Occupation

Foundry Mold and Coremakers

Human Advantage 63%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
4.3 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

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

Also Known As: Airset Caster, Airset Molder, Bond Runner, Core Baker, Core Drier, Core Machine Operator, Core Maker, Core Microarchitect +35 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Clean and smooth molds, cores, and core boxes, and repair surface imperfections.
  2. Sift and pack sand into mold sections, core boxes, and pattern contours, using hand or pneumatic ramming tools.
  3. Position patterns inside mold sections, and clamp sections together.
  4. Position cores into lower sections of molds, and reassemble molds for pouring.
  5. Sprinkle or spray parting agents onto patterns and mold sections to facilitate removal of patterns from molds.
  6. Form and assemble slab cores around patterns, and position wire in mold sections to reinforce molds, using hand tools and glue.
  7. Move and position workpieces, such as mold sections, patterns, and bottom boards, using cranes, or signal others to move workpieces.
  8. Lift upper mold sections from lower sections, and remove molded patterns.
  9. Cut spouts, runner holes, and sprue holes into molds.

Supplemental Tasks (4)

  1. Tend machines that bond cope and drag together to form completed shell molds.
  2. Rotate sweep boards around spindles to make symmetrical molds for convex impressions.
  3. Pour molten metal into molds, manually or with crane ladles.
  4. Operate ovens or furnaces to bake cores or to melt, skim, and flux metal.

Education & Training

Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
64%
Less than a High School Diploma
36%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Dassault Systemes SolidWorks

Software (7)

  • CNC Software Mastercam
  • Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
  • Inventory tracking software
  • Machine control software
  • PTC Creo Parametric

Tools & Equipment (50)

  • Abrasive stones
  • Allen wrench sets
  • Angle plates
  • Bench vises
  • Buffing machines
  • Centrifugal casting machines
  • Chain hoists
  • Core blowers
  • Core machines
  • Coremaking machines
  • Crane ladles
  • Crucible furnaces
  • Cupola furnaces
  • Desktop computers
  • Dial calipers
  • Dial indicators
  • Die casting machines
  • Digital micrometers
  • Digital pyrometers
  • Electric arc furnaces
  • Electric overhead traveling EOT cranes
  • Emery cloths
  • Flat files
  • Foundry ovens
  • Foundry sand testing equipment
  • Gas-powered generators
  • Heat treating furnaces
  • Height gauges
  • Horizontal milling machines
  • Induction furnaces
  • Inside diameter outside diameter ID-OD grinders
  • Laser welding equipment
  • Micro welding equipment
  • Mold clamps
  • Multipurpose hammers
  • Multipurpose screwdrivers
  • Power grinders
  • Process air heaters
  • Sand blasting machines
  • Shearing machines
  • Socket wrench sets
  • Surface grinding machines
  • Surface plates
  • Turret lathes
  • V-blocks
  • Vacuum casting machines
  • Variable speed drill presses
  • Vent gas scrubbers
  • Vertical machining centers
  • Wire electrical discharge machine WEDM

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Production & Automation Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 2
Foundry Mold and Coremakers You are here
Zone 5

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