How effective was Lorica Segmentata?

[richsc]

For all the discussions of the effectiveness of one armor over another, the general assumption seems to be that things are equal for all the vast logistical, technical, administrative, accounting, and financial support issues. Plate iron/steel takes larger chunks reliably mined, processed, paid for and supplied logistically. You could punch tiny rings out of scrap, for instance. Skill levels and labor supply also factor in. Shame we don't have copies of invoices and contracts for this stuff.