Ouchville.
I have good news and bad news.
Good: the first quote is in - you are well advised to tour this link. I see why Kevin likes ProtoMold. It's amazing the kind of analysis that can be done now.
Bad: The cost is too high: the
net price is $11,000 before taxes, to make just 2000 pairs of keys, or
just under enough for 48 keyboards, assuming no waste. This is about double what the estimating tools of some plastics molding places had suggested.
That's $230 for a set of 88 keys not including taxes and shipping and assuming my time is free. Say $300 in delivered cost to you. I doubt many would buy kits at that price.
That's $230 for a set of 88 keys not including taxes and shipping and assuming my time is free. Say $300 in delivered cost to you. I doubt many would buy kits at that price.
After that the next 2000 keys would cost $5,484, or $110 per keyboard, still pretty high.
Also, the capital investment is pretty high. I have $2k to
spare in mad money (I have a certified angel for a wife) but, $9k is more than I'd planned on
borrowing.
This blows away my plan to have the optimal conversion kit rolling out the door in a few weeks. Sorry to renege on my promise.
My options are three:
1) Find someone who can make the keys for less. I have a patternmaker cousin who I will call on, and see what both local Vancouver companies and Hong Kong & Indian companies charge. However, they will not be as quick as Protomold.
2) Redesign the keys to lower manufacturing costs. This would make keys that you would have to glue or snap together, but would be about half of the cost.
3) Manufacture in other ways, e.g. rubber & resin molds
1) Find someone who can make the keys for less. I have a patternmaker cousin who I will call on, and see what both local Vancouver companies and Hong Kong & Indian companies charge. However, they will not be as quick as Protomold.
2) Redesign the keys to lower manufacturing costs. This would make keys that you would have to glue or snap together, but would be about half of the cost.
3) Manufacture in other ways, e.g. rubber & resin molds
Ken.
From Protomold:
jammer key ProtoQuote link: http://www.protomold.com/pq/?p=1525856gxw
Tooling cost: $5,510
- Parts@ $2.49: $62
- Delivery premium: $0
- Material charge: $0
- TotalUSD: $5,572
| ORDERS UP TO 2000 PARTS |
| Enter lot size |
- Price/part: $2.49
- Quantity: 2000
- Setup charge: $500
- Delivery premium: $0
- Total USD: $5,480
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