A method and an apparatus for pouring molten metal from a ladle to a mold. The ladle is titled about an axis of rotation extending through a point proximate the outlet of the ladle, whereby the relative positions of the point where molten metal from the ladle begins to fall and the pouring cup of the mold are kept constant and the molten metal is poured into the mold without varying the path of the streamline between the ladle outlet and the pouring cup of the mold. The vertical sectional contour of the ladle including the outlet is segmental.

Herein disclosed is an automatic molten metal distribution system having a function to automatically decide what one of the reserving furnaces 31 of a plurality of casting machines 30 the molten metal 36 is to be distributed. The automatic molten metal distribution system comprises: a molten metal distributor 20 for distributing the molten metal 36 to the individual reserving furnaces 31 of the plurality of casting machines 30; cast amount metering apparatus 39 for metering the individual cast amounts cast by the casting machines 30; and distributor control apparatus 22 for controlling the distributor 20 so as to distribute the molten metal 36, when the cast amount cast by any casting machine metered by the cast amount metering apparatus 39 reaches a preset cast amount set for each of the casting machines 30, to the reserving furnace 31 of said any casting machine 30.

An improved integrated system is provided for horizontally-longitudinally cast-forming a continuous length of metal ingot. An ablative material is fed lengthwise and introduced as a lining on a continuous, forwardly moving, heat-resistant flexible belt. The ablative material and the belt are shaped into a composite, forwardly moving, open top, trough-like shape into which molten metal is introduced by a ladle that is rotated at a desired supplying rate. The ablative is charred by the molten metal to provide an initial cooling action on the metal as received and to thereafter protect it and the belt while the composite and the metal are forwardly advanced along a channel-shaped, longitudinally extending, metal ingot-forming, casting station. Molten metal is introduced through a refractory nozzle that is positioned in a spaced relation with respect to the ablative lining of the composite, and back flow of the metal is prevented by a second, backwardly spaced nozzle that is also carried in a spaced relation with respect to the ablative and through which air or a suitable inert gas is supplied under pressure behind the molten metal supply nozzle. Metal is introduced into the nozzle from a pouring ladle which is carried on a turntable-like cradle in such a manner that the rate of pouring can be controlled by turning movement of the ladle. A monitor unit having a roller adapted to engage an upper surface of the metal, as at least partially solidified, has an electrical control for the cradle to select and maintain the feed of the molten metal to provide a desired thickness of the ingot being formed.

An apparatus for the continuous casting of an anode plate into low-rimmed, open molds at the periphery of a rotating wheel, which apparatus comprises a casting ladle fitted adjacent to the molds for pouring molten metal into the molds, a feeding member for filling the casting ladle with molten metal between castings, measuring devices for determining the total weight of the casting ladle before and during casting, and control members for regulating the casting cycle on the basis of the measured total weight of the casting ladle, the casting ladle being fitted to swivel around a substantially vertical shaft between two positions so that the spout of the casting ladle moves with the mold below during the casting cycle and then back to a position above the next mold before the next casting cycle.

Automatic molten metal pouring apparatus comprising molten metal level detector, mold position detector, ladle tilting angle detector, a ladle tilting servomechanism and a control device. The apparatus permits a suitable pouring flow rate of molten metal to be automatically poured into each of the molds of different types which may be conveyed one after another to the pouring position along the casting line.