Engineered to fail
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,718
Likes: 11
From: Punta Gorda,FL
Tom
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,990
Likes: 23
From: NC
Woah, just beat me to the terminology!!
'built in obsolescence'
Must be something that happened after the 1950's. I remember looking at my parents wedding album when I was in my 20's. I saw a picture of my mom opening up a very familiar looking wedding present. It was the same toaster that I used that morning, 27 years later.
'built in obsolescence'
Must be something that happened after the 1950's. I remember looking at my parents wedding album when I was in my 20's. I saw a picture of my mom opening up a very familiar looking wedding present. It was the same toaster that I used that morning, 27 years later.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 15
From: West side of indianapolis
I believe that there are cost price points for components that companies wish to achieve so that they can sell a product within a certain price range. Therefore the highest quality components aren't used, so there is a sort of built in obsolescence present in everything that we buy. Remember the lowest bidder usually gets the job.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,602
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
The us auto manufactures in the 70's designed cars to start rusting after two years thinking that people would want a new car at that point. Yeah they wanted a new car but they didn't want an american car. I don't think things are made to last these days. Which is a shame. Everything breaks but when I buy something that breaks before I think it should I don't buy from that company again.
I read an article about our disposable society and how cell phones and computers are obsolete after a couple of years. They mentioned Harleys as the one thing that is made to last..
I read an article about our disposable society and how cell phones and computers are obsolete after a couple of years. They mentioned Harleys as the one thing that is made to last..
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee, WI
I don't!
How many of you believe that companies pay engineers to research the lifetimes of components/parts in any/all products so that they fail in a pre determined time, or do you just think that they're putting cheaper components in, and they fail sooner than expected? I've heard folks say that they fail just after warranties are up.
- A "target" life expectancy is set.
- It's impossible to test for 100% of the manufactured parts, so engineers choose to test for a reliability % with another % of confidence that they can achieve the life expectancy. This means that they design a test to proof that the mayority of their products will last beyond the target. Some of them will fail before time, but most will last longer.
- How long beyond the target? That costs money to test, so they stop when they finish their test.
- How they set the target? Depends of the product. For consumer electronics is very short (~2 years because they get obsolete), for home appliances is a lot longer (~10 years, because you'll keep your fridge for a long time).
To have a high level of confidence of the life expectancy of the product, is common practice (at least where I work) to test for twice the target life expectancy. This is why selling extended warranties is such a good business. Only a very low % of buyers get to use it.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 533
Likes: 2
From: Oak Creek, WI
I work for an engine company- engines and other products are engineered to balance COST versus life span. Sure, can you build a product that will last forever, yes, just about, but it would be so expensive it would not sell. Then the Chinese make something cheap that looks the same and everyone buys it. The reality is that you get what you pay for, and most are not willing to pay.
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