Difference Engine question

I know there have been a lot of discussions on the Difference Engine and the Analytical Engine--but what I haven't found is how much of a major expence it would be to actually build one--what magnitude of cost are we talking about? As a side part of "Reach for the Skies," the characters may try to build one--we're talking around 1877.
 

mowque

Banned
You really can't, the machining technology simply isn't there to make such finely tuned parts.
 
A few thousand pounds at early-19th century levels of technology and inflation? Presumably advanced knowledge could cut that down a little...
 
I know there have been a lot of discussions on the Difference Engine and the Analytical Engine--but what I haven't found is how much of a major expence it would be to actually build one--what magnitude of cost are we talking about? As a side part of "Reach for the Skies," the characters may try to build one--we're talking around 1877.

Well, IOTL, the difference engine cost 17,500 pounds before construction was cancelled in 1831 - and this was estimated to be about a 7th of the completed engine. Even accounting for start up, you're looking at upwards of 50,000 pounds...which is a lot of money.
 
Have some sort of mathematical/scientific dilemma arise for which difference engines would be the most efficacious solution, similar to how decoding enigma fostered the development of digital computers during WWII.
 
You really can't, the machining technology simply isn't there to make such finely tuned parts.

Go take a look at the link sior posted, they made it with 19th century precision & materials in mind, so it could have been made back then.
 
Possible but VERY costly?

It seems that building a Difference Engine in the 1870's will be possible, but VERY costly. The cost might come down some for subsequent units. Probably not very feasible for a private company--but if computing orbits becomes important, then it could be done--if the need is there.

I do not want Steampunk, with difference engines and analytical engines everywhere--but if the need is there, they wil be made.
 

mowque

Banned
Go take a look at the link sior posted, they made it with 19th century precision & materials in mind, so it could have been made back then.

But they made it with a working modern knowledge of how machinery works. That is over a hundred years of applied machining.
 
Working...

It was made with early techniques, but modern knowlege. The part he did cost more than a modern warship--a BIG chunk of change indeed. The project ended in 1842, so in the 1870's, they have over 30 years more machining experience, which might--or might not--drive the cost down. According to Wikipedia, some machines based on it were built by Per Georg Schultz in 1859 and 1860.

My conclusion: the difference engine and analytical engine could be built--but the costs--OUCH!!! Modern warships are expensive--and the first full machine will cost more than a new ironclad. Tha Analytical Engine will come later, after some experience with the difference engine, if it is needed--but again, the cost.

Thus, there would have to be a drastic need for such machines to provide funding.

I think it's safe to assume that later ones would be less expensive.
 
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