When a molded article is obtained by which foamed sand is packed into a metallic mold, heated and solidified, vapor and gas that have been generated through the heating and solidification of the foamed sand are smoothly discharged from the cavity.
A cavity C is formed by clamping a metallic mold 2, and foamed sand S is packed into the cavity C. When heating and solidifying the foamed sand S, a mold clamping force is reduced to form a slight gap L in the metallic mold 2 while maintaining the cavity C. Gas and water vapor that are generated when heating and solidifying the foamed sand S can be smoothly discharged from within the cavity C to the outside through the gap L, and thus the baking time of the foamed sand S can be shortened. Even if solidified binder accumulates on slits 16, gas and water vapor can be reliably discharged from within the cavity C to the outside via the gap.