Ok, quick question...why Titanium? Why not a more affordable metal like aluminum or stainless steel?
Is it for the sole purpose of making a premium product with higher profit margins? Or does it actually have a working advantage over all other options?
It started with all the working advantages and then I realized there was a marketing advantage as well and the decision was made. I went with titanium (grade 5) initially because:
1. It's incredibly corrosion resistant.
2. It's lighter than a stainless steel.
3. It's far stronger than aluminum and most other readily available metals.
4. It cuts REALLY well with water or laser so it's easier to maintain my "aerospace/medical grade tolerances."
5. The added material cost is a tiny portion of the overall product cost.
Aluminum: If I used aluminum, I'm not sure it would be strong enough. Aluminum wears over time. I want these lasting decades so Aluminum is out.
Stainless steel: Assuming 316, it is less expensive, but not by much. I think I'd cut my costs on the product by about $3 each. The reduction is customer pricing wouldn't be much more than that. I pay more for the machining services than I do the Titanium. The shell actually costs me more than the Titanium AND cutting services combined because there are so few printing machines capable of this high-end printing out there. Each printer I use costs $250k-$1M. There are only a few around the world that offer third party commercial printing and I don't order enough to get deep discounting on the jobs I order.
There's also definitely a marketing benefit with Titanium. Titanium is a better metal, period. When products are made from real, grade 5 or higher, titanium it's a sign that the product is worth the best metal around. It grabs attention. The point number 4 above isn't my saying, that's from two vendors. They told me I'm asking for medical/aerospace grade tolerances and edge finish and that they'd have a hard time. When I approach new vendors that's the first question I get: "Tight tolerance grade 5 Titanium parts and "MD" and the end of the business name - Is this for medial use, maybe aerospace?" They're always a bit thrown off when I tell them, "No it's actually to improve a Toyota key."
It's an expensive item, I know. But look at the response from anybody that's bought one and they'll say the same thing over and over and over: "Totally worth it." It's highly refined and I don't think you'll find a better value "mod" or "upgrade" for your car. It's satisfying every time you grab your keys.
Jeez, that response got away from me. Sorry for the wall of text.
