For our models, cocoapods and mlmodels + apps that don't use frameworks doesn't work. Originally we included the models as resources and compiled them on the device, but this adds complexity and overhead. Thus, we include generated model source code and the associated mlmodelc data output from xcode directly in our pod instead of letting the hosting apps translate mlmodels into these resources.
To get the mlmodelc directories, first you need to add the mlmodel files to the project as source and re-install the pod in the Example app. Then, from the Example directory you can run:
$ xcodebuild -workspace CardScan.xcworkspace
-scheme CardScan-Example
-derivedDataPath test_output
-configuration Debug
-sdk iphoneos build-for-testing
And the resulting mlmodelc files will be in:
$ ls test_output/Build/Products/Debug-iphoneos/CardScan/CardScan.framework/*.mlmodelc