeneous cooling of the forming element 16, or of the molten material present inside it when the forming element 16 defines part of the casting channel 13.

According to a possible solution of the present invention, the track 14 comprises a first group 24 and a second group 25 of links 26 of the track 14, and in which the first group 24 and the second group 25 are adjacent to each other. In particular, it can be provided that the first group 24 and the second group 25 are located parallel to each other.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the links 26 of the first group 24 are connected to first lateral flanks 27 of the forming elements 16. In particular, it can be provided that each link 26 is atached to a first lateral flank

27 of one of the forming elements 16.

The first lateral flanks 27 can be defined by a surface of the lateral wall 23 of the forming element 16.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the links 26 of the second group 25 are connected to second lateral flanks 28 of the forming elements 16. In particular, it can be provided that each link 26 is atached to a second lateral flank

28 of one of the forming elements 16.

In particular, it can be provided that each link 26 of the second group 25 is atached to a second lateral flank 28 of one of the forming elements 16.

The second lateral flanks 28 are defined by a surface of the lateral wall 23 of the forming element 16.

In particular, the connection of the links 26 to the lateral flanks of the forming elements 16 allows to maintain the botom wall 22 substantially free, and free of components that can hinder the heat exchange. This therefore allows to increase the heat exchange efficiency of the entire casting apparatus and it is therefore possible to increase the casting speed and consequently the productivity.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it can be provided that a link 26 of the first group 24 and a link 26 of the second group 25 are attached to each forming element 16. The forming elements 16 are therefore reciprocally hinged to each other in the same manner as the links 26.

According to a possible embodiment, each link 26 extends for a length greater than the length of the respective forming element 16 and its ends protrude with respect to the front walls 21 of the respective forming element 16.

According to a possible solution, the links 26 can be connected to the forming elements 16 with connection elements 29.

The connection elements 29 can comprise at least one of either threaded elements, bolts, pins or similar or comparable elements.

According to variant embodiments, the links 26 can be attached to the forming elements 16 by welding.

According to a possible solution, not shown, the links 26 can be made in a single body with the forming elements 16, that is, be an integral part thereof.

According to a possible solution, the forming elements 16 can be provided with housing seatings 30 in which the links 26 are attached.

According to further embodiments, the links 26 of the first group 24 are pivoted to each other with first pins 31 and the links 26 of the second group 25 are pivoted to each other with second pins 32 configured to allow the pivoting of the links 26.

The first pins 31 and the second pins 32 are distinct elements.

The presence of first pins 31 and second pins 32 to pivot the links 26 of the first group 24 and those of the second group 25 avoids overlapping components with some of the walls of the forming elements 16, which could become interfering with mobile parts of the casting apparatus 10 and/or could hinder the cooling action of the forming elements 16, as described below.

According to a possible solution, the first pins 31 and the second pins 32 are disposed protruding cantilevered, toward the outside, with respect to the forming element 16 with which they are associated.

More specifically, the pins 31 , 32 are supported at their ends by the links 26 of the first group 24 and of the second group 25.

Each of the first pins 31 and of the second pins 32 allows the pivoting of two of the links 26 of the track 14.

The pins 31 and 32 have their own axes of rotation X, located orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axis Z.

According to a possible solution, the first pins 31 and the second pins 32 are provided with rolling elements 33 configured to engage on the toothed wheels 15 and to allow the transmission of motion from the toothed wheels 15 to the track 14.

In particular, the rolling elements 33 can be pivoted, and free to rotate around the axis of the first pins 31 and of the second pins 32.

According to a possible solution, the rolling elements 33 can be protruding cantilevered, toward the outside, with respect to the forming elements 16. This solution allows to simplify the assembly operations, and also avoids reducing the efficiency of heat exchange, as will be evident from the continuation of the description.

According to a possible solution, the rolling elements 33 can comprise bearings, idle wheels, pulleys, or similar or comparable elements suitable to allow sliding.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, each pin 31 and 32 allows the pivoting and the rotation around it of two links 26 and a rolling element 33. The links 26 and the rolling element 33 can be held axially on the respective pin 31, 32 by means of clamping elements, such as abutment rings, holding rings, shoulders, bushings, or suchlike.

According to a further solution, the pins 31, 32 can be pivoted to the links 26 in correspondence with their pivoting ends 44 which protrude in a longitudinal direction, that is, along the development of the longitudinal seating 17, with respect to the forming element 16.

According to possible solutions, the pivoting ends 44 of each link 26 (fig. 4) are provided with a thickness reduction 45 which allows a reciprocal overlapping of the pivoting ends 44.

In particular, it can be provided that a first end of each link 26 has a thickness reduction 45 in a first surface thereof, while a second end, opposite the first end, has a thickness reduction 45 in a second surface, opposite the first surface. In this way, a link 26 is defined having a Z-shaped longitudinal section, as shown in fig. 4.

