diddy Where did you ever come up with those figures?
Tool and die machinist don't work for peanuts, probably cost upwards of $10 million for the mold and another 3-5 million to tweak it in.
I had a (steel)plastic injection mold built in 1978,consisting of a two piece case and 6 working parts casting a complete unit for assembly,(similar to a hair dryer,)which would be more complicated than what I envision a flashlight like case to house the meth gun parts.
I realized the economy has changed considerably since 1978, but at that time the mold complete to the molder cost me $22,000, complete parts off each mold cost $1.25.
Even if the ecconomy has quadrupled since then your $10 million would belong to the space program contractors.
I would envision such a steel mold to cast ,two plastic R&L housing parts, plus some sort of molded clamping device to be about $75,000 to 100,000. Plus it is likely that if quantities are envisioned before hand (depending on size)the mold could spit out two or three sets at a time for another $25,000.
One makes a wooden model of the finished unit. Takes a plastic mold of each half,Right and Left,male and female.Sets each half on a duplicating machine and cuts out each shape in a block of steel, Sets each completed block in a mold base when all required pieces are in place,it is just a matter of,anchoring, channeling the plastic to each unit, venting to release air,and when ready should produce all the parts,in about 1 minute intevals.
I know I made it sound simple ,but $10 million,no way.
That IMO is why we have seen two entirely different versions of hair dryers being converted to testing the methgun.
Nobody in their right mind would build a mold before proof of product, and ready made similarities (though cause for ridicule) are the only sane way to go.
Whether it works or not ,I haven't a clue, But IMO they are going about it the right way.
AI
