back when i was doing research for the DoD, we would order the PCBs we designed from an authorized US supplier, and we would assemble them in our reflow oven, cuz China was a no-no. Also, PBS assembly is so automated that probably labor cost isn’t important anymore, but the supply chain benefits of Shenzhen still win from the logistics perspective
Most of these components could easily be made elsewhere, albeit at a higher cost.
expatriado@lemmy.world 1 day ago
IMALlama@lemmy.world 19 hours ago
Assembly is relatively straightforward, but sourcing all the components locally is likely getting harder and harder. Granted, for DoD contract reasons there’s likely a cottage industry that relies on government rules to keep things onshore. That’s part of the reason why we still have some made in the USA clothing.
This is worth a listen or a watch if you’re interested.
WolfLink@sh.itjust.works 19 hours ago
There’s a huge difference between making a PCB and a modern processor.
vacuumflower@lemmy.sdf.org 1 day ago
Meaning China is doing what Lenin wanted to do at some point - to use some basic laws of globalization (then imperialism) to kill its source. Formulated as “they will sell us the rope to hang them”, and didn’t transpire. But, well, Lenin planned for NEP to last till 80s, and then start all the socialist reforms in the society. Then he died. Together with most of those famous Bolsheviks from Soviet movies about the revolution. All from different reasons in a few years.
In this case rejecting the logistical and power benefits from using Chinese labor and facilities seems impossible as of now for Western economies.