Title

CONTINUOUS CASTING SEGMENTS SERVICE LIFE IMPROVEMENT

CONTINUOUS CASTING SEGMENTS SERVICE LIFE IMPROVEMENT

Authorship

Stoppani, Pedro

Stoppani, Pedro

I am this author

DOI

10.5151/2594-5300-0037

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Abstract

For many years the main reason for repairing segments in continuous casting machines has been the deterioration of the rolls. In the worst case this results in catastrophic failure. With the development of new technologies and consistent quality improvement of the roll manufacturing process over the last few years, roll life has been significantly improved. The main reason for segment failure today is associated with bearings. This is particularly true with the introduction of new split roll technology. In addition it is important to understand that rotary joints also influence the service segment life. This report focuses on the concepts, which have led to the development of a new bearing and roll assembly design. This design was introduced in order to obtain the best technical and economical balance between bearings and roll lifetime so that caster downtime, as well as maintenance costs, can be minimised. This continuous casting roll unit with floating, bearing design aims to achieve a longer segment service life with less maintenance and unnecessary expense. This concept is based on the idea of treating the segment as a totally integrated system of: rolls; bearings; rotary joints; lubrication; water cooling circuit (i.e. bearing housings); hydraulics (not considered in this study). In order to accomplish this improvement the following changes have been made: a new bearing assembly design modification; a new bearing bracket sealing system; a different kind of rotary joint design; an economical longer lifetime roll design; a better lubrication system.

For many years the main reason for repairing segments in continuous casting machines has been the deterioration of the rolls. In the worst case this results in catastrophic failure. With the development of new technologies and consistent quality improvement of the roll manufacturing process over the last few years, roll life has been significantly improved. The main reason for segment failure today is associated with bearings. This is particularly true with the introduction of new split roll technology. In addition it is important to understand that rotary joints also influence the service segment life. This report focuses on the concepts, which have led to the development of a new bearing and roll assembly design. This design was introduced in order to obtain the best technical and economical balance between bearings and roll lifetime so that caster downtime, as well as maintenance costs, can be minimised. This continuous casting roll unit with floating, bearing design aims to achieve a longer segment service life with less maintenance and unnecessary expense. This concept is based on the idea of treating the segment as a totally integrated system of: rolls; bearings; rotary joints; lubrication; water cooling circuit (i.e. bearing housings); hydraulics (not considered in this study). In order to accomplish this improvement the following changes have been made: a new bearing assembly design modification; a new bearing bracket sealing system; a different kind of rotary joint design; an economical longer lifetime roll design; a better lubrication system.

Keywords

Slab casting, roll design, segment maintenance.

Slab casting, roll design, segment maintenance.