For over 30 years Rautomead Limited has specialised in the design and manufacture of continuous casting equipment for non-ferrous metals and alloys. There are now more than 300 Rautomead machines in operation in over 45 different countries worldwide. Rautomead plants are being successfully applied to production of oxygen-free copper, a wide range of copper-based alloys, precious metals and zinc. Forms include wire rod, straight length bars, flats and hollow sections. According to material and section, the casting process selected may be vertical upwards, vertical downwards or horizontal. The machines may be used either as integrated melting, holding and casting machines, or may be arranged to be fed with pre-alloyed molten metal. The Rautomead Continuous Casting System is based on electric resistance heating of its furnaces, with graphite containment crucibles, graphite heating elements and casting dies. This technology is particularly suited for production of high purity, high quality oxygen-free copper and copper alloy wire rods (copper silver, copper magnesium, copper tin). The upward casting equipment may be used to manufacture rods of all diameters between 8.0mm and 30mm diameter and is suitable feedstock for wire drawing and continuous rotary extrusion processes. End use applications include: superfine wire, automotive wires, contact wire and trolley wires for high speed trains, data communication cables, CTC and transformer strips as well as enamelled wires. Rautomead’s R&D facility at the factory in Dundee (casting equipment, technicians, design and operational experience) is available to companies who wish to commission experimental and research work to develop technology and tooling for the manufacture and processing of new alloys and materials. Rautomead’s partnership with the University of Dundee provides access to sophisticated laboratory equipment as well as support with analytical evaluation and academic contributions to the R&D effort

1. Applications
Continuous Casting
Technology for Brass
or Bronze Wire Rod
■■ Output: 3,000 - 6,000 tonnes
per year
■■ Rod diameter: 8.0mm - 20mm
■■ Liquid alloy feed
■■ Separate primary melting furnace required
■■ Feedstock: copper cathode and zinc
or tin ingot
■■ EDM spark erosion cutting wire
■■ Connector pins
■■ Battery anode
■■ Zippers
■■ Picture wire
■■ Music instrument strings
■■ Wire mesh & woven products
■■ Wire brushes
RS 2500
Channel melting
furnace
Copper Cathode Zinc Ingot Induction melting

2. www.rautomead.com
Rautomead Limited, Nobel Road, Wester Gourdie Industrial Estate, Dundee DD2 4UH, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1382 622341 Fax: +44 (0)1382 622941 email: sales@rautomead.com
March2014
■■ Primary melting furnace
■■ Launder transfer
■■ Rautomead holding and casting furnace
■■ Withdrawal and casting technology
■■ Rod coiling
Continuous Casting Line Features
Launder transfer
Withdrawal & casting Supercoolers As-cast coil
Optional Features
■■ Individual cooler raise/lower
■■ Supplementary strand start up motor
& drive shafts