[ImprovedSilence]

>>"How much does it cost to build the machine that mills the case out of a block of aluminum?"

That costs Apple nothing, it costs the manufacture a set dollar amount, which it then recoups and then some by selling cases to apple for $x.xx. So technically, the cost for building the machine to mill aluminum is already accounted for in the bill of materials.

[saturdaysaint]

Do you have specific knowledge of Apple and Foxconn's relationship? Tooling costs are routinely passed from suppliers to finished goods makers.

[goatforce5]

My understanding is if Apple discovers the machinery to make their cases (or a part of their widget or whatever they want) doesn't exist, they'll pull out their checkbooks to make sure the machinery and factories get built.

E.g. http://www.core77.com/blog/materials/apple_continues_pushing...