are usually heated, but can more rarely come in unheated versions. Today, casting is less frequently carried out via a stopper direct from the vessel. Instead, the process of casting via a siphon outlet with a stopper has become more popular. Casting equip- ment is available with capacities ranging from 0.8 t to approx. 20 t. The heating equip- ment consists of the conventional channel inductor and for special applications also a crucible inductor with a capacity of up to 300 kg. The vessel or boiler has an inlet and outlet siphon, which can be fitted by means of a flange. By increasing the gas pressure above the bath level, the bath level within the vessel is lowered, and it rises in the outlet siphon to the specified casting height, which is also maintained through- out the casting process. The casting process is controlled and regulated with the aid of laser or camera equipment. The ‘teach-in’ principle stores up to 99 predefined and manually initiated casting programmes, which can then be run off box by box.
The total emptying of the vessel is carried out with the aid of hydraulic cylinders through the inlet. Casting units are coupled to the mould system, and in this way are always brought into the correct casting position.