Foundry & Forging calculator

Shakeout Capacity Calculator

Estimate good shakeout output capacity for molds, castings, or poured molds per shift. Use it when deciding whether shakeout, knockout, cooling, and mold handling can keep up with the molding and pouring schedule.

What this calculator does

  • Estimate good shakeout output capacity for molds, castings, or poured molds per shift.
  • Use it when deciding whether shakeout, knockout, cooling, and mold handling can keep up with the molding and pouring schedule.
  • Plans realistic shakeout output.

Formula used

  • Gross shakeout capacity = castings or molds per shakeout cycle × available shakeout cycles
  • Good shakeout capacity = gross capacity × shakeout equipment availability × accepted shakeout yield

Inputs explained

  • Castings or molds per shakeout cycle: Enter castings, molds, or flasks processed per shakeout cycle.
  • Available shakeout cycles: Use planned cycles for the shift or production window based on cooling, crane, conveyor, and operator availability.
  • Shakeout equipment availability: Use uptime after jams, maintenance, crane waits, sand handling, and cleanup delays.
  • Accepted shakeout yield: Use accepted output after broken castings, stuck molds, damaged cores, or rework holds.

How to use the result

  • Use for daily production capacity checks.
  • This calculator is an estimating tool. Results can change with alloy chemistry, furnace practice, ladle losses, mold design, gating and riser layout, core condition, pattern allowance, die temperature, press condition, inspection criteria, rework rules, energy rates, labor standards, and actual shop performance. Validate safety-critical, metallurgical, tooling, press-capacity, and customer-spec decisions with qualified engineering, metallurgy, OEM data, and the applicable control plan.

Common questions

  • What information do I need before using the Shakeout Capacity? Use cycle output, available cycles, equipment availability, and accepted yield.
  • What does the result mean? It estimates gross and good shakeout capacity.
  • When is the result only an estimate? This calculator is an estimating tool. Results can change with alloy chemistry, furnace practice, ladle losses, mold design, gating and riser layout, core condition, pattern allowance, die temperature, press condition, inspection criteria, rework rules, energy rates, labor standards, and actual shop performance. Validate safety-critical, metallurgical, tooling, press-capacity, and customer-spec decisions with qualified engineering, metallurgy, OEM data, and the applicable control plan.
  • What decision can I make from the result? Use it to find downstream bottlenecks, schedule cooling space, or justify shakeout equipment changes.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.