Foundry tools

Whatever the molding or core-making process used, it is necessary to have a tool or a set of tools which will give the mold the shape of the part to be cast, also bringing in the whole casting system.

Tooling in general creates the part. It plays an important role in the precision of the part, the accuracy of its shape, the correct feeding and pouring of the metal, the quality of the castings obtained, and the cost price of the parts produced.

The end result of the foundry production process depends to a very large extent on the tooling used, its design, reliability and productivity. They must be very carefully maintained and systematically monitored to ensure that the parts produced remain within the specified dimensional tolerances.

This article gives general information on the materials used and the different types of tooling employed.

More detailed information can be found in the specialist articles in the Foundry and Moulding volume of the Metallic Materials treatise .