I'm thinking of getting rid of the tech grid idea and going with open-ended tech levels instead. Projectile Weapons alone has 21 tech areas and 10 x 10 x 10 components (well, actually, more like 5 times that amount)!
I could then easily add a few areas like "miniaturization" and "ship hardening" or whatever, and not worry about conflicts. And, less math involved!
Thoughts/opinions?