[Tallguy]

Tool & Die Making has long been poorly understood by people who should know better. Customers for these tools often neglect the time & expense needed to 'condition' a new tool -- expecting the tool builder to 'eat' that cost. When you are constantly pushing both the technological & quality envelopes (simultaneously) it is very difficult to keep a lid on cost. The designer/builder of the tool cannot always forsee where the problems will be. Purchasing managers would often tell these small suppliers that they had better correct these problems at their own expense or they would be cut off from future bidding. This was a major problem even before foreign competition became a major factor.

[Poohbah]

Customers for these tools often neglect the time & expense needed to 'condition' a new tool -- expecting the tool builder to 'eat' that cost.

Let me explain the customer's perspective: when I contract for a piece of really expensive equipment, I expect it to be ready for use when it's delivered and installed. Telling me that I have to spend a lot of my resources to make that tool ready for use is a non-starter.