The hottest Manufacturing Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Sports Topics

Does All Semiconductor Manufacturing Depend on Spruce Pine Quartz?

Construction Physics • 31526 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Semiconductors Manufacturing Materials science Supply Chain
  1. Spruce Pine, North Carolina, provides a lot of the high-purity quartz used in making silicon for semiconductors. This quartz is important because it helps produce the pure silicon necessary for making chips and solar panels.
  2. While Spruce Pine quartz is significant, it isn't the only option available. There are other sources and potential substitutes, but they may not be as good or as cost-effective.
  3. The semiconductor industry is exploring new materials for crucibles and increasing the production of quartz elsewhere, which could reduce reliance on Spruce Pine in the future. This means a supply disruption wouldn't completely stop semiconductor manufacturing.

Battery Component Price Report: October 2024

Intercalation Station • 59 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Energy Batteries Sustainability Manufacturing Market Trends
  1. LFP battery prices are still under $50 per kWh. This means it’s a good time for consumers looking for affordable energy solutions.
  2. The report tracks battery component prices every month. Following the trends can help understand the market better.
  3. Subscribing gives access to exclusive updates and resources. It's a way to stay informed about changes in the battery industry.

How China Is Like the 19th Century U.S.

Construction Physics • 38624 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
💾 History Economic Growth Urbanization Manufacturing Cultural Change Social Dynamics
  1. Both China and the U.S. experienced rapid economic growth during their respective Gilded Ages. This growth transformed them into major manufacturing powers with urbanization and infrastructure development.
  2. As both countries industrialized, they saw a significant shift from farming to manufacturing jobs. This change created vast new opportunities for individuals and fostered a culture of ambition and entrepreneurship.
  3. In both nations, a wave of corruption and scams emerged alongside economic growth, leading to significant social and legal reforms aimed at improving conditions and regulating businesses.

Far From Grüven

Doomberg • 7157 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
💼 Business Economics Industry Energy Manufacturing Labor
  1. Germany's automotive industry is struggling due to poor energy policies and reliance on expensive energy sources. This could lead to factory closures and job losses.
  2. China is effectively using its energy resources to boost its production and economic strength, while European countries are facing the consequences of their energy choices.
  3. Volkswagen's recent financial troubles highlight the bigger issues facing Germany's heavy industry, and there are urgent changes needed to avoid further decline.

Why We Make the Exeter Hammer

The American Peasant • 2715 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
💼 Business Product Development Entrepreneurship Manufacturing Marketing Sales
  1. The Exeter Hammer was developed over three years to create a lightweight, balanced tool ideal for furniture makers. It combines good design and functionality to improve woodworking tasks.
  2. The hammer's design process involved scrapping an earlier project that felt too similar to common hammers on the market. This led to creating a unique hammer that meets specific needs of woodworkers.
  3. The first 400 hammers sold quickly, showing a strong demand and approval from users. This success suggests that thoughtful design can resonate well with the target audience.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Will the China Cycle Come for Airbus and Boeing?

Construction Physics • 33196 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
💼 Business Aerospace Manufacturing Technology Economics International Trade
  1. China has been trying to develop its own commercial aircraft industry for decades but faces many challenges. From technology theft concerns to complex manufacturing processes, it hasn't succeeded like in other industries.
  2. The C919 jet is China's latest attempt to compete with Boeing and Airbus. While it's secured a good number of orders, issues with performance and certification limits its appeal in the global market.
  3. Airbus has been more successful in China due to establishing local assembly lines. This made them more competitive compared to Boeing, which hesitated to set up operations in China.

Battery production is genuinely difficult

Intercalation Station • 99 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Manufacturing Sustainability Electric Vehicles Innovation
  1. Making batteries is really hard. Even small mistakes can lead to big problems and waste.
  2. Northvolt faced issues with unrealistic goals and timelines from its management, leading to disorganization and challenges in their production process.
  3. Quality control and procurement problems contributed to the company's struggles, highlighting a need for clear communication and better management practices.

Why on Earth does Trump want to cancel the CHIPS Act??

