Steve brings up another situation that is very important - the high price of
replacement parts.  Having spent a good portion of my career with equipment
manufacturers (UIC, Vitronics, Excellon, among others) I always did find the
markup on most (not some,but most) spares as excessive.  Even allowing for
stocking, handling and a bit of a markup, they seem to be in a league with
hospitals ($20 aspirin) and OEM car parts.
I do remember at least one Fortune 50 manufacturer requiring a list of
aftermarket (over the counter) spares for as many spares as were not
manufactured by the manufacturer so that they were not locked into sole
source.  Things like fuses, relays, motors, disk drives, PCs, etc.  Maybe
this would be a good practice for all of us to adapt.  Otherwise, when a part
goes, it seems to be a case of BOHICA - Bend Over, Here It Comes Again!

Phil Zarrow
ITM, Inc.
Durham, NH USA
www.ITM-SMT.com

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