Metal casting is a three-week course designed to develop a Metalcasting Technician capable of taking molten liquid metal and pouring it into molds to form shapes that are then ground and polished before being finished. They work with all types of metals and different molds to make parts for machines and equipment.
Students will learn:
- Importance of metalcasting in the modern manufacturing industry
- Properties of metals
- All about pattern design and making
- Molding sand and mold making
- Metal preparation and melting
- How to operate a furnace to melt metal for casting
- Finishing methods
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Sample of reported job titles
Core Maker, Molder, Core Machine Operator, Mold Maker, No Bake Molder, Sand Molder, Journeyman Molder, Core Stripper, Shell Core Operator, Shell Mold Operator
Tasks
- Clean and smooth molds, cores, and core boxes, and repair surface imperfections.
- Move and position workpieces such as mold sections, patterns, and bottom boards, using cranes, or signal others to move workpieces.
- Sprinkle or spray parting agents onto patterns and mold sections to facilitate removal of patterns from molds.
- Position patterns inside mold sections and clamp sections together.
- Position cores into lower sections of molds, and reassemble molds for pouring.
- Sift and pack sand into mold sections, core boxes, and pattern contours, using hand or pneumatic ramming tools.
- Tend machines that bond cope and drag together to form completed shell molds.
- Cut spouts, runner holes, and sprue holes into molds.
- Lift upper mold sections from lower sections and remove molded patterns.
- Form and assemble slab cores around patterns and position wire in mold sections to reinforce molds, using hand tools and glue.
Knowledge
- Mechanical — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
- Production and Processing — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
- Engineering and Technology — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Skills
- Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Abilities
- Finger Dexterity — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
- Manual Dexterity — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
- Multilimb Coordination — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
- Static Strength — The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
- Trunk Strength — The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
- Arm-Hand Steadiness — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
- Reaction Time — The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
- Control Precision — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
- Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Auditory Attention — The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
Work Activities
- Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Work Context
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets — How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
- Exposed to Contaminants — How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
- Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable — How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
- Spend Time Standing — How much does this job require standing?
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls — How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
- Face-to-Face Discussions — How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
- Time Pressure — How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
- Duration of Typical Work Week — Number of hours typically worked in one week.
- Work With Work Group or Team — How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
Interests
Interest code: RC
- Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
- Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
- Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
- Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
- Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
- Independence — Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
- Self Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
- Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
- Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Work Values
- Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
- Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
- Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
State/Local and National Wages & Employment Trends
| Location |
Pay Period |
2016 |
| Low |
Median |
High |
| United States |
Hourly | $10.26 | $15.07 | $22.16 |
| Yearly | $21,350 | $31,340 | $46,080 |
| Lancaster, PA MSA |
Hourly | $12.52 | $15.45 | $19.21 |
| Yearly | $26,030 | $32,130 | $39,970 |
Notes: Yearly wage data applies only to workers with full-time, year-round schedules. For salary information for part-time or part-year workers, use hourly wage data.
| United States |
Employment |
Percent Change |
Projected Annual Job Openings 1 |
| 2014 |
2024 |
| Foundry Mold and Coremakers | 12,000 | 8,700 | -28% | 180 |
| Pennsylvania |
Employment |
Percent Change |
Projected Annual Job Openings 1 |
| 2012 |
2022 |
| Foundry Mold and Coremakers | 790 | 750 | -6% | 10 |
