The foundry lab supports instruction in the Manufacturing
Processes and Systems course, the Metalcasting course, research,
and student projects. Twice a semester the foundry is opened
outside of normal class hours to allow students to pour
decorative castings or their own parts. The foundry uses the
green sand process and can melt 100 lb of steel and 50 lb of
aluminum. Cores, which make internal cavities in castings, can
be made using the sodium silicate process. This process does not
require dangerous curing gases and can be cleaned up using
water. Students have built parts for the formula race car and
home light fixtures. There is also an active student chapter of
the American Foundry Society, which sponsors tours of local
industry, on-campus speakers, and talks at local high schools.
The foundry at SVSU would not be possible without the support of
industry. The students and faculty would like to thank all of
the companies for their support.