Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB)

Designation of occupation

Foundry mechanic (m/f)

Duration of traineeship

3 1/2 years
Training is provided in one of the following three specialist areas:

• hand moulding
• mechanical moulding
• die-casting and chill casting

 
The venues for training delivery are the training company and the vocational school

Field of activity

The work of foundry mechanics (m/f) involves the production in both one-off and series production of castings of various sizes from various materials and with various characteristics.
Their job involves manufacturing and preparing moulds and producing castings by a variety of different moulding and casting processes. They operate, monitor and maintain mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic production machinery.

Occupational skills

Foundry mechanics specializing in hand moulding:

• work out their tasks from construction drawings and related technical documentation and plan the sequence of operations;
• assemble pattern equipment in conformity with the drawings and mould requirements
• use tools, machinery, equipment, jigs and fixtures to manufacture, maintain and finish moulds and cores;
• test mould materials and prepare them on equipment and machinery for the manufacture of moulds and cores;
• make moulds by hand or hand-controlled machinery in pits and boxes;
• cast moulds taking into account safety regulations and empty the moulds;
• check the quality of the castings by sampling and testing;
• maintain equipment, plant and machinery.

Foundry mechanics specializing in machine moulding:

• work out their tasks from construction drawings and related technical documentation and plan the sequence of operations;
• assemble pattern equipment in conformity with the drawings and mould requirements
• use tools, machinery, equipment, jigs and fixtures for the mechanical preparation of mould materials and the production of moulds and cores;
• operate and monitor production machinery and equipment for moulding and casting while observing work safety regulations;
• check the quality of the castings by sampling and testing;
• identify and take steps to rectify problems in production machinery and equipment and maintain production facilities.

Foundry mechanics specializing in die-casting and chill casting

• work out their tasks from construction drawings and related technical documentation and plan the sequence of operations;
• install permanent moulds for the production process;
• set up plant and machinery, set the required operating values and retool for production changeovers;
• operate and monitor production machinery while observing work safety regulations;
• check the quality of castings by sampling and testing;
• identify and take steps to rectify problems in production machinery and equipment and maintain production facilities.

Last modified on: December 12, 2006