Drakon wrote:Obviously I want something that just plugs into the original dvd drive connector port, it's just a smarter idea.
smarter idea??
really?
i hope the following information puts an end once and for all to anyone who thinks a high quality reproduction dvd connector can be made and sold at a very low cost.
lets say someone wants to make 100 connectors:
32 pins x 100 = 3200 pins
after conferring with my connections i receive a quote for custom pins built to the exact specification required for the disc drive connector...minimum order is 3500 pins so only 300 extra for loss/mistakes...
now lets look at the quote for these pins:
Code: Select all
Item: 1
Product NO: Pin
Material: phosphor bronze and partial gold plating
QTY: 1/piece
Mould Cost: 0
Unit price: US$0.5833
Remarks: MOQ:3500
Item: 2
Product NO: Pin
Material: phosphor bronze and partial gold plating
QTY: 1/piece
Mould Cost: US$1,333.33
Unit price: US$0.018
Remarks: MOQ:90K
when you do the math:
quote #1 costs $2041.55
quote #2 costs $17533.33
obviously there is no need to get the bulk discount for 90K pins...and since the amount of pins required to make 100 adapters is close to the minimum order amount, then we will use the price of $2041.55.
$2041.55 / 100 connectors = $20.4155 starting cost just for the pins alone per 1 connector
now about the physical connector, you think a homemade edge connector is a great solution for cost savings?
you think an edge connector will be easy to make to the exact specification required?
for a connector like that, something that will be sold to other members, it would be best to have it professionally made
from discussions with connector manufactures, the average minimum quantity is ~10k units @ $0.68
a cheaper price means more units ordered, 50k units @ $0.23
do the math:
10k connectors * $0.68 = $6800
50k connectors * $0.23 = $11500
so we will use the cheapest cost once again:
$6800 / 100 connectors = $68 starting cost just for the physical connector alone per 1 connector
next thing: the connector manufacturer may or may not require the pins at time of connector build, if they do, then there will surely be an additional fee. if they do not require the pins at time of build, then the pins will still need to make their way into th connector somehow...you think you can insert 3200 pins into 100 connectors with 0% error/failure ??
if there is an assembly fee, its best to pay it and will most likely cost an additional $1000 minimum (up to $3000)
$1000 / 100 connectors = 10$ total cost for assembly fee per 1 connector
.......
grand total:
$20.4155 pins
$68 physical connector
$10 assembly fee
--------------------------
$98.4155 total manufactured cost per 1 connector
how much do you think you can sell a connector that has a manufactured unit cost of 100$?
110$?? maybe 115$ if your lucky
so that comes out to spending ~$10,000 out of pocket to make a total profit of ~$1500
i really hope this "smarter idea" includes 100 people willing to pay at least $100 for a connector that could just as easily be had for free from a dead drive...
...and dont forget: a connector alone is useless...
you will still need to manufacturer 100 PCBs to mount the connector and route signals for 100 FFC connectors
unless the "smarter idea" is to pay a manufactured unit cost of 100$ per connector just to solder wireporn and hotglue everything together because obviously hotglue is a smarter choice compared to epoxy right...
so in the end you end up with a custom connector that has wires hanging all over the place, held together by a glob of crap, going to a generic FFC to dip adapter board...
good luck with that smart idea
