Re: Domestic sources

On Thu, 7 Nov 2024 17:09:02 -0700, Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid>
wrote:

An old client dropped me a line (I have no idea how he managed
to find valid contact information!  I will have to look into that...)
>
He was concerned over the possibility of "import duties" levied
on the components in one of the devices Id designed for him.
>
To be honest, I've never looked at WHERE a component was sourced
as part of the selection process.  <frown>
>
My advice to him was essentially that of how one would handle
an obsolete component:
- redesign the hardware with necessary substitutions
- port the software to accommodate any necessary changes
- update production documents
>
Porting the software is, by far, the easiest and shortest effort (as
it was designed and written with this as a goal).
>
Updating production documents/procedures should be a no-brainer.
>
And, the hardware redesign should be easy -- EXCEPT for the
added task of identifying component sources (country of origin).
>
I figure 3 man months for the whole exercise -- assuming domestic
sources are available for all components.  So, it should be
relatively easy to put a price tag on that effort -- even if
taken in anticipation of a future problem.
>
Are folks undertaking such analysis?  Or, waiting to see what
ACTUALLY happens?  (Politicians are renowned for making all sorts
of claims and not following through -- has anyone seen that check
from Mexico for the wall?)

There are companies that do such an analysis as a service, including
second sources and part end-of-life estimates. I can't recall a name
just now.