Some counterweight castings of loaders also require post-casting processing due to other requirements, such as heat treatment, rough machining, etc. The counterweight iron is a relatively economical method for blank forming, and it demonstrates its economic advantages for components with complex shapes. For example, the cylinder blocks and cylinder heads of automotive engines, ship propellers, and other artworks. For some difficult-to-machine components, such as nickel-based alloy components of steam turbines, the counterweight iron method cannot be used for forming. Additionally, the size and weight of the components of the counterweight iron have a wide range of adaptability, and the metal type is not restricted; the components not only have general mechanical properties but also have comprehensive properties such as corrosion resistance and vibration absorption, which cannot be achieved by other metal forming methods such as forging, rolling, welding, and stamping. 

After the counterweight castings of the loader are removed from the self-cast cooling mold, there are gates, risers and metal burrs, and the sand mold counterweight iron castings are still adhered to the sand. Therefore, a cleaning process is necessary. The equipment used for this task includes shot blasting machines, gate and riser cutting machines, etc. The sand casting parting and cleaning process is a labor-intensive procedure, so when choosing the molding method, efforts should be made to create favorable conditions for the parting and cleaning process. 

The counterweight of a loader is a measuring instrument that reproduces the quantity value in a fixed form. Its features are as follows: 

It directly reproduces the unit value itself. That is, the nominal value of the counterweight block is the actual size of the unit value. For example, the measuring block itself reproduces the unit of length. 

2. In terms of structure, there is generally no measuring mechanism, no indicator, or moving components. For example, a gauge block is merely a physical object that reproduces the unit value. 

3. Since there is no measuring device, the measured value cannot be directly obtained without relying on other auxiliary measuring instruments. For instance, gauge blocks need to be paired with an interferometer or an optical measuring instrument. Therefore, it is a passive measuring instrument. 

The functions of the counterweight of an excavator can be classified into three categories: 

1. Standard counterweight blocks. These refer to the counterweight blocks used for measurement or calibration purposes. Examples include gauge blocks, multi-sided prisms, and roughness comparison samples. 

2. General counterweight blocks. Generally refer to the universal counterweight blocks uniformly manufactured by the counterweight block factory. Such as rulers, plates, angle blocks, calipers, etc. 

3. Customized counterweight blocks (or non-standard counterweight blocks). These refer to the counterweight blocks specifically designed and manufactured for measuring a certain parameter of the workpiece. Examples include internal and external groove calipers, wire rope calipers, and spacing gauges, etc.