Really? I'm surprised you say that. A company that makes it's living from small parts design and execution. Don't know about the metal printers, but plastic ones are way down in price. Way under k$100. A bottle cap manufacturer I know has it. Why not SRAM?

It's funny. When I complain about high bike stuff pricing that seems out of line with common sense about manufacturing costs, folks pile on about all the extra costs of a major player doing business, like R&D. Now the first time I attribute an R&D capability to a big bike parts company, you tell me they probably don't have it. Gotta love the 41.