Foundry Mold and Coremakers

What the job really is

Make or form wax or sand cores or molds used in the production of metal castings in foundries.

At a glance

• Sector: Production
• O*NET-SOC code: 51-4071
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Clean and smooth molds, cores, and core boxes, and repair surface imperfections.
• Sift and pack sand into mold sections, core boxes, and pattern contours, using hand or pneumatic ramming tools.
• Position patterns inside mold sections, and clamp sections together.
• Position cores into lower sections of molds, and reassemble molds for pouring.
• Sprinkle or spray parting agents onto patterns and mold sections to facilitate removal of patterns from molds.
• Form and assemble slab cores around patterns, and position wire in mold sections to reinforce molds, using hand tools and glue.
• Move and position workpieces, such as mold sections, patterns, and bottom boards, using cranes, or signal others to move workpieces.
• Lift upper mold sections from lower sections, and remove molded patterns.
• Cut spouts, runner holes, and sprue holes into molds.
• Tend machines that bond cope and drag together to form completed shell molds.
• Rotate sweep boards around spindles to make symmetrical molds for convex impressions.
• Pour molten metal into molds, manually or with crane ladles.

Tools and technology

Autodesk AutoCAD, Dassault Systemes SolidWorks, Abrasive stones, Allen wrench sets, Angle plates, Bench vises, Buffing machines, CNC Software Mastercam, Centrifugal casting machines, Chain hoists, Computer aided manufacturing CAM software, Core blowers

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
• Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators
• Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
• Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons
• Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
• Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Foundry Mold and Coremakers — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.