The particular conformation of the links 26 and their reciprocal overlapping in correspondence with the pivoting zones allows to attach the links 26 firmly to the forming elements 16 and to reduce the overall bulk of the forming elements 16.

According to possible solutions of the invention, a motor member, not shown in the drawings, can be associated with at least one of the toothed wheels 15 and is configured to move the track 14 in a closed loop. The drive of the track 14 allows to determine the advance of the cast product which gradually solidifies.

According to possible embodiments of the invention, the toothed wheels 15 can be provided with hollows 34 suitable to receive the rolling elements 33.

The engagement of the rolling elements 33 in the hollows 34 of the toothed wheels 15 allows to determine the advance of the track 14 in the casting direction.

According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the toothed wheels 15 can be suitably shaped to allow the engagement of both the rolling elements 33 of the first group 24 of links 26, and also of the rolling elements 33 of the second group 25 of links 26.

According to variant embodiments, in correspondence with each end of the track 14, two toothed wheels 15 can be provided on each of which the rolling elements 33 of the first group 24, or respectively of the second group 25, engage.

According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the lower unit 11 can comprise at least one support guide 35 configured to support at least some of the forming elements 16 during their movement.

According to a possible solution of the present invention, the lower unit 11 can comprise two support guides 35, each of which is configured to support respectively the rolling elements 33 of the first group 24 of links 26 and the rolling elements 33 of the second group 25 of links 26.

According to possible solutions, the at least one support guide 35 can extend substantially parallel to the first segment 18 of the lower unit 11 to support the stresses to which it is subjected during use, due to the action of the weight of the molten material contained in the forming elements 16, and/or to the stresses generated by the upper unit 12, as described below.

The at least one support guide 35 can be installed in a fixed position with respect to a support structure 42 on which the toothed wheels 15 of the lower unit 1 1 can also be installed.

According to possible solutions, the first segment 18 of the track 14 can be inclined with respect to the horizontal by an angle comprised between 2° and 15°, preferably between 3° and 8°. According to possible solutions of the present invention, the track 14 comprises an entry end 36 and an exit end 37 through which respectively the molten material is introduced and the cast, solidified, or at least partially solidified product is discharged.

According to a possible solution, the casting apparatus 10 comprises a feed device 38 configured to feed the molten material inside the casting cavity 13.

According to a possible solution, the feed device 38 can comprise a container 39, for example a ladle, to contain molten material and supply it to the casting cavity 13.

According to a possible solution of the present invention, the casting apparatus 10 can comprise cooling means 40 provided to cool the forming elements 16, preserve their mechanical properties and induce the cooling and solidification of the cast product.

According to possible embodiments, the cooling means 40 comprise devices 41 to deliver a cooling liquid, such as water, configured to deliver the cooling liquid directly onto the forming element 16.

The delivery devices 41 can be configured to spray the cooling liquid against the walls of the forming elements 16, that is, at least of the forming elements 16 provided in correspondence with the first segment 18 of the track 14.

According to a possible solution, at least some delivery devices 41 can be configured to deliver a stream of cooling liquid directly against the bottom walls 22 of at least some of the forming elements 16.

The absence of components overlapping with the bottom wall 22, due to the particular pivoting conformation of the forming elements 16, allows to optimize the heat exchange since the cooling liquid can uniformly reach the entire surface of the forming elements 16 determining an effective heat exchange action that allows to also increase the casting speed.

According to further embodiments, at least some of the delivery devices 41 can be configured to deliver a stream of cooling liquid against the lateral walls 23 of at least some of the forming elements 16.

According to possible solutions, the delivery devices 41 can be defined by tubular elements provided with a plurality of delivery nozzles and in which the pressurized cooling liquid is introduced to be discharged through the delivery nozzles.

According to possible solutions, the lower unit 11 comprises a plurality of protection elements 43 configured to protect at least the rolling elements 33 from the cooling liquid which is delivered by the cooling means 40.

The protection elements 43 can be defined by suitably shaped metal sheets attached to fixed structures, for example to the support structure 42, and positioned, during use, in grooves made in the forming elements 16.

The protection elements 43 prevent the cooling liquid from reaching the rolling elements 33 and damaging them, for example oxidizing them.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the upper unit 12 is provided with a closing device 46 positionable, during use, to close the longitudinal seatings 17 of the forming elements 16.

According to possible embodiments, the closing device 46 can also be defined by a track 47 substantially comparable to the track 14 described above.

In particular (fig. 1), the track 47 can also have a closed loop development and is wound between at least two toothed wheels 48 to define a first segment 49 located, during use, directly facing the first segment 18 of the track 14 of the lower unit, at least one second segment 50 facing the first segment 49, and return segments 51 which are wound around the toothed wheels 48 and connect the first segment 49 to the second segment 50.

According to possible solutions, the track 47 of the upper unit 12 can be provided with a plurality of closing elements 52 reciprocally pivoted to each other and located, during use, to close the longitudinal seatings 17 of the forming elements 16.