Noahpinion • 23823 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Legislation Foreign Policy Manufacturing Bipartisanship
  1. The CHIPS Act is important because it helps the U.S. regain its manufacturing capacity in the semiconductor industry, crucial for technology and defense.
  2. If Trump cancels the CHIPS Act, it could weaken America's ability to compete with China, especially as China grows its manufacturing and military power.
  3. Many people are worried that this move would create greater risks for the U.S. in a time when it needs strong alliances and manufacturing capabilities to face external threats.

A 15-minute intro to involute gears

lcamtuf’s thing • 6938 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Engineering Manufacturing Design Mathematics Mechanics
  1. Involute gears are used in many everyday items like toys and cars. Their special shape helps them work smoothly and efficiently.
  2. These gears have specific properties that reduce friction and vibrations, allowing them to transfer motion without problems. This ensures they work together seamlessly.
  3. Understanding the design of involute gears helps in creating various gear types, even unique shapes, making it easier to innovate in mechanical engineering.

How Sony Mastered the Transistor

The Asianometry Newsletter • 1607 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Electronics Innovation Manufacturing History Engineering
  1. Sony started from nothing after World War II, but two determined founders, Akio Morita and Masaru Ibuka, worked together to create innovative products like radios using new technology.
  2. They took a big risk by licensing transistor technology from Western Electric, believing it could change the way they made electronics, especially portable radios.
  3. Through trial and error, they learned how to produce reliable transistors and eventually created one of the first successful transistor radios, leading to the company's iconic brand name, Sony.

Indefensible

Doomberg • 7229 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Semiconductors Energy Policy Manufacturing Global Economy International relations
  1. Taiwan has become a key player in the global semiconductor industry, producing a significant portion of the world's chips. This makes its technology sector very important to the global economy.
  2. Taiwan struggles with energy supply, having faced numerous power outages in recent years. This energy crunch raises concerns about its ability to support its semiconductor manufacturing.
  3. The island's history and political situation with China create additional stress. If tensions rise, Taiwan's energy vulnerabilities could be exploited, impacting its manufacturing capabilities.

Apple Mobile Processors Are Now Made in the USA. By TSMC

Tim Culpan’s Position • 880 HN points • 17 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Semiconductors Manufacturing Electronics Innovation Supply Chain
  1. TSMC is now making Apple's mobile processors in Arizona, marking a big shift for tech manufacturing in the U.S.
  2. The A16 chip, which was first used in the iPhone 14 Pro, will be the first product produced at this new facility.
  3. This move shows Apple and TSMC's commitment to making advanced chips domestically, which is a key part of the U.S. government's efforts to boost local tech production.

Top Links 543 French billionaires. CGT election panel. America's manufacturing disasters & plunging global fertility.

Chartbook • 371 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy Elections Manufacturing Demographics Billionaires
  1. There are 543 billionaires in France, which shows a significant level of wealth concentration in the country. This number can spark discussions about wealth distribution and economic policies.
  2. America is facing major challenges in its manufacturing sector, leading to concerns about economic stability and job security. Understanding these issues can help us think about the future of work and industry.
  3. Global fertility rates are declining, which could have long-term effects on population growth and economic dynamics. This trend raises important questions about family planning and societal changes.

A Cycle of Misery: The Business of Building Commercial Aircraft

Construction Physics • 27768 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
💼 Business Aviation Manufacturing Industry Competition Economics
  1. Developing a new commercial aircraft is incredibly expensive, with development costs exceeding billions and posing significant financial risks to companies.
  2. Aircraft manufacturers face challenges in predicting market demand and trends, with incorrect guesses leading to financial losses and potentially fatal setbacks.
  3. Given the high costs and risks involved in developing new aircraft, manufacturers often opt to revise existing models to mitigate costs, keep pilot training minimal, and maximize efficiency.

How To Break Up With Your Toxic Acid

Intercalation Station • 59 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Chemistry Batteries Sustainability Manufacturing Innovation
  1. Fluorine plays a big role in making lithium-ion batteries better. It's important for key parts like the electrolyte salt that helps the battery work efficiently.
  2. Hydrogen fluoride is super toxic and can cause serious harm on contact. Finding safer ways to handle fluorine is crucial for both workers and the environment.
  3. FluoRok, a new company, is working to make fluorination safer and more sustainable. They aim to provide a better way to create essential materials without the risks associated with traditional processes.

