METHOD OF OPERATING A MULTI-ROLL CASTING MACHINE DURING AND AFTER FREEZING OF THE LIQUID CORE OF THE STRAND

A method of and apparatus for operating a multiple-roll machine, especially a multiple-roll withdrawing machine or a multiple-roll combination withdrawing and straightening machine in a continuous casting plant, wherein a casting and a dummy bar are passed between pairs of rolls. By means of each pair of rolls there is applied to the casting and the dummy bar as they pass therebetween, the requisite contact pressure for generating the necessary traction or withdrawal force. When the thickness of the casting falls below a prescribed thickness there is applied to the casting only a contact pressure of a magnitude required for traction and when the thickness of the casting exceeds the prescribed thickness the contact pressure is increased to a greater value calculated to again reduce the thickness of the casting to the prescribed thickness.