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The cost of porcelain is similarly constrained by labor, energy cost, and space. I learned a lot from a domestic slip-casting company as a kid. It taught me b
by Joel_Mckay 3y ago
The cost of porcelain is similarly constrained by labor, energy cost, and space.
I learned a lot from a domestic slip-casting company as a kid. It taught me big heavy things are not economical to ship, and thus remain locally competitive in a global market even when competitors are 100% subsidized. Amazon shifted this calculus a bit, but is still constrained by energy/fuel costs.
The power of plastic is automated cycle times under 45 seconds, minimum infrastructure needs, and shipping weight. In a way, Tesla Giga Press technology leverages similar strategies for Aluminum parts.
- sct202 3y agoThat press you mentioned in an interesting example of the globalization of machine tools. Commissioned by an American company and made in Italy by a Hong Kong Chinese owned company, which now makes them in China.
- Joel_Mckay 3y agoThere is no longer enough domestic infrastructure to fabricate complex equipment within a competitive budget.
- jwagenet 3y agoIt seems like domestic manufacturers weren’t able to compete on price or quality in the decades preceding the collapse of the industry either.
- Joel_Mckay 3y agoHard to say really... if foreign labor is subsidized under communist strategic policy, than it is more of a loss-leader rather than rational competition. Value blindness is often accepted in consumer markets, but can prove fatal in industrial or aerospace products. Hence the rules silly people try to work around to make more money. =)