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

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

scottiebabe over 1 year ago

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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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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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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