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- Practical work making castings for metal parts used in a range of industries
- Work can be in shifts and is physical, practical and hands-on
- With experience and training, you could progress into engineering, other technical roles, or management
As a foundry mould maker, you'll be based in a workshop, creating moulds that will later make parts in industry.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Mixing sand and clay to make moulds
- Injecting resin into sand to create shell moulds
- Making replicas of moulds with wax for use in 'investment' casting
- Pouring molten metal into polystyrene patterns
- Making moulds from heat resistant materials
- Bonding silica gel with ceramic powders to produce castings
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You could work in a foundry workshop, and your working environment may be hot and physically demanding. You'll usually work in shifts which could include nights and weekends. You'll wear protective overalls, safety footwear, a face shield and ear plugs.
You'll need
For this role, you'll need knowledge of manufacturing production and processes, thoroughness and attention to detail, good concentration, good initiative, to work well with others, and the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools.
You can do an engineering course at college, such as Skills for Engineering, Engineering and Manufacturing, or Engineering.
You could start as a foundry process worker and do training on the job to become a mould maker.
You could also get into this job through an apprenticeship, such as an engineering operative intermediate apprenticeship, or a metal casting and foundry technician advanced apprenticeship.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you could move into supervisory management, quality control or engineering design.