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Originally Posted by sanddrag
Thanks for all the input. I was just curious since we have lasercutting companies as sponsors who are willing to make stuff for us. The gear I was referring too would be the PIC 0.7 module one that takes so long to get.
As for wire EDM, I know there's got to be a place within 20 miles (Sun Valley is like the industrial capital of the western United States). I just checked and there is a place in Chatsworth. I have know idea how much such a thing costs. I'm guessing the increased cost of a custom gear would not be favorable over the 4-7 week waiting period of the PIC gear. Has ever had a gear cut who could tell me how much? Thanks.
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I've never actually had a gear cut. A few years ago I did some research into who to go to and what it would take to get the work done. Then FIRST went and threw open the Parts List. So I never actually needed to use the information.
I seem to remember Dr Joe saying something about paying $60 for a custom aluminum sprocket when the off-the-shelf steel one was $40. But that was two or three years ago. The cost for EDM is driven by the material to be cut, its thickness, the kerf width (very small kerfs are more expensive, probably not an issue here), and the length of the cut. For a real small gear like that, the setup charge will probably be the biggest item. I would expect some premium over an off-the shelf item, but it shouldn't be more than twice a stock part and 150% would be reasonable.
I'm sure you know how to pull the "But we're just a poor high school robot team" thing to lower the cost. Be sure to point out that you are a future engineer (and therefore a potential customer). If you're willing to wait until they have some time the machine isn't scheduled for a paying job, then you might even get it free.