Foundries have played a part in my work and my teaching. Many moons ago, under the tutelage and encouragement of John Ruppert, Pat Burke and I designed and fabricated a cupola for casting iron at University of Maryland, College Park. The furnace is capable of producing 800 pounds of iron a tap. We both have stayed involved with pours.
Pat and I are also principles of Chester River Casting on the eastern shore of Maryland, where we have a foundry utilizing scrap metal for bronze.
Pix of iron pours at UMD
Pix from my recent travels to Sloss furnace
Pix of bronze and aluminum pour at Chester River Casting
Video, pouring at Chester River Casting