Chapter 40: Too Slow, a Semi-automatic Solution

Li Shouzheng and Lou Changzhang exchanged a glance, both feeling somewhat puzzled.

In their view, the current progress was already quite satisfactory; after all, it was a brand-new process, and it was no easy feat for the workers to adapt to this extent.

"Xiao Li," Li Shouzheng said earnestly, "Revolutionary work must be done steadily; one cannot be overly eager for success. The workers are already working very hard; going any faster might affect the quality."

Li Mingyuan took a deep breath, knowing he could not explain the true urgency to them.

As a transmigrator, he knew what would happen.

If they could complete weapon stockpiling ahead of time, they could at least reduce unnecessary sacrifices.

But he could not tell anyone about these things.

"Elder Li, Factory Director Lou," Li Mingyuan softened his tone,

"I know everyone is working very hard, but there is still great room for improvement in our production methods.

The biggest problem at present is that the semi-automatic assembly line lacks coordination; although the workers operate according to the blueprints, their proficiency is insufficient, leading to low efficiency."

Lou Changzhang nodded, "That is indeed the reality. New processes require time to adapt; the workers have just come into contact with this semi-automated production method, so a break-in period is necessary."

"There isn't that much time left." Li Mingyuan muttered to himself, then raised his voice,

"I need to go back to my office to think it over properly and see if I can design a more efficient production method."

Li Shouzheng patted his shoulder, "Don't put too much pressure on yourself, young man. Slow work yields fine products; weapon production cannot tolerate the slightest bit of carelessness."

Li Mingyuan smiled reluctantly and did not say anything more.

Returning to his office, Li Mingyuan locked the door and quickly called out to the system in his mind,

"System, pull up the data on the mechanical equipment obtained."

A stream of information immediately flooded into his mind; Li Mingyuan sat at his desk, closing his eyes to digest this precious knowledge.

Half an hour later, he opened his eyes and began to quickly draw sketches on paper.

"The most ideal solution is to introduce a Numerical Control Machine Tool," Li Mingyuan muttered to himself, "but the current conditions are too limited."

He flipped through the system data, carefully examining the structure and principles of first-generation Numerical Control Machine Tools.

Key components included Vacuum Tubes, Relays, Transformers, Capacitors, Resistors, and a series of other electronic components—luxuries that were almost impossible to gather at this time.

"Must think of another way..." Li Mingyuan bit his pencil in thought, when suddenly a flash of inspiration struck,

"Right, I can first build a Mechanical Semi-automatic Machine Tool while simultaneously starting to prepare the parts for a Numerical Control System!"

He quickly drew a brand-new design plan: using a Cam-Lever Mechanism combined with a Hydraulic Copying Device to achieve simple automatic feeding.

Using simple Relays to implement basic logic control.

He even considered using Flashlight Bulbs and Photoresistors to replace professional Photoelectric Sensors.

Although this plan was primitive, its strength lay in its feasibility, and it could immediately improve production efficiency.

"With this, I can at least increase the speed of rifling processing fivefold!" Li Mingyuan said excitedly to himself, the pen in his hand moving rapidly across the blueprint, transforming the concepts in his mind into a concrete design.

He worked for three full hours, drawing up a detailed design for a Mechanical Semi-automatic Machine Tool, as well as a parts list for a Numerical Control System.

The machine on the blueprint looked complex, but every component fully considered the limitations of current industrial conditions, ensuring it could be manufactured within the factory.

"Alright, it's time to let them see what true automation is." Li Mingyuan put away the blueprints with satisfaction and got up to find Li Shouzheng and Lou Changzhang.

They were in the workshop guiding workers on equipment debugging; seeing Li Mingyuan walk over, the two stopped what they were doing.

"Xiao Li, have you figured it out?" Li Shouzheng asked with a smile.

Li Mingyuan nodded, "I have designed a new production plan; please come over and take a look."

His tone was calm, but a confident light flickered in his eyes.

The three returned to the conference room, where Li Mingyuan spread out the blueprints and began to explain his design philosophy in detail.

"This is a type of Mechanical Semi-automatic Machine Tool; the core is the Cam-Lever Mechanism," Li Mingyuan said, pointing to the key parts on the blueprint,

"By using the preset shape of the cam in combination with the Hydraulic Copying Device, we can achieve automatic feeding and precise positioning of the cutting tool."

Lou Changzhang widened his eyes, carefully studying the blueprint, "This... this... this design!"

Li Mingyuan continued to explain, "The most ingenious part is that we use common Flashlight Bulbs and Photoresistors to form a simple Photoelectric Sensor, which, when combined with mechanical switches and Relays, forms a basic logic control system."

Li Shouzheng's hands trembled slightly, "Xiao Li, this... this is no longer semi-automatic; this is almost the prototype of full automation!"

"The key is," Li Mingyuan pointed to the details of the blueprint, "every single component can be manufactured in our factory without needing external support. As long as we modify the existing machine tools according to this plan, production efficiency can be increased by at least five times."

Lou Changzhang and Li Shouzheng exchanged a glance, both seeing shock and disbelief in the other's eyes.

"This... how is this possible?" Lou Changzhang stammered, "I have never seen this kind of design thinking... it is simply..."

"Genius!" Li Shouzheng took over, his voice trembling, "This has surpassed the current industrial level by at least 20 years! Xiao Li, how did you come up with this?"

Li Mingyuan smiled modestly, "Just a flash of inspiration. The key is to solve the current production problems."

Lou Changzhang studied every detail on the blueprint carefully, his eyes growing wider and wider until he was finally almost speechless, able only to shake his head continuously to express the shock in his heart.

"Chief Engineer Li, this... this simply overturns my understanding of mechanical manufacturing!" Chen Dezhong had also been called over to look at the blueprints, his voice trembling with excitement,

"Using a cam to control the feed, using a Photoelectric Sensor to trigger the switch—this... this is the most ingenious design I have ever seen!"

The entire conference room fell into a strange Silence, with only the sound of paper turning.

Everyone was so shocked by Li Mingyuan's design that they were speechless, able only to stare blankly at the blueprints, trying to understand this design that was ahead of its time.

"However," Li Mingyuan broke the silence, "this is only the first step. My ultimate goal is to build a set of true Automated Systems to achieve fully automated production."

He took out another piece of paper with a long list of parts and raw materials on it, "For this, I need these things. Some may be difficult to find and will require the assistance of the Military Industry Department."

Li Shouzheng took the list and scanned it quickly—Vacuum Tubes, Relays, Transformers, various specifications of Capacitors and Resistors, High-purity Quartz Crystals, copper wire of specific purity, Germanium Ore...

"These are..." Li Shouzheng looked puzzled; he could not imagine what kind of equipment these things would form when combined.

"These are the raw materials for manufacturing what I want," Li Mingyuan explained.