--- title: How Much does a Foundry Pattern Cost? description: How much do foundry patterns cost? Foundry tooling costs are influenced by multiple factors, such as process, casting geometry, construction and material. image: https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/hubfs/Products%20(tooling)/Aluminium-horizontal-Disamatic-pattern-1.jpeg --- [![Central Patternmaking Limited](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CentralPatternMaking_September2021/images/cpm-logo-svg-1.svg "Central Patternmaking Limited")](https://www.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/) - [Home](https://www.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/) - [Services](https://www.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/services/) - [Foundry Tooling](https://www.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/services/foundry-tooling/) - [Composite And Motorsport Tooling](https://www.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/services/composite-and-motorsport-tooling/) - [Jigs and Fixtures](https://www.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/services/jigs-and-fixtures/) - [Mould Tooling](https://www.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/services/mould-tooling/) - [Props, Models & Set Designs](https://www.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/services/props-models-set-designs/) - [Facilities](https://www.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/facilities/) - [CAD](https://www.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/facilities/cad-2/) - [CAM](https://www.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/facilities/cam-2/) - [Inspection & Quality Assurance](https://www.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/facilities/inspection-quality-assurance/) - [About](https://www.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/about/) - [Blog](https://www.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/blog/) - [Contact](https://www.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/contact) - [Get in Touch](https://www.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/get-in-touch/) ![](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/hubfs/Web%20page/cpm-blog-271021.jpg) ### 03 Nov 2021 # [How Much does a Foundry Pattern Cost?](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk) ![](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/hubfs/Products%20(tooling)/Aluminium-horizontal-Disamatic-pattern-1.jpeg) A foundry pattern is a tool used to produce the sand moulds from which castings are made (from molten metal). The pattern impression is essentially a replica of the casting. So, if you’re a foundry, and unless sand printing is an option for you, you’re going to need a pattern with which to make your moulds. And unless it’s a duplicate, replacing a worn-out or missing original, the new pattern will be unique. And so will its cost. But exactly how much will this cost be? Quite simply, it all depends on your **specification**. The five elements of your specification that will affect pattern cost are: - the casting process; - the casting geometry; - the pattern material; - the number of pattern impressions; and - the pattern construction. Read on to understand how these elements influence the cost of pattern equipment. ## **The Process ** Usually determined by the required volume of castings, the process will have a huge influence on pattern equipment cost. Handmoulding usually only needs one simple, lightweight pattern, which will obviously be far less costly than the metallic, multi impression tools needed for volume production. ## **The Casting Geometry ** The geometry of your casting will hugely influence the complexity (and cost) of the required pattern. Simple castings with no internal geometry will usually only need relatively cheap, simple patterns. Detailed castings with extensive internal form will require far more complicated tooling, the cost for which will, unsurprisingly, be far greater. ## **The Pattern Material** Low density tooling board or wood are suitable for handmoulding or low volume patterns. They cost the least to buy and take the patternmaker the least amount of time to produce patterns from. Cast iron or steel are the most expensive options, usually reserved for patterns needed for high volume production runs. As a rule of thumb, material will usually account for approximately 10% of your pattern cost. ## **The Pattern Impressions** A difficult balancing act when specifying patterns – more impressions means that a single tool can produce more castings, but more impressions means a more expensive pattern. ## **The Pattern Construction** The more separate elements there are to a pattern (running system, lifting inserts, steel wear strips, brass inserts for improved moulding, and so on), the longer it will take to manufacture and assemble and so the more expensive it will be. Going the integral route and incorporating all features into one CAD model for machining from a single billet of material will yield the greatest pattern cost benefits. The simpler the construction of the pattern, the lower the cost. There is no ‘one size fits all’ price – your pattern costs will vary according to your specifications. It’s crucial that you get this right – right material, right number of impressions, and so on – to suit both your production requirement *and* your budget. Your patternmaker will be able to discuss your requirement with you. And if they’re a good supplier, they’ll work with you to come up with a specification that gives you the right tool at the right price. --- Read More: [Getting The Best Quote From Your Foundry Tooling Supplier ](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/best-quote-foundry-tooling-supplier) [Buy Better Foundry Patterns by Asking These Questions](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/buy-better-foundry-patterns-by-asking-these-questions) [How Much Does Pattern Equipment Cost?: Hidden Costs](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/pattern-equipment-hidden-costs) --- ## **Foundry Pattern Price Examples** Want to get a feel for