Match plate pattern

These are extensions of the previous type. Here the cope and drag patterns along with the gating and the risering are mounted on a single matching metal or wooden plate on either side as shown in Figure.4. On one side of the match plate the cope flask is prepared and on the other, the drag flask. After moulding when the match plate is removed, a complete mould with gating is obtained by joining the cope and the drag together.The  complete  pattern  with  match  plate  is  entirely  made  of  metal,  usually aluminum for its light weight and machinability. But when dimensions are critical, the match plate may be made of steel with necessary case hardening of the critical wear points. The pattern and gating are either screwed to the match plate in the case of a flat parting or are made integral in case of an irregular parting plane. This pattern is shown in figure.

                                                                        Figure- Match Plate Pattern

The casting of a match plate pattern is done usually in plaster moulds, but sometimes sand moulds are also used when the cope and the drag patterns are similar, the pattern may be kept on only one side of the plate and is used for making both the drag as well as the cope.

These are generally used for small castings with higher dimensional accuracy. The gating system is already made and attached to the match plate. Several patterns can be fixed to a single match plate, if they are sufficiently small in size. These patterns are used for machine moulding. They are expensive but since they increase productivity, the additional cost is justified.