Servos ( A geopolitical issue)

[Konrad]

I'm noticing a lot of servos are starting to show up on many web sites as out of stock. I thought a lot of this might be as a result of Covid-19. But as most of these are built by high speed robotics that didn't make too much sense.

I've learned that many servo manufactures are actually having supply chain issues. Specifically that they can't get motors. What shocked me was that this is an artificial problem. That is this is a political problem. Not like you would think with the USA and tariffs. But rather this stems from the political unrest in Hong Kong. Trade between the island and the main land has come to a trickle. Most of the Chinese servo factories get their supply of motors from Hong Kong factories.

So it looks like it might be time to start hoarding any Chinese servos you might want (to me that would be KST). Or start to look for servos that don't have China as the C.O.O.. I'm thinking of Hitec has factories from Korea and the Philippines. I'm also thinking Blue Bird as they are a Taiwan manufacture.

But with the interconnectedness of the supply chain this strategy might not be all that effective.

 

[HENNY]

Hoarding toilet paper and servos don't mix?

 

[Scott Page]

Is the the same reason we STILL have a "National Coin Shortage" in the U.S. ??

 

[Scott Page]

I'm noticing a lot of servos are starting to show up on many web sites as out of stock. I thought a lot of this might be as a result of Covid-19. But as most of these are built by high speed robotics that didn't make too much sense.

I've learned that many servo manufactures are actually having supply chain issues. Specifically that they can't get motors. What shocked me was that this is an artificial problem. That is this is a political problem. Not like you would think with the USA and tariffs. But rather this stems from the political unrest in Hong Kong. Trade between the island and the main land has come to a trickle. Most of the Chinese servo factories get their supply of motors from Hong Kong factories.

So it looks like it might be time to start hoarding any Chinese servos you might want (to me that would be KST). Or start to look for servos that don't have China as the C.O.O.. I'm thinking of Hitec has factories from Korea and the Philippines. I'm also thinking Blue Bird as they are a Taiwan manufacture.

But with the interconnectedness of the supply chain this strategy might not be all that effective.

On a more serious note -- this servo shortage as well as other components has also delayed the manufacture of many RTF and receiver ready aircraft.

 

[Konrad]

On a more serious note -- this servo shortage as well as other components has also delayed the manufacture of many RTF and receiver ready aircraft.

That's just tragic, tragic I say. (said through crocodile tears).
This might be a good time to mention that this was a creative hobby not just a consumer activity. The idea of building might be valid now.

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[Wayne]

Both Hitec and PowerHD have pulled servos in the last few months as the motors are not available. We are going to be stocking the Dymond servos, but they have the same issue and are backordered on the little D47 for a good long time. I'm sure there are others.