Chinese Commercial Aircraft Reading List

Construction Physics • 208 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Aerospace Manufacturing Reports National Security Industry Trends
  1. Learning about China's aircraft industry can be challenging, but there are valuable resources available. These include government reports, media articles, and books that cover the topic.
  2. RAND reports are particularly useful for understanding the progress of Chinese aerospace. They provide in-depth analysis on various aspects of commercial aircraft manufacturing in China.
  3. If you're interested in this field, starting with reputable reports can give you a solid foundation, even if they are not easily readable like a typical book.

At least five interesting things for the middle of your week (#29)

Noahpinion • 10588 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness AI Food Science Manufacturing
  1. AI might help restore the middle class by narrowing the productivity gap between high-skilled and low-skilled workers.
  2. Americans can still afford food, with spending on groceries remaining steady while restaurant spending has increased.
  3. Native Americans in Canada are involved in urban development and industry, showing a potential avenue for economic growth and modernity.

The Story of Titanium

Construction Physics • 26933 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
🔬 Science Materials Research Engineering Manufacturing Medical
  1. Titanium is abundant in the earth's crust but took time to be utilized due to its bonding properties.
  2. The development of titanium as an industrial material was heavily supported by government research and funding.
  3. The story of titanium showcases the importance of serendipity in scientific discoveries and the critical role of manufacturing in technology advancement.

Hybrid Bonding Process Flow - Advanced Packaging Part 5

SemiAnalysis • 7677 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Semiconductors Manufacturing Equipment
  1. Hybrid bonding is a major innovation in semiconductor manufacturing, impacting design processes and supply chains.
  2. There are engineering challenges in bringing hybrid bonding to high volume production, with a focus on cleanliness, surface smoothness, and alignment accuracy.
  3. Wafers are bonded using advanced techniques such as wafer-to-wafer or die-to-wafer processes based on alignment accuracy, throughput, and bond yields.

Some tariffs are worse than others

Economic Forces • 7 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
💼 Business Economics Trade Policy Manufacturing Supply Chain
  1. Tariffs can hurt jobs and the economy, especially when they target parts instead of finished products. This can raise costs for manufacturers and lead to job losses.
  2. Not all tariffs are created equal; some can actually help domestic industries if designed carefully, but they can also create odd workarounds that waste resources.
  3. Policymakers need to think carefully about how they set tariffs. Simple solutions often lead to complex problems that can waste money and resources.

To compromise or not to compromise in battery technology

Intercalation Station • 79 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Energy Storage Manufacturing Automotive Innovation
  1. Battery technology is evolving, and it’s important to understand different types like NMC and LFP. These choices affect cost, safety, and how much energy batteries can hold.
  2. Moving to larger battery cells can save costs and increase energy storage but brings challenges in heat management and monitoring cell health. Better systems are needed to keep everything safe and efficient.
  3. Companies are adapting to use LFP batteries due to their safety and lower costs, even if it means sacrificing some energy capacity. The goal is to find new ways to make these batteries even better in the future.

The Death of LCDs, Means New Life for Chips

Tim Culpan’s Position • 159 implied HN points • 04 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Semiconductors Innovation Manufacturing Market Trends
  1. LCDs are becoming outdated as technology advances, and companies like Apple are moving away from them. This shift opens up new opportunities for chip manufacturers.
  2. Major players in the semiconductor industry, such as TSMC and Micron, are buying old LCD factories to repurpose them for chip packaging. They aim to use larger glass panels instead of traditional silicon wafers for better efficiency.
  3. As companies pivot from making displays to chips, the expertise from the LCD industry will still play a role in future technology, especially in the growing AI sector.

Of falling door plugs and missing bolts and holes in fuselages and 737 Max 9's

Lucian Truscott Newsletter • 3655 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
💼 Business Aerospace Manufacturing Corporate culture Quality control
  1. Private equity in aircraft manufacturing can lead to cost-cutting measures that compromise safety.
  2. Recent accidents involving Boeing 737 models point to potential flaws in design and manufacturing processes.
  3. Pressure to speed up production in the aviation industry can result in quality control issues and safety risks.

The blast furnace - 800 years of technology improvement

Construction Physics • 10856 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Innovation History Manufacturing Science Environment
  1. Steel production has evolved over 800 years, with blast furnaces being a crucial part of the process.
  2. The blast furnace technology has seen gradual improvements by engineers and craftsmen over centuries.
  3. As advancements like hot blast and mechanization have been made, the blast furnace's role is changing in modern steelmaking.

