This master thesis deals with the development and construction of alternative drive systems for the dummy bar manipulation in a continuous casting machine for billets or blooms. Within the frame of this thesis the most important components of a continuous casting machine are illustrated. Furthermore, the different dummy bar types depending on various plants are explained. The development of the concept designs is focused on good accessibility for maintenance, simple inclusion of the drive system in existing plants, low space requirement and the usage of heat resisting materials. Another very important point of view are safety devices. After the development and presentation of the different concept designs, a comparison and analysis are done which are followed by a detailed evaluation. The two most suitable concept designs are selected. The first step of the construction phase includes a detailed calculation of the existing forces at a default dummy bar. Based on these calculations the required chains and the other drive components are designed according to standards. Due to the static and dynamic loads the electric drive and the gearbox will are selected. Further on, a conclusion of the two different designs with regard to application and usage is performed.