---
name: foundry-operative
description: "Occupational skill for the role 'foundry operative' (also: caster, pourer and caster, mold casting worker, metal moulder, foundry operator, foundry worker). Use when the user asks for typical foundry operative work such as: Collect samples, or signal workers to sample metal for analysis.; Pour and regulate the flow of molten metal into molds and forms to produce ingots or other castings, using ladles or hand-controlled mechanisms.; Read temperature gauges and observe color changes, adjusting furnace flames, torches, or electrical heating units as necessary to melt metal to specifications."
---

# Foundry Operative

Foundry operative manufacture castings, including pipes, tubes, hollow profiles and other products of the first processing of steel, by operating hand-controlled equipment in a foundry. They conduct the flow of molten ferrous and non-ferrous metals into moulds, taking care to create the exact right circumstances to obtain the highest quality metal. They observe the flow of metal to identify faults. In case of a fault, they notify the authorised personnel and participate in the removal of the fault.

## Core workflow

1. Collect samples, or signal workers to sample metal for analysis.
2. Pour and regulate the flow of molten metal into molds and forms to produce ingots or other castings, using ladles or hand-controlled mechanisms.
3. Read temperature gauges and observe color changes, adjusting furnace flames, torches, or electrical heating units as necessary to melt metal to specifications.
4. Examine molds to ensure they are clean, smooth, and properly coated.
5. Position equipment such as ladles, grinding wheels, pouring nozzles, or crucibles, or signal other workers to position equipment.
6. Skim slag or remove excess metal from ingots or equipment, using hand tools, strainers, rakes, or burners, collecting scrap for recycling.
7. Load specified amounts of metal and flux into furnaces or clay crucibles.
8. Remove solidified steel or slag from pouring nozzles, using long bars or oxygen burners.

## How to use this skill

- Read [references/profile.md](references/profile.md) for the occupation profile and scope.
- Consult [references/tasks.md](references/tasks.md) for the full task and activity inventory.
- Check [references/skills.md](references/skills.md) for essential vs. optional competences.
- Check [references/tools.md](references/tools.md) for the software commonly used in this role.

## Key competences (essential)

- assemble metal parts
- construct moulds
- ensure mould uniformity
- extract products from moulds
- fill moulds
- handle metal work orders
- insert mould structures
- maintain moulds
- mix moulding and casting material
- move filled moulds
- repair mould defects
- select mould types
- troubleshoot

## Hot technologies

- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word

---
*Sources: ESCO v1.2.1 (http://data.europa.eu/esco/occupation/dc14bed4-87ca-4e6c-9f69-458e2689d2d6), O*NET 30.3 (51-4052.00). See manifest.json for licensing/attribution.*