Winning iPhone Orders is no Longer Victory

Tim Culpan’s Position • 39 implied HN points • 11 Sep 24
💼 Business Economics Supply Chain Manufacturing Technology Market Trends
  1. Luxshare and Foxconn are both working on assembling iPhones, but Luxshare's recent orders don't seem to bring in much more money for the company. Their iPhone assembly success hasn't led to significant revenue growth.
  2. Apple is a big client for both companies, but they are overly dependent on it. Luxshare's reliance on Apple for 75% of its revenue is worrying for investors, especially as Apple's overall sales have been slowing.
  3. To succeed, Luxshare might need to expand into new areas like AI servers rather than just focusing on iPhones. However, they face challenges in doing this and need to be cautious about their future strategies.

Beyond the ISS

Chris’s Substack • 19 implied HN points • 11 Oct 24
🔬 Science Manufacturing Technology Commercialization
  1. The International Space Station (ISS) is important for research in space, especially for understanding how different conditions affect materials.
  2. There is a high demand for time on the ISS, which is leading to the development of commercial space stations to help meet that need and lower costs.
  3. Space manufacturing has been proven possible, but we need to make the processes cheaper and easier to implement in space to fully take advantage of it.

Chartbook 270: How Russia makes missiles - an important report from Rhodus Intelligence

Chartbook • 1187 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Military Manufacturing Imports Sanctions
  1. The war in Ukraine showcases Russia's significant advantage in missile production compared to Europe and the US.
  2. Russia's ability to sustain high levels of missile output is linked to its strategic importation of advanced CNC machines, particularly from the West and China.
  3. The Rhodus Intelligence report reveals the complex dynamics of Russia's military production surge, showcasing the importance of machine tools and imports in modern missile manufacturing.

China is ‘world’s sole manufacturing superpower’, with 35% of global output

Geopolitical Economy Report • 1056 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Manufacturing Economy Trade Industrialization Geopolitics
  1. China has become the world's top manufacturing power, accounting for 35% of global production.
  2. China's economic success is largely attributed to its state-led development model, with government-controlled enterprises and strategic policies.
  3. The US is heavily reliant on Chinese manufactured goods, making complete decoupling challenging and costly for both countries.

ESP32-S3 ZX Spectrum - Update 22-06-2024

Single Board ESP32 ZX Spectrum • 159 implied HN points • 22 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Hardware Software Manufacturing Design Crowdfunding
  1. The creator is grateful for the support shown for the ESP32-S3 ZX Spectrum project, with 432 people signing up for updates.
  2. Progress has been made in applying to platforms like Crowd Supply, developing prototypes with new features, and creating new artwork for the project.
  3. Key questions are addressed about the project, including display options, pricing, support for games, and potential selling platforms.

The Greek manufacturing sector

The Greek Analyst • 299 implied HN points • 24 Apr 24
💼 Business Manufacturing Economy Tech startups
  1. Greek manufacturing sector shows signs of recovery, hitting record highs in employment, productivity, and sales.
  2. Manufacturing exports have tripled since the crisis, but Greece still lags behind other European countries.
  3. Investing in smart manufacturing, robotics, innovation, and collaboration between universities and industry is crucial for the future growth of the Greek manufacturing sector.

How Japan Won the Lithography Industry

The Asianometry Newsletter • 2368 implied HN points • 24 May 23
🕹 Technology Industry Semiconductors Manufacturing Innovation Competition
  1. In the late 1980s, Japanese firms dominated the lithography market, overtaking American suppliers.
  2. The US led the early semiconductor industry, influencing chip development and government interest.
  3. Japan's VLSI project in the 1970s propelled their indigenous semiconductor industry through collaborative research and development.

The 3-D Transistor Transition

The Asianometry Newsletter • 1861 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Semiconductors Innovation Manufacturing Future Technology
  1. The semiconductor industry shifted to producing 3-D transistors like the FinFET for better control over the channels.
  2. Classical scaling involved shrinking transistor dimensions to improve performance, power, and area gains.
  3. 3-D transistor designs like FinFETs and Gate all around are pushing semiconductor technology forward, but come with added complexity and cost.