Abstract: Apparatus for forming molded shapes such as shell molds is disclosed which features a transport mechanism advancing a pattern carrier assembly progressively through a mold mix dispensing station, an excess mix discharging station, through an oven where the mold is cured, and thence to a mold unloading station. The pattern carrier assembly is then retracted back through the curing oven where the pattern or patterns are preheated prior to retraction to the initial mix dispensing station, to be in position for initiation of another cycle. The transport mechanism includes a power cylinder reciprocating a yoke assembly by means of a connected operator rod. The pattern carrier plate is rotatably supported on the yoke assembly so that a rack and pinion means interacting with the pattern plate will produce a mix discharging rotation of the pattern carrier plate after exiting from the mix dispensing station.