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Hello All,<br>
<br>
Long time stalker, first time talker.<br>
As the title suggests, I'd like to hear some collective thoughts and
experiences on expected equipment lifetimes.<br>
Obviously very dependent on what it is, what it does, who made it,
who uses it, etc., etc. but in a very general sense when is the
average piece of equipment (if there is such a thing) on borrowed
time? I'm sure we all have some decades old machines and that
replacing them solely for modernization's sake would be considered
financial malfeasance. However, under a more manufacturing mindset
a strategy for planned obsolescence is not a bad idea.<br>
<br>
To hopefully facilitate some replies/debate/conversation, here's my
two cents:<br>
<br>
Metrology Equipment --> 5-10 years<br>
Processing Equipment --> 12-17 years<br>
<br>
Also took a quick age survey of our ~50 pieces of equipment and
found the following distribution:<br>
<br>
<img src="cid:part1.ZHud0TOf.NGkXVVJ4@rpi.edu" alt="" width="310" height="195"><br>
<br>
If the pie chart graphic isn't visible: 0 tools < 5years, 15
tools between 5 and 10 years, 17 tools between 5 and 10 years, 18
tools < 20 years<br>
<br>
Be well,<br>
Bryant<br>
<br>
<span style="color:#888888">Bryant Colwill <br>
RPI Cleanroom General Manager<br>
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute <br>
110 8th Street, CII 6015 <br>
Troy, NY 12180 <br>
Ph: <a href="tel:518-276-3946" target="_blank">518-276-3946</a>
</span>
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