Re: Ship copies was: Ship sales

>I once heard of a Korean electronics firm that had purchased an
"automated
>circuit board solding" machine.  It was a massive unit about
30-40 feet long.
>And right beside it was a perfect copy the plant's engineers
had made of the
>orginal.
>
>It seems to me that a ship is just somewhat bigger, and will
take somewhat
>longer.  Anyone can hire the compitant engineers.

Speaking as someone who used to sell industrial materials,
there's always someone who wants to tamper with the designs.

Engineer: "We have these rods 1.25" diameter, we can get them
from the German OEM for $800 each, but I wanted to check with
you..."
Me: "Well, tell me what the manufacturer describes it as...Okay,
I can sell you those for $525 instead of $800.	Won't be the
same color but it'll do the same thing."
Engineer: "Okay, just to be sure, it's used for" (he fills in
application and temperature details).
Me:  "Well, from what you're telling me, it sounds like you
could use UHMW instead of PEEK.  Instead of 2 feet at $525 each,
you'd be getting 10 feet at $4.20 per foot, call it $5 per foot
to hit our order minimum.  Should work just as well for what
you're using it for."

(This conversation actually happened).