During 1999 and 2000, the six lines of the continuous billet casting machin
e of ISPAT Unimetal at Gandrange (France) have been equipped with the DIAMO
LD moulds developed by VOEST-ALPINE Industrieanlagenbau (VAI). This transfo
rmation required no constructional change of the machine and represented on
ly a minimum investment. The new mould technology allows to cast at very hi
gh speeds (above 3 m/min) and to comply with all quality requirements for a
wide range of steel grades.