A cost model for the pultrusion process

A cost model for the pultrusion process was developed to predict the costs for new products. The model determines the effect of process parameter changes and the product production level on unit costs and broadly categorizes the total cost of the product into material, labor, overhead, and depreciation. The model can calculate the cost components in either dollars per unit length (foot or meter) or dollars per unit time (hour). The results of changes in the key variables of raw material cost, line speed, production level, and start-up scrap on unit product costs are presented.