Metal Pourers and Casters pour molten metal into molds to form metal ingots or other castings such as kitchen utensils, metal furniture and power mower housings. Casters also operate furnaces to melt nonferrous metals.  

JOB DUTIES 

Metal Pourers and Steel Pourers may:

Move the ladle from the cupola or furnace to the work station, either manually or using an overhead monorail or chain hoist  

Ensure that the molds are clean, smooth, and coated  

Skim off or pour off slag from molten metal  

Position the ladle over the molds  

Open or remove the ladle stopper by turning a handwheel or moving a lever  

Tilt the ladle to pour molten metal into the molds to a specified height  

Cap certain filled molds to slow down the cooling process  

Metal Pourers may be known by the kind of metal poured or type of ladle used, such as buggy ladle, bull ladle, crane ladle, or crucible pourer.  

Casters may:

Weigh a specified amount of metal and place it into the furnace  

Turn valves to regulate the temperature in the furnace  

Verify the proper pouring temperature of the molten metal  

Position and clamp specified mold in the holding device  

Dip a hand ladle into the furnace pot or take the ladle from the furnace to the pouring station using a jib or monorail crane and pour the molten metal into a mold to form the metal casting  

Observe the light on the preset timing gage which indicates that the molten metal has solidified  

Remove the metal casting from the mold  

Examine the metal casting for defects  

Casters may specialize in one nonferrous metal, such as aluminum, magnesium, or zinc.  

Tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES  

Metal Pourers and Casters may specialize in these areas:

514.684-022 METAL POURERS and  

502.664-014 STEEL POURERS fill sand molds with molten metal to form ingots.  

502.482-010 CASTERS operate gas-fired furnaces to melt nonferrous metals and pour molten metals into molds to form products or parts of products.  

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:  

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS  

Metal Pourers and Casters work indoors with and around other Workers. Working conditions in foundries often vary. They might find variations in ventilation, heat, fumes, smoke, and dust from one plant to another. Workers often are exposed to potential burns from molten metal, electric current, and chemicals. Their injury rates in foundries are higher than the average for the manufacturing industry, but employers and unions are trying to reduce injuries with safety training programs.  

Metal Pourers and Casters usually work 40 hours per week. They may be assigned to rotating shifts. Overtime is frequently necessary to meet deadlines.  

Generally, they provide their own safety shoes. Helmets, jackets, gloves, and face shields are usually provided by the employer.  

Metal Pourers and Caster may belong to one of several unions such as the United Steelworkers of America and the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW). Union members must pay dues.  

You Should Prefer:

• Activities dealing with things and objects  

• Activities of a routine, definite, and organized nature  

• Activities that involve processes, machines, and techniques  

You Should Be Able To:

• Perform the same work repeatedly if a Metal Pourer  

• See differences in size/shape/texture/form of objects/materials  

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy  

• Rate information by standards that can be measured or checked  

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If a given ladle is a half sphere with a radius of 1 foot, what is the volume of the ladle?  

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Despite everyone's best efforts, however, accidents do sometimes occur. If you are involved in any accident while at work, report it to your supervisor immediately.  

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining any accident that may have occurred.  

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the most efficient way to complete your job so you do not waste any time.  

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES  

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:  

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 2200 MATH , 2300 METALS

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript  

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript  

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript  

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript  

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY  

Because this work is hazardous, summer and part-time jobs are not available to individuals under 18 years old.  

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships  

mentorships  

job shadowing experiences  

touring a local Metal Pourer and Caster employer  

internships  

volunteer work with a Metal Pourer and Caster employer  

community service work with an agency  

Most Metal Pourers and Casters enter this field through direct application to employers. Jobs may be located by consulting local unions representing Metal Pourers and Casters, local offices of Michigan Works!, and newspaper want ads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:    

Michigan Talent Bank       

Classifieds Employment  

Yahoo! Careers  

MONSTER.COM  

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT  

Earnings of Metal Pourers and Casters vary by size of the firm, its geographic location, and extent of unionization. Incentive pay and cost-of-living allowances also affect earnings.  

Nationally, in 1998, Metal Pourers and Casters had median weekly earnings of $430 or $10.75 per hour.  

The basic hourly wage for unionized Steel Pourers at a large Detroit area steel mill was $14.97 in early 1999.  

Metal Pourers and Casters usually receive paid holidays, vacations, sick leave, pensions, and health insurance.  

Some have dental plans. In the steel industry, some receive earning protection plans and technological severance pay.  

Some workers may advance to supervisor. Sometimes promotions come from a bidding and seniority system. Jobs are given various point values, and workers bid for jobs with more points than their present job has.  

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK  

The exact number of Metal Pourers and Casters employed in the United States is unknown. Employment is expected to decline through the year 2006. Prospects for employment in the iron and steel industry will largely depend on such factors as the demand for cars, machinery, and the amount of steel needed for construction. The general level of economic activity will influence employment as will the use of substitute materials, and the level of steel imports.  

There were about 525 Metal Pourers and Casters employed in Michigan. All of them worked in the manufacturing industry, mostly in iron and steel or auto foundries.  

Employment of Metal Pourers and Casters in Michigan is expected to show little or no change through the year 2005. An average of 10 annual openings were expected, all due to the replacement of those who retire, die or leave the labor force for other reasons.  

Because of labor saving technology, employment of Metal Pourers and Casters is not expected to keep pace with increases in production. Increases and decreases in the level of production in the auto manufacturing industry influence the demand for steel and iron and the need for Metal Pourers and Casters.  

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.