The mechanization and automation of continuous casting are relatively high, and the continuous casting process has been automatically controlled by computer, which frees the operators from heavy manual labor. In recent years, with the development of science and technology and the improvement of automation level, electronic computers are also used for the control of continuous casting production, all of which are controlled by computers except the casting operation. For example, the slab caster of Baosteel in China uses five PFU-1500 computers for on-line control, which has 3l control functions, such as cutting length calculation, compression casting control, electromagnetic stirring setting, on-line width adjustment of crystallizer, quality management, secondary cooling water control, process data collection, slab casting, tracking, finishing line selection, flame cleaning, slab printing label and weighing, and various report printing.

According to relevant information, producing 1 ton continuous casting billet saves 627 ~ 1046 kJ compared with die casting cogging, which is equivalent to 21.4～35.7kg standard coal. In addition, the energy consumption saved by increasing the yield is more than 100kg standard coal. According to China's energy consumption level, the comprehensive energy saving per ton of continuous casting billet is about 130kg standard coal.

The yield from molten steel to billet by ingot mould casting is about 84-88%, while that by continuous casting is about 95-96%, so the metal can be saved by 7-12% by continuous casting, which is a considerable figure. One of the important reasons why Japan's steel industry is competitive in the world is the large-scale adoption of continuous casting in the steel industry. Since 1985, the continuous casting ratio in Japan has exceeded 90%. For expensive special steel and stainless steel, the economic value of continuous casting is even greater. After the second steelmaking plant of Wuhan Iron and Steel Company replaced die casting, the cost per ton of billet was reduced by about l70 yuan, and the annual income was about 1.35 billion yuan based on the annual output of 8 million tons. It can be seen that improving the metal yield and simplifying the production process will obtain considerable economic benefits.

Because continuous casting can save the process of initial rolling and cogging, it not only saves the energy consumption of soaking pit heating, but also shortens the cycle time from molten steel to billet. In recent years, one of the main developments of continuous casting is the trend of casting billets close to the cross-sectional size of finished products, which will simplify the process of steel rolling.