Hi,
I was looking for a case for my project which I intend to manufacture and sell when done, basically I want the height to be 3 cm to be able to put 2 18650 batteries on a surface mount holder, and around 12x8 or 15x10 dimensions. So I have found this one:
http://uk.farnell.com/takachi/pf15-3-10w/instrument-enclosure-comm-abs/dp/2478786 which I REALLY like and it is so perfect for the application.
I had another choice to use something cheap like this:
http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/bud-industries/CU-1941/377-2068-ND/439228 and have the PCB to be the user interface. However, I have a usb-micro-b connector and +,- outputs (power supply) say gold plated binding posts which can not be on top, putting them on the sides requires customization of this simple box which I won't do. Not to mention the LCD!
To cut it short, I quoted the company (Takichi) which manufactures the first enclosure and told them about the holes and printings to be done... they gave me this rough estimate:
for a quantity of 50:
enclosure: 3.92$/unit.
inkjet printing: 4.73$/unit.
total per unit: 11.55$
Total order: 577.5
Inkjet initial cost: 62$.
Add around 100$ shipping = 739.5$ for 50 pieces.
For 100 pieces... total boards = 1071$ + 61$ + 100$ (shipping) = 1232$.
Now these prices are way too much! Maybe I didn't have the correct idea about customization but I read people say it is cheap. While the simple box costs around 2$.
So what do you think? is this what people pay for customizing their off-the-shelf cases? I mean 12-15$ for one case for 50,100 quantity (the most I can do). And it doesn't include the prototypes that I will order to find the right settings!
Please guide me to the best choice for a USB powered portable variable power supply that would sell roughly 70-120$.
Thanks!
UPDATE: I did a total estimation including PCBs, customized enclosures, components, shipping, customs,... it turned out around 3500$ for 100 units (maybe 4000$ as a far extreme estimate). Do you find this normal for 100 units? how much this thing to be sold? I think of 70-120$ range.