Process for continuously casting metal strands, continuous casting apparatus used therefor, and process for converting a continuous casting apparatus

In a process for continuously casting metal strands by casting the metal into a straight, vertically oriented mold (9) and subsequently drawing off the straight strand formed in the mold (9), the straight strand at first is bent in a bending zone (12) along a transition curve into a circular arc shape, is guided along a circular arc guide (2) and finally is straightened in a final straightening zone (7) along a transition curve and, after this, is extracted via an approximately horizontal stright guide (8). In order to provide, departing from a continuous casting apparatus including a curved mold (1), an apparatus including a straight mold (9) while applying as large a number as possible of components of the continuous casting apparatus including the curved mold (1), it is proceeded in the following manner: the straight strand emerging from the mold (9) in at least one bending zone (12) along a transition curve is bent into a circular arc shape having a first radius (Rmin) and in at least one consecutively arranged straightening zone (14) along a transition curve is bent into a circular arc shape having a larger radius (Rend) than the first radius (Rmin), which radius (Rend) preferably corresponds to the circular arc shape of an orginally present continuous casting apparatus including a curved mold (1).