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.
