Hi
I disagree, foundries are certainly fewer than yesteryear, but for certain products casting just cannot be beaten for price/performance.Not saying that they are wrong just in a few years printing will replace most of that and CI will die out from machine tools as well. Composites will replace them, printed or RTM or cold cast so may as well get on the bandwagon now. I could make Carbon Fibre parts cheaper then CI parts maybe if the volume was there.
Printed metal parts are mega expensive by comparison, that is dollars/kg.
Composites for all their versatility are still quite expensive and unless fibre reinforced low stiffness, about 1/3 that of steel and about 1/2 of grey cast iron.
When it comes right down to it there is a solution that has the required properties and you could achieve that result in a number of different ways, casting is one of them.
You seem to be suggesting that because casting is an old process that it is going to be obsolete.......and my opinion on that notion is 'nonsense'.
May I suggest you look around for a foundry in your area. If my experience is anything to go by you'll find superbly experienced tradesman, whose knowledge and confidence
will impress.
Craig