From:  clare at snyder.on.ca
Newsgroups: rec.crafts.metalworking misc.consumers.frugal-living sci.electronics.repair alt.home.repair misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: Planned Obselescence....A Good Thing?
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2007 19:39:16 -0500

On Tue, 16 Jan 2007 10:01:43 +1100, "Rod Speed"
 wrote:

>clare at snyder.on.ca wrote
>> Rod Speed  wrote
>>> Too_Many_Tools  wrote
>
>>>>> Having BTDT (for 30+ yrs) w/ several engineering/manufacturing
>>>>> firms from very large to start-ups which grew until were bought by
>>>>> very large, I have to agree w/ Rick here...while there are MBAs and
>>>>> accountants, and they have very important functions, in none of
>>>>> these places did they dictate to Engineering nor were "engineers
>>>>> are under the thumb of accountants."  As Rick says, where the
>>>>> cost-accounting enters the design phase is in trying to make a
>>>>> price-point which is a function of market niche, competition,
>>>>> timing, comparative product advantage vis a vis competitors',
>>>>> etc., etc., etc., ...  After that, it then becomes an engineering
>>>>> problem of how to design, fabricate and distribute (and support)
>>>>> the product.  As one moves from more complex, costly products to
>>>>> less expensive, the compromises to accomplish the goal become more
>>>>> severe.  If your product is a plastic toy to try to sell millions,
>>>>> the margin per item has to be miniscule.  If, otoh, you're
>>>>> building a high-end anything, that is a different set of
>>>>> constraints.  Either way, unless the product can be designed and
>>>>> manufactured and ultimately, sold for a profit, there won't be any
>>>>> more company so the cost point is as important as anything else.
>
>>>> While I respect your opinion, it sounds like you are reading
>>>> straight from a textbook.
>
>>>> After decades in manufacturing, I can tell you
>>>> that I have never seen it work that way.
>
>>>> Reality is much different than the academic BS model....
>>>> see Dilbert for a real life reference.
>
>>> Nothing like real life.
>
>>>> Ever wonder why Dilbert and the television show
>>>> "The Office" are so popular...because they are so true.
>
>>> Nope, because they exaggerate what really happens.
>
>>> That is what caricatures have always been about.
>
>>>> What you neatly gross over is what happens when
>>>> engineering says it can't make a product based on
>>>> the imaginary price point...who then decides?
>
>>> Its never that black and white either.
>
>>>> I will give you a hint....it ain't engineering.
>
>>> It aint the bean counters either if it isnt possible, stupid.
>
>> Not stupid. It IS the bean counters - and for the
>> pricepoint DICTATED it is impossible to make a
>> QUALITY product with any kind of consistency.
>
>Utterly mangled all over again. Its actually the engineers that
>choose to make things in a way that minimises the cost of
>manufacturer, and maximises the reliability, even if that does
>produce a product that is difficult or impractical to repair if it fails.
>
>Most obviously with plugpacks which cant be opened without
>physically breaking them, and molded power cords etc.

It's the bean counters that dictate the quality or lack thereof that
makes the part failure prone in the first place, and glue is a lot
cheaper than screws. Moulded power cords, on the other hand, are not
only CHEAPER, but "more reliable" They are cheaper to make than just
the replaceable end itself because they are moulded in place.
>
>> So the customer becomes the QC department.
>
>No they dont. And thats got nothing to do with his stupid claim
>about who gets to decide how things are constructed anyway.

This is getting to be like mud wrestling with a pig.
>


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