"I'm not sure we should lay out $265,000 for that automated welding machine, " said Jim Alder, president of the Superior Equipment Company. That's a lot of money, and it would cost us $78,000 for software and installation, and another $3, 400 every month just to maintain the thing. In addition, the manufacturer admits that it would cost $41,000 more at the end of three years to replace worn-out parts." l admit it's a lot of money, " said Franci Rogers, the controller. "But you know the turnover problem we've had with the welding crew. This machine would replace six welders at a cost savings of $108,000 per year. And we would save another $6, 900 per year in reduced material waste. When you figure that the automated welder would last for six years, I'm sure the return would be greater than our 19% required rate of return." I'm still not convinced, " countered Mr. Alder. "We can only get $14,000 scrap value out of our old welding equipment if we sell it now, and in six years the new machine will only be worth $24,000 for parts. But have your people work up the figures and we'll talk about them at the executive committee meeting tomorrow." Click here to view Exhibit 8B-1 and Exhibit 8B-2, to determine the appropriate discount factor(s) using tables. Required: Compute the annual net cost savings promised by the automated welding machine