Cores are used in casting to produce hollow spaces or internal features. There are different types of cores classified by their material, production process, or placement in the mold. Dry sand cores are made separately from the mold using core sand, then baked to harden. Key steps in core production are preparing core sand, making the cores using a core box, baking the hardened cores, and finishing before placement in molds. Cores allow castings to have complex internal or recessed features.