Lorica hamata / segmentata

[M. CVRIVS ALEXANDER]

We have to take into account the labor and skills required to produce the materials before we talk about the construction of armor out of them. Do we know how long did it take to produce a steel plate? What kind of labor (skilled or unskilled) was involved in production of sheet metal? All that would reflect on the expenses involved in production. I would still like to see some research on the issue.