Engineering Tools

Hardware Economics Calculator

Model production economics before the budget commits, unit cost at volume, upfront capital, monthly burn, and the risks worth retiring early. A directional model; the verified numbers come from Engineering Cost Modelling.

Hardware inputs

Configure the target build to model global manufacturing economics.

01 · Target run volume 5,000 units
1001k5k50k100k500k
02 · Prototype BOM cost *
$
03 · Hardware complexity
Simple Single PCB, ESP32 Medium Custom PCB, battery High Multi-PCB, power/RF Enterprise Industrial / medical
04 · Wireless connectivity
None Wi-Fi Bluetooth Cellular LTE Cellular NB-IoT Satellite
05 · Estimated failure rate 1.0%
0.1% · tight QC5%10% · loose
06 · Target selling price (optional)
$
Direct unit cost $47.90
Bulk BOM $38.25
Upfront capital $88,000
Certification $8,000
Monthly operating burn $1,450
Support $1,000/mo
Investor readiness 79 /100
Grade · Fundable
Unit cost allocation
Per unit $47.90
BOM vs scaled unit cost
$45.00
Proto BOM
$47.90
Direct FOB
$65.50
Amortized

Amortized unit spreads upfront capital across the full run volume.

Capital risk audit 0
Manufacturing readiness (MRL)

Check the milestones already complete to grade suitability for direct factory transfer.

Readiness
30 /100
Early proof-of-concept (MRL 2-3)
Cost-reduction opportunities Est. savings
Current $47.90
Delta -10%
Optimized $43.11
Annual $23,950

BOM consolidation. Replacing discrete regulators with integrated PMICs and removing redundant microcontrollers cuts assembly-layer cost.

Enclosure tooling. Tuning draft angles and wall thickness lowers injection-mould cycle time and reject rate.

Better Devices strategic advisory

A directional model. Better Devices models true build cost across best, base, and worst case in Engineering Cost Modelling.

Pressure-test this estimate

Estimates are directional, benchmarked against bulk-market IC pricing and typical EMS terms. Actual figures depend on final design, sourcing, and certification scope.

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