molders

Molders are workers or machines that shape materials into defined forms by means of a mold. The term can denote the operator, the molding equipment, or the process itself. In American English the spelling molder is common, while moulder is used in British English; mold or mould can refer to the cavity as well as the act of forming.

Applications cover metal casting, plastics, ceramics, and composites. In metal casting, processes such as sand casting, shell molding, and investment casting create parts by pouring molten metal into a mold. Plastic molding encompasses injection, blow, and compression molding. Ceramic and plaster molds reproduce shapes from master models, while concrete and composites are formed in various mold types.

Common steps include preparing the mold, introducing the material in liquid or pliable form, allowing it to cure or solidify, and ejecting the finished part. Finishing operations such as trimming and deburring may follow. Quality control addresses dimensional accuracy, surface finish, and defect detection. Modern molding often uses automated tooling, robotics, and computer-aided design to improve repeatability.

Historically, molding has ancient origins in pottery and sculpture, with later development in metal casting, ceramics, and polymer processing during the Industrial Era. Today, the field spans artisanal workshops to high-volume manufacturing, with ongoing innovations in materials, mold design, and automation.