Clinical, Diagnostics & Lab Consumables Manufacturing worked example

Diagnostic Cartridge Cost at 99% cartridges expected to pass release and packaging: a worked example

Push cartridges expected to pass release and packaging up to 99% and the picture changes. This example computes every intermediate figure at that operating point. a diagnostics or lab consumables team needs to quote cartridge production, compare design or supplier options, and understand lot-level cost drivers for a diagnostic cartridge lot

The inputs for this scenario

  • Diagnostic cartridges in the production lot: 25,000 cartridges (unchanged)
  • Cost per assembled diagnostic cartridge: 2.85 $ / cartridge (unchanged)
  • Cartridges expected to pass release and packaging: 99 % (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 94)
  • Fixed molding, reagent fill, assembly setup, and validation cost: 18,500 $ (unchanged)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (Variable diagnostic cartridge cost = diagnostic cartridges in the production lot × cost per assembled diagnostic cartridge × cartridges expected to pass release and packaging) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 89,038 total diagnostic cartridge lot cost for total diagnostic cartridge lot cost, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 3.56 $ / piece for cost per assembled diagnostic cartridge.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 70,538 $ for variable diagnostic cartridge cost.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 18,500 $ for fixed molding, reagent fill, assembly setup, and validation cost.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where cartridges expected to pass release and packaging sits at 94% and the headline result is 85,475 total diagnostic cartridge lot cost, this scenario comes in 4.17% above the baseline at 89,038 total diagnostic cartridge lot cost.
  • It computes the total cost of a diagnostic cartridge lot by combining the yield-weighted variable assembly cost with the fixed setup and validation overhead, then divides to show cost per cartridge actually produced. The value of this scenario is the size of the gap it exposes: that gap, priced out over a year, is the budget you can justify spending to close it.

Results at a glance

  • Total diagnostic cartridge lot cost: 89,038 total diagnostic cartridge lot cost (headline result)
  • Cost per assembled diagnostic cartridge: 3.56 $ / piece
  • Variable diagnostic cartridge cost: 70,538 $
  • Fixed molding, reagent fill, assembly setup, and validation cost: 18,500 $

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live Diagnostic Cartridge Cost calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.