Northern Iron and Machine

Casting Process

Casting Process

Northern Iron Molding Operations

Northern Iron and Machine has two high capacity automated molding lines. Both produce green sand molds using a pattern, a containment vessel, pressure and high quality green sand.

The green sand is comprised of silica sand and Bentonite clay premix which serves as a binding agent. Green denotes the presence of moisture in the sand. Strict process controls insure that the composition and moisture content of the green sand is kept within defined limits. For highest quality, the mold is not dried or baked.

The green sand casting process packs sand into a flask that surrounds a positive impression of the casting to be produced. This positive impression is known as a pattern. It includes runners, gates and risers that distribute the molten metal when pouring begins. The pattern is made from a durable material and built to exacting tolerances.