[Newsbot]

Title: Handmade no match for robots, builder says
Category: Business
Posted By: DrCaleb
Date: 2012-03-23 11:26:01
Canadian

[Canadian_Mind]

I've been in modular homes, and so called "custom pre-fabricated" homes. I'll take one built by 8 guys on site over anything produced in a factory. tructural integrity and quality are a major concern for me. Nothing beats what they eye can see, the hand can feel, and just general gut feeling on what is right and what is wrong.

[Dragon-Dancer]

Very nice, my place was constructed by Landmark just a few years back. This sort of technology sure brings down the cost and with precision crafting every component to rigorous standards, it should make quality control much easier. It still needs that human element to inspect and assemble but having good material to work with should help.

[BeaverFever]

Only problem is that you cant strong-arm robots into making concessions to lower your costs. If the robot doesnt get what it needs, it goes on permanent strike and not even Lisa Raitt can legislate it back to work.

Machines are alo made by other sophisticated profit-maximizing companies, who know the true value and optimum price for sale and service, so its harder to acquire and retain robot labour at below value costs.

[DanSC]

Canadian_Mind Canadian_Mind:

I've been in modular homes, and so called "custom pre-fabricated" homes. I'll take one built by 8 guys on site over anything produced in a factory. tructural integrity and quality are a major concern for me. Nothing beats what they eye can see, the hand can feel, and just general gut feeling on what is right and what is wrong.

Is that because the homes are manufactured, or because the homes are designed down to a price?

[DrCaleb]

BeaverFever BeaverFever:

Machines are alo made by other sophisticated profit-maximizing companies, who know the true value and optimum price for sale and service, so its harder to acquire and retain robot labour at below value costs.

Given our labour shortage in Alberta, robots are sometimes all we can get to do certain jobs.

[DrCaleb]

DanSC DanSC:

Canadian_Mind Canadian_Mind:

I've been in modular homes, and so called "custom pre-fabricated" homes. I'll take one built by 8 guys on site over anything produced in a factory. tructural integrity and quality are a major concern for me. Nothing beats what they eye can see, the hand can feel, and just general gut feeling on what is right and what is wrong.

Is that because the homes are manufactured, or because the homes are designed down to a price?

From my experience - price. I've seen some pretty crappily constructed homes; bathroom vents and kitchen routed only to the attic so the joices rot out after a few years, and celings get water stains - but not till the warrnaty has been denied a few times.

[PluggyRug]

DrCaleb DrCaleb:

From my experience - price. I've seen some pretty crappily constructed homes; bathroom vents and kitchen routed only to the attic so the joices rot out after a few years, and celings get water stains - but not till the warrnaty has been denied a few times.

Now that's an excellent double scotch post.

We moved into an older house in the boondocks. The plumbing was done by an electrician, the electrical by a plumber the rest by a wood butcher. The planning was done by a committee of pregnant camels. Mind you, the price was right.

[Freakinoldguy]

Handmade no match for robots, builder says

If that was really the truth, Chrysler would be the best and most prestigous vehicle made instead of Bentley and Rolls Royce.

[DanSC]

Freakinoldguy Freakinoldguy:

Handmade no match for robots, builder says

If that was really the truth, Chrysler would be the best and most prestigous vehicle made instead of Bentley and Rolls Royce.

I think that's also more related to building something down to a price, not whether it's build by man or machine.

[BeaverFever]

DanSC DanSC:

Freakinoldguy Freakinoldguy:

Handmade no match for robots, builder says

If that was really the truth, Chrysler would be the best and most prestigous vehicle made instead of Bentley and Rolls Royce.

I think that's also more related to building something down to a price, not whether it's build by man or machine.

Well, but why are all the finest cars made by hand? If robots could match the same quality at lower costs, why wouldn't Bentley, Lamborghini et al switch to robots like the other car makers?

[raydan]

BeaverFever BeaverFever:

DanSC DanSC:

Freakinoldguy Freakinoldguy:

Handmade no match for robots, builder says

If that was really the truth, Chrysler would be the best and most prestigous vehicle made instead of Bentley and Rolls Royce.

I think that's also more related to building something down to a price, not whether it's build by man or machine.

Well, but why are all the finest cars made by hand? If robots could match the same quality at lower costs, why wouldn't Bentley, Lamborghini et al switch to robots like the other car makers?

Robots are good for mass production and you can't consider those cars mass produced.

[Unsound]

I'd say there's also a little bit of marketing influencing that decision. People will pay extra when they're told something is handmade.

[BeaverFever]

raydan raydan:

Robots are good for mass production and you can't consider those cars mass produced.

So you think it's just that the low volume for those makers makes the use of robots uneconomic and there's not a concern for craftsmanship?

[Dragon-Dancer]

More like there isn't much need for robots when you deliberately keep your numbers small. High end luxury cars are produced for an exclusive market and sometimes custom built to the buyer's specific request.