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so hear me out: Is the obsession with over-engineered gears actually hurting us? We see it everywhere, from supposedly "unbreakable" watch movements to industrial machinery built to withstand forces far beyond their typical operational stress. But what's the real cost? We're talking about more expensive materials, more complex manufacturing processes, and ultimately, a higher price tag for the end user.
Couldn't those resources be better spent on improving othre aspects of the design, like efficiency or ease of maintenance? Or even just lowering the price point to make the product more accessible? A slightly less robust gear system might still outlast its practical lifespan, rendering the extra engineering effectively useless.
I'm curious to hear other people's thoughts.Are we paying a premium for a level of durability that's genuinely needed, or are we just chasing marketing hype and perceived quality? Are there specific applications where over-engineered gears are truly justified, versus situations where a more pragmatic approach would be more beneficial? I'm thinking about comparing something like a high-precision medical device versus a children's toy. Different needs, different engineering priorities?