As the cost of purchasing a CNC lathe is rather expensive, it has created a high threshold for competitors to join.
It's cost - not lack of available CNC machines - that is the problem. You really think there aren't CNC machines to be had? Hey - plenty to buy, but it's a cost. Is the cost worth it? Well, Samsung just introduced 4 more laptops with fully machined aluminum cases, so they think it is.
It's not what you claimed - lack of available CNC machines. It's expense that's stopping it - not wanting to buy the machines.
You're wrong again, and you proved my point. Thanks so much for that!
Aaarrrgh! NO! Read the DAMN Headling, Sidelines! CNC machines have always been expensive. This is just one of DOZENS of articles referencing CAPACITY, not cost! I can show you numerous articles referencing Japanese machine tool companies operating AT capacity making the CNC machines in the early part of 2011 to fill the Chinese orders for the two companies that make Apple's IPads, iPhones, MacBooks and MacBook Airs... Putting a strain on their ability to fill ANY ORDERS AT ALL for other companies, then the earthquake hit!
Making and shipping the machines is just part of the equation, Sidelines, from the time of ordering the machine. You have to put those machines in an assembly line... And that takes money, engineering, permits, probanly bribes, a building, labor investment, and TIME! It took Honhai over a year to get the Apple funded CNC Machines operating . . . and productive . . . at Foxconn's new plant. That's a long time before a customer can take delivery of a machined aluminum laptop!