"William K. Borsum" wrote:

> A couple of thoughts come to mind---
> The part you are cloning--is it very expensive?

Relatively

>  What is the profit margin
> like?

Worth the trouble

>
> Once developed, can you sell the result at a competitive price, recover
> your investment, and still make a profit?

Certainly, if the market is interested (the big if).

>
> Will the manufacturer of the original part offer it as an OEM product with
> your client's name one it?
>

Very unlikely

The trouble here is that the market is cornered by the competition, and there
is a large installed base.  If we cannot offer a plug repacement, offering
lower cost (there is room), then we will not get the market acceptance to play
the game at all.  So even if we do not make a killing in the first round, we
would position ourselves for the second round (entire systems).

Chris