#madebyDeloro: How to become a foundry mechanic - and love it!
Heavy machinery, fire and metal. In today's society, which relies heavily on technology and progress, nothing works without metals. Machines of all kinds, as well as equipment that makes these machines, are made of metal parts that must be put together like pieces of a puzzle. As a foundry mechanic, one of the things you do is make these parts out of molten metal.
Although the tasks of all foundry mechanics are generally the same, a distinction can be made between three specializations in which one can undergo an apprenticeship for this profession. As a foundry mechanic for die casting and permanent mold casting, you produce workpieces. You make a molten metal from aluminum, copper or steel and add the necessary agents to make the molten metal flow better or to make it easier to process. Once the metal is molten, you guard the systems that transport the metal from the melting furnace to the casting station.
By hand or with the help of casting machines, you then pour the metal into the molds. To avoid getting burned, you wear protective clothing the whole time, of course. The heat is often intense and the clothing protects against it. When the metal has cooled down again, the mold is opened and the workpiece is automatically ejected or removed by hand. Now it's time to look closely: You check the casting for defects and look to see if any cracks, bubbles or cavities have appeared. Since the casting will later be installed in a machine and assembled with other parts, it is very important that everything is correct down to the smallest millimeter. If necessary, the metal is ground and filed so that everything fits in the end!
Source: ausbildung.de
Hello Batuhan and Jason, congratulations on passing the exam! How did you get the idea to become a foundry mechanic...and to Deloro ?
Batuhan: For me it wasn't really spectacular, I had the choice for an apprenticeship at Kimberly Clark, as a machine-plant operator or the foundry mechanic at Deloro. I did an internship day at both and then had to decide. The machine-plant operator job doesn't really offer me any exercise in my day-to-day work because I don't do any physical activity. With the foundry mechanic, I definitely have that and I just need the physical activity...gladly some stress. As far as I know, you tend not to have that in the other profession. That's why I decided to become a foundry mechanic.
And how did you find out about Deloro? Did you know the company before?
Batuhan: No, I didn't know Deloro before. My brother works next door in the supermarket and said I could apply for a job at Deloro.
And what lead you to Deloro, Jason?
Jason: At first I wanted to join the German Army, but I broke my wrist in a clumsy accident. Thus I could forget about even trying to pass the sport test.
I needed an alternative! An old buddy of mine (Andre Reif) also did his apprenticeship here and then worked in the welding shop. He told me that Deloro was still looking for a trainee. After an internship week, during which I got to know the investment casting family and the investment casting process, I knew that I belonged here... and so I came to Deloro as an apprentice.
What does a foundry mechanic do all day? What's exciting about it, what's annoying?
Jason: it varies, depending on where exactly you're assigned. Basically, from making patterns or molds to melting and pouring.... of course, it's annoying when something doesn't go as planned.
Batuhan: yes I agree with that! It can also be very varied from day to day. It never gets boring.
Okay. Now you are also the first apprentice to take his exam in investment casting... was that planned?
Jason: It was already clear from the beginning that I would have investment casting as my target area. I was also able to work in the conventional foundry for a certain period of time, which is part of our training plan. Investment casting then came on top for me, as the work is a bit different.
"Colleagues understand each other and form a great team!"
Batuhan and Jason appreciate the good team spirit
What influenced or impressed you most during the three and a half years of apprenticeship?
Batuhan: Nothing special happened, but the work in the foundry is simply spectacular and not everyday... The bright glow when melting and casting, constantly different components... it's fascinating.
Jason: I couldn't agree more. The foundry is fascinating, you've never seen it like that before! The glow and the combination of colors is impressive.... over and over again.
Can you imagine growing old in your profession as a foundry mechanic?
Batuhan: Well, definitely in the foundry and the profession, but more as a technician. That is, with further qualification, but it's questionable whether I'll be able to continue until I retire.
Jason: I feel the same way, it's a great job! However, I would like to further qualify myself and it is questionable whether this very physical work is still possible at an advanced age.
Maybe you'll develop like our colleague Achim König: start as an apprentice, gain further qualifications and then take on a responsible job.
Batuhan & Jason: definitely, definitely a role model!
Now you complete our team as skilled workers. Why did you stay with Deloro?
Batuhan: Working together with my colleagues is really fun, the team spirit is great. And if you ever need help, everyone is there to help and is happy to teach you something. We simply felt very warmly accepted, so why turn it down?
Jason: The atmosphere is great, relaxed and open. People understand each other and stick together. That makes even hard work fun. And the relationship goes beyond "work colleagues," you become more like friends or even family.
Batuhan: Definitely!
If you had one wish, now that you have completed your apprenticeship, what would it be with regards to Deloro?
Batuhan: Support in terms of further education would be super. I haven't really looked into it because I'm just finishing my apprenticeship, but if Deloro can help me with that, that would be cool.
Jason: Exactly the same applies to me. Further education in 1-2 years would be mega, because first I want to gain practical experience. I don't know what else you could wish for.
What would you like to pass on to future apprentices? What is very important for the apprenticeship so that you finish as well as you did?
Batuhan: *laughs* Stay tuned in any case! Then finishing well will not be a problem!
Jason: *laughs* exactly, staying tuned is important.
Any final words or anything else you'd like to share here?
Jason: I think the profession of foundry mechanic is far too unknown. It's really special, but nobody knows what I'm learning here. Someone once asked me if I would water flowers... Honestly, no one can imagine what that would be like. Unfortunately! I find the whole spectrum of foundry interesting and personally never thought it would grab me like this! Especially since I wanted to go in a completely different direction.
So you don't regret breaking your wrist?
Jason: definitely not, it was such a small stroke of fate that pushed me in exactly the right direction.
Would you want to do anything differently, Batuhan?
Batuhan: No, not at all! I am happy to be with Deloro