Yep, that’s definitely a concern with hardware projects. I guess mass produced hardware doesn’t run into the problem as much because there’s funding for upfront bulk component purchases.
At least with open source hardware you could theoretically modify the hardware to use an alternative component, even if it’s no longer commercially viable.
For a lot of open source projects you can pretty much just source everything from DigiKey or Mouser, so you can buy them all atomically.
"mass produced hardware doesn’t run into the problem"
Happens all the time, as a production model may take a long time to make it through development and lab certification.
In general, large firms will try to warehouse spools for some bespoke design, but the 3 year contact-oxidation garbage-clock starts the second the component spool/tray leaves the manufacturer.
Thus, one may try to mitigate supply chain instability, but in the end you are still just better off avoiding unicorn parts in your work to begin with... Longer chip lot runs with multiple suppliers having identical packages is usually safer. YMMV =3
At least with open source hardware you could theoretically modify the hardware to use an alternative component, even if it’s no longer commercially viable.
For a lot of open source projects you can pretty much just source everything from DigiKey or Mouser, so you can buy them all atomically.