Cope and Drag refer to the two halves (top and bottom, respectively) of a Pattern or Mold that is used in the Green Sand Casting Method.

Cope and Drag refer to the two halves (top and bottom, respectively) of a Pattern or Mold that is used in the Green Sand Casting Method.

Pattern Allowances:
A pattern is always made larger than the required size of the casting considering the various allowances. These are the allowances which are usually provided in a pattern.

1.Shrinkage or Contraction allowance: The various metals used for casting contract after solidification in the mould. Since the contraction is different for different materials, therefore it will also differ with the form or type of metal.

2.Draft allowance It is a taper which is given to all the vertical walls of the pattern for easy and clean withdraw of the pattern from the sand without damaging the mould cavity. It may be expressed in millimeters on a side or in degrees. The amount of taper varies with the type of patterns. The wooden patterns require more taper than metal patterns because of the greater frictional resistance of the wooden surfaces.

3.Finish or machining allowance The allowance is provided on the pattern if the casting is to be machined. This allowance is given in addition to shrinkage allowance. The amount of this allowance varies from 1.6 to 12.5 mm which depends upon the type of the casting metal, size and the shape of the casting. The ferrous metals require more machining allowance than non ferrous metals.

4.Distortion or camber allowance This allowance is provided on patterns used for casting of such design in which the contraction is not uniform throughout.

5.Rapping or shaking allowance This allowance is provided in the pattern to compensate for the rapping of mould because the pattern is to be rapped before removing it from the mould.

A pattern maker's shrinkage rule considers Only shrinkage allowance.