So by now most of you have heard about the accomplishment of the European Space Agency. It is mind blowing what they achieved. First they had to plan the trip that took 10 years for the satellite to get there. Then they had to build a machine that could operate pretty much without any human hands touching it for 10 years. It had to operate in the vacuum of space at near absolute zero temperature (somewhere around -270 degrees C), all the while being controlled via wireless communication. So if they can do that, why can't someone build an automatic that can at least run one year at surface temperatures and pressure without hands touching it? Just dreaming again.
automatic's reliability
- Thread starter mac
- Start date
madscientist
Member
Their project didn't involve customers.
LMAO!!! So true!
Mac, Mac, Mac you should by now, you’re around my age that these companies would go out business if they designed an automatic car wash equipment or anything that lasted 15 years with no breakdowns and no hands on maintenance. When a design engineer designs something they design it to fail at a certain point in its life. So when things fail, wear out the company that manufactures the item it can keep manufacturing item, increasing sales and keeping people employed. It’s all relative.
robert roman
Bob Roman
There are some practical reasons why in-bay machines are not designed to last more than 5 to 10 years.
One reason is lifecycle. Most retail operations will put a skin package on the building and upgrade equipment every 8 to 10 years to ward off competition.
Other reasons are marketing and technical obsolescence.
For example, over the last ten years, there’s been a significant growth in friction in-bays, technology to reduce energy, water and chemical, speed up process and new products like tire shiner, virtual treadle, super-hydrophobic, etc.
Don’t forget POS - remote monitoring, self-pay terminal, website integration, compliance, etc.
Put an Istobal M-NEX 22 next to Laser 4000.
The 4000 is legendary but it’s like comparing the space shuttle to the Apollo capsule.
One reason is lifecycle. Most retail operations will put a skin package on the building and upgrade equipment every 8 to 10 years to ward off competition.
Other reasons are marketing and technical obsolescence.
For example, over the last ten years, there’s been a significant growth in friction in-bays, technology to reduce energy, water and chemical, speed up process and new products like tire shiner, virtual treadle, super-hydrophobic, etc.
Don’t forget POS - remote monitoring, self-pay terminal, website integration, compliance, etc.
Put an Istobal M-NEX 22 next to Laser 4000.
The 4000 is legendary but it’s like comparing the space shuttle to the Apollo capsule.
Or too expensive to make a profit with it.
Yes, I know. Good points all. These remarkable advances do help us though. For instance I replaced an old Oasis machine recently that had, if my memory serves me correctly, something like 60 grease fittings. And some of those you had to remove large panels with 20 screws to get at them. Put in an Istobal M22 and the owner could not believe it when he asked where the grease fittings were. There are none. Just like you car or truck.
