Re:Lego has designed a set that can't be taken apart
by mcphage on Friday December 03, 2021 @12:06PM
(#29432291)
Injection moulds do have a finite life, but since set-specific parts are only used in a single set, those moulds won't wear out nearly as fast as the moulds for common bricks.
Re:Lego has designed a set that can't be taken apart
by svnt on Friday December 03, 2021 @11:55AM
(#29432153)
That is definitely the first-order engineering answer. However once the concept/possibility enters into executive consciousness all bets on the “why” shift to profit motive.
Re:Lego has designed a set that can't be taken apart
by Grustaf on Friday December 03, 2021 @11:58AM
(#29432194)
Why wouldn't they have a "profit motive"? They are a company, not a charity.
Re:Lego has designed a set that can't be taken apart
by throwaway41597 on Friday December 03, 2021 @07:02PM
(#29437202)
What is a realistic lifetime for an injection mold used for Lego bricks? Does someone here know the order of magnitude of pieces you can manufacture with one?
Re:Lego has designed a set that can't be taken apart
by pjc50 on Saturday December 04, 2021 @10:14AM
(#29441316)
https://www.wired.com/2013/02/retired-lego-mold-reddit/ gives an example of 120,000,000 (!), which probably means the "special piece" argument doesn't entirely work.
On the other hand, they quote "one moulding machine working for an hour almost equals one LEGO star destroyer", which does explain why they're so expensive.
Injection moulds have a finite life, so parts go out of print. Unfortunately their tendency to use set-specific parts causes this to make sets go out of print.
(Obviously they could make another mould, but that commits them to a whole print run to make it economically viable.)