According to a possible solution, each closing element 52 overlaps, during use, with a forming element 16 to close the longitudinal seating 17 of the latter.

According to a possible solution, the track 47 of the upper unit 12 can comprise, in the same way as the track 14 of the lower unit 11 , a first group 24 and a second group 25 of links 26 attached to the closing elements 52 according to similar modes as described above for the forming elements 16.

The closing elements 52 (fig. 3) can also be provided with first lateral flanks 27 and second lateral flanks 28 to which the links 26 of the first group 24 and the links 26 of the second group 25 are respectively connected. Similarly to the track 14 of the lower unit 11, also for the track 47 of the upper unit 12, the links 26 of the first group 24 are pivoted to each other with first pins 31 and the links 26 of the second group 25 are pivoted to each other with second pins 32 configured to allow the pivoting of the links 26.

The particular connection modes, as well as the conformation of the links 26 of the track 47 can be substantially comparable to those described above with reference to the links 26 of the track 14 of the lower unit 11, and therefore are not described further.

In the same way, the connection modes, as well as the interaction of the track 14 described in association with the forming elements 16 can be applied as they are, or with normal adaptations, also with regard to the connection modes and the interaction of the track 47 with the closing elements 52.

According to a possible solution of the invention, the closing elements 52 can be provided with a front wall 53 located, during use, resting on the forming element 16, for example on the lateral walls 23 of the latter. The forming elements 16 can also be provided with lateral flaps 54 which extend protruding with respect to the front wall 53 and which can define the first lateral flank 27 and second lateral flank 28.

According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the lateral flaps 54 can be provided with through apertures 55, such as through holes, eyelets or suchlike, suitable to facilitate the outflow of the cooling liquid and prevent the latter from stagnating.

The apertures 55 prevent the formation of a stationary layer of cooling liquid which would worsen the conditions of heat exchange.

In particular, it can be provided that the cooling means 40 are also configured to cool the closing device 46.

The delivery devices 41 can be configured to deliver a stream of cooling liquid against the front wall 53, on the surface opposite the surface closing the longitudinal seatings 17.

According to a possible solution, the upper unit 12 comprises a support frame 56 configured to support at least the track 47 and the toothed wheels 48.

The rolling elements 33 of the track 47 can be positioned resting on, that is, contrasted by support or abutment guides 57 located in a fixed position, for example attached to the support frame 56.

The upper unit 12 can also be provided with protection elements 43 configured to protect at least the rolling elements 33 from the cooling liquid which is delivered by the cooling means 40.

According to possible solutions of the invention, at least one of either the forming elements 16 or the closing elements 52, in this case the closing elements 52, can comprise sealing elements 58 provided in correspondence with the interface surfaces between the forming elements 16 and the closing elements 52.

The sealing elements 58 allow to close in a precise manner the casting cavity 13 which is defined between the longitudinal seatings 17 and the closing element 52 and prevent spillages of molten material toward the outside which are particularly harmful. Furthermore, the sealing elements 58 also prevent the cooling liquid from reaching the molten material with consequent problems of explosions.

The sealing elements 58 can be integrated in the forming elements 16 and/or the closing elements 52 as shown in fig. 6, or they can be a separate component which is subsequently connected to the forming elements 16 and/or to the closing elements 52.

According to a possible solution, the sealing elements 58 can comprise a deformable tongue 59 which is positioned resting against the forming elements 16 and/or the closing elements 52.

According to the solution of fig. 6 the deformable tongue 59 is obtained from an incision made in the forming elements 16 and in the closing elements 52, in this case in the closing elements 52.

According to the solution of fig. 7, the deformable tongue 59 is obtained from an incision made in inserts attached to one and/or the other of the forming elements 16 and the closing elements 52.

According to possible variant embodiments, not shown, the closing device 46 of the upper unit 12 can be defined by a continuous metal strip, also wound in a closed loop and suitably cooled by the cooling means 40. In this case, a branch of the metal strip is located to close the upper part of the longitudinal seatings 17 of the forming elements 16 defining the casting cavity 13.

According to a further solution, the upper unit 12 can be connected to a movement device 60 configured to move the upper unit 12 toward, away from the lower unit 1 1 and allow the selective closing of the longitudinal seatings 17 of the forming elements 16.

According to a possible solution, the movement device 60 can also be configured to regulate the pressure that the upper unit 12 exerts on the lower unit 11 and obtain the certain closure of the casting cavity 13.

According to the solution shown in fig. 2, the movement device 60 comprises a crank mechanism 61 connected to the support frame 56 and provided to move the upper unit 12 toward/away from the lower unit 11.

The casting apparatus 10 downstream of the lower unit 11 and upper unit 12 can comprise further operating units, such as - by way of example only - marking means 62, cutting means 63, descaling means, drawing means, rolling means.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the continuous casting apparatus 10 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of continuous casting apparatus 10, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.