“The 3-strand caster features technology that takes the casting process to the next level,” Primetals Technologies said in a statement. 

The caster, which was put into service in September, has a radius of 8 m and a metallurgical length of 40 m. It can cast slabs that are 210 mm thick and range from 750 to 1,100 mm in width at speeds of up to 2.5 m/minute.

Primetals Technologies said the unconventional design saves on space — a typical solution, two 2-strand continuous casters, would have required double the space — and it reduces the capital expense because it saves on equipment and civil works. 

“And the efficient configuration of the 3-strand caster results in lower costs for operation and maintenance of the machine.” 

The caster features a much larger tundish, cassette-style molds, hydraulic oscillation and state-of-the-art automation package.