Foundry moulder

Foundry moulders manufacture cores for metal moulds, which are used to fill a space in the mould that must remain unfilled during casting. They use wood, plastic or other materials to create the core, selected to withstand the extreme environment of a metal mould.

The following job titles also refer to foundry moulder:

sand moulder
core maker
foundry worker
coremaker
foundry sand moulder
foundry coremaker
foundry core maker
foundry molder

Foundry moulders typically need a high school diploma. Some employers may prefer an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as chemistry or metallurgy.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Foundry moulder is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to foundry moulder.

mouldmaker
moulding machine operator
casting mould maker
foundry operative
coquille casting worker

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of foundry moulder. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of foundry moulder with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

geotechnician
metal furnace operator
metallurgical technician
welding inspector
air pollution analyst

These skills are necessary for the role of foundry moulder.

• Position core workpieces: Handle coring tools such as bottom boards, coring patterns and core sections; move coring workpieces, for example by operating a crane.
• Maintain cores: Clean and repair cores, e.g. by smoothing out imperfections on the surface.
• Repair core defects: Repair core malfunctions and damage, e.g. cracks or broken edges; use hand tools, core boxes and patterns.
• Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
• Maintain core parts: Carry out minor repair tasks and maintenance of cores and core parts.
• Insert core structures: Insert core structures using the appropriate hand tools or cranes.
• Ensure core uniformity: Oversee uniformity of cores; use casting machinery and equipment and tools such as a hand press.
• Pour molten metal into cores: Pour molten steel or metal into cores; operate by hand, for example or by using cranes.
• Construct cores: Construct cores for the casting of objects in plaster, clay or metal. Use casting machines and materials such as rubber, plaster or fibreglass.
• Provide pouring holes in cores: Cut spouts, runner holes, and sprue holes into cores.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of foundry moulder. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Non-ferrous metal processing: Various processing methods on non-ferrous metals and alloys such as copper, zinc and aluminium.
• Ferrous metal processing: Various processing methods on iron and iron-containing alloys such as steel, stainless steel and pig iron.
• Types of metal: Qualities, specifications, applications and reactions to different fabricating processes of various types of metal, such as steel, aluminium, brass, copper and others.
• Various types of sand: Types of sand materials and their composition, physical characteristics, use cases and possible issues.
• Types of plastic: Types of plastic materials and their chemical composition, physical properties, possible issues and usage cases.
• Types of metal manufacturing processes: Metal processes linked to the different types of metal, such as casting processes, heat treatment processes, repair processes and other metal manufacturing processes.
• Precious metal processing: Various processing methods on precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of foundry moulder. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Attend to detail in casting processes: Attend in the metal processing casting work to specificities and details concerning the quality of the casting and moulds.
• Monitor gauge: Oversee the data presented by a gauge concerning the measurement of pressure, temperature, thickness of a material, and others.
• Communicate using non-verbal language: Communicate with colleagues using body language and other non-verbal cues in order to ensure effective communication during operations.
• Mark processed workpiece: Inspect and mark parts of the workpiece to indicate how they will fit into the finished product.
• Prepare technical reports: Prepare technical reports that describe results and processes of scientific or technical research, or assess its progress. These reports help researchers to keep up to date with recent findings.
• Supervise work: Direct and supervise the day-to-day activities of subordinate personnel.
• Coordinate coremaking shifts: Manage coordination of all activities across each coremaking shift.
• Follow manufacturing work schedule: Follow the planning set up by manufacturing companies’ managers exactly to ensure one production process is not delayed due to another and they follow each other smoothly.

7211 – Metal moulders and coremakers

References

1. Foundry moulder – ESCO