Don't need it. Lost wax method still works for things that don't need tight machining.
Just cast your connecting rod from the computer created wax model and do a little clean up machining.
Won't work with crankshafts, but 5 axis numeric controlled machines can do that. And those are getting cheaper, too.
/johnny
Casted rod maybe for the lawnmower, not for a Drag Car. Yes lost wax is cool and the molds could be done via the printer, they are doing it now in fact. On the cranks, they are using a 5 axis with a welding rod in the hand of the robot if you will and are building things like fuselage bulkheads for the F-35 with just some finish machining needed. a crank could be made this way, I am not sure about the gran structure etc, but if it good for an F-35 Fuselage, it’s got my attention.