What is "loam plate"

Loam \Loam\ (l[=o]m), n. [AS. l[=a]m; akin to D. leem, G. lehm, and E. lime. See 4th Lime.]

1. A kind of soil; an earthy mixture of clay and sand, with organic matter to which its fertility is chiefly due.

   We wash a wall of loam; we labor in vain.
   --Hooker.

2. (Founding) A mixture of sand, clay, and other materials, used in making molds for large castings, often without a pattern.

   Loam mold (Founding), a mold made with loam. See Loam, n., 2.

   Loam molding, the process or business of making loam molds.

   Loam plate, an iron plate upon which a section of a loam mold rests, or from which it is suspended.

   Loam work, loam molding or loam molds.