Minimize Cost

To minimize cost in a modular design:

1. Start by Basic Calculations which should include the cost.
2. Redesign for simplicity
3. Remove unnecessary parts
4. Shrink parts as much as possible
5. Reduce weight
6. Maximize part redundancy
7. Minimize relative cost (cost compared to equivalent machines) by increasing performance (strength, power)
8. Increase lifetime by using heavier parts to improve lifetime cost, measured as Cost/[(Years of Service)/10].
9. Retain power and performance