Programmed a job using CAM software, fixed cost, guarenteed to make a good part. Done.
Now the customer wants my source file so he can turn it over to someone else to do the optimizing.
I spent 100 hours of my own time developing this source. Within it is embedded my knowledge as well as techniques I learned through 20+ years experience. Some of the attributes of the file:
It generates G-code free of edits
It is fully verified crash free
It is fully verified against the .stl file to produce an accurate part
And most improtantly, it makes a good part
Do I give this proprietary information and intellecual property to my competition who, just starting in my local market, is undercutting my hourly rate and making unrealistic promises to the customer because that's what he wants to hear?
Do I hold out for the optimization work which I had been counting on and why I spent additional time so I could leverage that effort?
If this file has value, what is it worth?