how much your pattern will cost? Here are some examples of a variety of patterns, along with an indication of how much they could cost: ![Hand mould pattern](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Products%20(tooling)/Hand%20mould%20pattern.jpg?width=706&name=Hand%20mould%20pattern.jpg)Hand mould. A small pattern (170 x 120 x 95mm) produced from a medium density tooling board (in this case, OB0652). £750 ![Airset pattern produced from tooling board](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Products%20(tooling)/Airset%20pattern%20produced%20from%20tooling%20board.jpg?width=335&name=Airset%20pattern%20produced%20from%20tooling%20board.jpg) Airset. A manifold pattern produced from a denser tooling board (OBO750), with an integral running system and fitted with single skin airset frames. £3,000 ![Tooling board horizontal Disamatic pattern](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Products%20(tooling)/Tooling%20board%20horizontal%20Disamatic%20pattern.jpg?width=335&name=Tooling%20board%20horizontal%20Disamatic%20pattern.jpg) Prototype. A production-ready pattern, produced from a high density (high wear resistance) tooling board, with an integral running system, and steel corner inserts (for lifting). £4,000 ![Aluminium horizontal Disamatic pattern](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Products%20(tooling)/Aluminium%20horizontal%20Disamatic%20pattern.jpg?width=335&name=Aluminium%20horizontal%20Disamatic%20pattern.jpg) Production. A multi-impression cast iron pattern, machined from solid billet with an integral running system for optimum performance and used on a horizontal moulding line. £22,000 ## How to find out your cost for sure To find out exactly how much your pattern equipment is going to cost, you'll need to get a quote.  Send your data (CAD model, 2D drawing) and pattern specification (material, impression numbers, process etc), and we’ll be happy to give you a budgetary indicator, or a full quotation if preferred. [![Get a price](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/8471019/db40a96b-bae1-459f-a300-b35a9b812a2e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/8471019/db40a96b-bae1-459f-a300-b35a9b812a2e) So, there you have it. Our guide to how much your foundry pattern will cost! Learn more about how you can save both time and money sourcing foundry patterns with our free guide, [Buying Foundry Tooling Better. ](https://content.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/buying-foundry-tooling-better) For more content like this, follow us on LinkedIn by clicking the button below.   ### Categories - [Pricing and cost (13)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/tag/pricing-and-cost) - [Company News (12)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/tag/company-news) - [Fixtures (11)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/tag/fixtures) - [Foundry (6)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/tag/foundry) - [Mould tooling (6)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/tag/mould-tooling) - [CNC (3)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/tag/cnc) - [Problems and solutions (3)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/tag/problems-and-solutions) - [Composite & Motorsport (1)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/tag/composite-motorsport) - [Facility (1)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/tag/facility) - [Materials (1)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/tag/materials) - [Quality (1)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/tag/quality) see all ### Archives - [March 2022 (7)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/archive/2022/03) - [May 2021 (5)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/archive/2021/05) - [November 2021 (5)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/archive/2021/11) - [March 2021 (4)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/archive/2021/03) - [August 2021 (3)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/archive/2021/08) - [August 2014 (2)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/archive/2014/08) - [April 2021 (2)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/archive/2021/04) - [October 2021 (2)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/archive/2021/10) - [June 2014 (1)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/archive/2014/06) - [September 2014 (1)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/archive/2014/09) - [November 2014 (1)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/archive/2014/11) - [May 2017 (1)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/archive/2017/05) - [March 2018 (1)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/archive/2018/03) - [February 2020 (1)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/archive/2020/02) - [June 2021 (1)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/archive/2021/06) - [September 2021 (1)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/archive/2021/09) - [January 2022 (1)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/archive/2022/01) - [April 2022 (1)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/archive/2022/04) - [August 2022 (1)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/archive/2022/08) - [October 2022 (1)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/archive/2022/10) - [March 2023 (1)](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/archive/2023/03) see all Central Patternmaking Limited Stringes Lane Willenhall West Midlands WV13 1LU [01902 605205](tel:01902605205) [enquiries@centralpatternmaking.co.uk](mailto:enquiries@centralpatternmaking.co.uk) [![Central Patternmaking Limited](https://blog.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CentralPatternMaking_September2021/images/cpm-footer-white.svg "Central Patternmaking Limited")](https://www.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/) ##### © Central Patternmaking 2021 - [Privacy Policy](https://www.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/privacy-policy/) - [Cookie Policy](https://www.centralpatternmaking.co.uk/cookie-policy/)