USA is investing in semi-conductor manufacturing, big-time!

If I trust some stranger on the internet, it would appear the USA is spending big-time in computer/electronic/electrical (whatever that means)

Source: https://twitter.com/JosephPolitano/status/1742201310693183778

I took a quick look at the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CHIPS_and_Science_Act

There are a few silicon carbide projects on the list. Perhaps lower cost SiC diodes & FETs are just around the corner.

Great work USA!

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robogary over 1 year ago

Government supplying funding after realizing shortages caused by covid and seeing industries , like automotive, at the mercy of imports.
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robogary over 1 year ago

Government supplying funding after realizing shortages caused by covid and seeing industries , like automotive, at the mercy of imports.
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dang74 over 1 year ago in reply to robogary

I am with you. I too believe this stems from the early stages of Covid when the U.S. suddenly saw the results of 50 years of outsourcing and just how much manufacturing capability was lost in that time. Part of me also thinks this is contingency in case China reclaims Taiwan.
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scottiebabe over 1 year ago in reply to robogary

Definitely agree with those points. I believe even US fabs had to scale back production at times because they couldn't source key consumables in their process.

There is also a lot of world politics here of USA vs China. There are a number of export controls and restrictions for what technologies can be sold to China for semi-conductor design and manufacture.
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bradfordmiller over 1 year ago in reply to robogary

I agree that covid was a proximate cause, but the real devil here was "zero inventory management".
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DAB over 1 year ago in reply to bradfordmiller

Everyone went to the Japanese just in time system, which works fine until the supply dries up.

As a result, most companies are now looking at multiple suppliers and more local suppliers.
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bradfordmiller over 1 year ago in reply to DAB

Which still isn't as useful against supply line disruption as just having sufficient inventory.
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beacon_dave over 1 year ago in reply to bradfordmiller

Excess inventory can come at high additional cost however.

I once did a tour of a car manufacturing plant and their logistics had deliveries every 4 hours in order to minimise their inventory in order to save costs.
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bradfordmiller over 1 year ago in reply to beacon_dave

I agree, that's the point of zero inventory management. But it's like driving without insurance: most of the time you're just fine and saving money, until the unexpected happens and you're SOL. Poor management choices aren't a reason for taxpayer bailouts; these companies got extra profits for years while keeping inventories low but failed to insure against rare events.
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