Chapter 404: Numerical Control Machine Tool Shocks the Entire Venue

The assistant acted quickly, fixing a metal blank onto the machine tool, while simultaneously taking a blueprint from a briefcase to show the representatives.

"This is a design drawing for a standard helical gear," Li Mingyuan explained, "which has extremely high precision requirements; traditional craftsmanship requires multiple processing steps and manual finishing to complete. Today, we will use this Numerical Control Machine Tool to complete the fully automatic processing in front of you all."

He walked toward the console and opened a device resembling a typewriter: "This is the data input unit; we use it to convert the parameters on the blueprint into digital instructions."

Li Mingyuan skillfully tapped on the keyboard, and strings of numbers and symbols appeared on a small display screen. This scene made many experts widen their eyes—in this era, this type of human-machine interaction method was shocking enough in itself.

"Data input complete," Li Mingyuan announced, "Next, the machine tool will operate completely automatically, without any need for manual intervention. Please observe, everyone."

He pressed the start button, then stepped back a few paces, keeping a distance from the machine tool to clearly indicate that there would be no human intervention.

The machine tool started. At first, there was a low hum, then the various components began to move precisely. The cutting tool changed automatically, the processing angle adjusted automatically, the coolant sprayed precisely... the entire process was like a meticulously choreographed ballet, every movement precise and fluid.

The venue was silent; everyone held their breath, staring fixedly at this machine.

The technical consultant from Taiji Tiger, Li Zhitai, who had originally bet that this was merely an improved version of a Semi-automatic Machine Tool, now widened his eyes, and the notebook in his hand slipped away quietly.

"This... this is impossible..." he muttered to himself, "No manual intervention at all, yet it can achieve multi-axis linkage, automatic tool changing... this has already transcended the scope of mechanical manufacturing and entered the realm of... information science..."

The mechanical expert from Yinghua, Yamamoto, was also too shocked to speak. As a representative of a major precision manufacturing nation, he knew better than anyone what this level of automation meant.

"The control system... must be some kind of brand-new... computing device..." Yamamoto spat out these words with difficulty, "But this kind of technology... will take at least ten years to realize..."

Thompson from Yuegongniu could no longer bother to maintain his gentlemanly demeanor; he stood up abruptly and almost rushed to the machine tool, trying to see the structure inside the control box clearly. But the thick metal casing blocked his view.

"Step back!" The security personnel from Long Country immediately stepped forward, politely but firmly blocking Thompson, "Please do not interfere with the demonstration process."

Thompson retreated to his seat sullenly, but his eyes never left the machine tool for a single moment.

The demonstration continued, and every precise movement of the machine tool triggered a wave of exclamations. When the final cut was finished, the machine tool stopped automatically, the coolant spray ceased, and the cutting tool returned to its position—the entire processing procedure was complete.

Li Mingyuan walked toward the machine tool and carefully removed the helical gear that had just been processed. He picked up a precision caliper, measured several key dimensions in front of everyone, and then showed the measurement results to the experts present.

"Please look, everyone," his voice was calm and confident, "The standard diameter deviation is 0.008 millimeters, the tooth profile angle deviation is 0.007 millimeters, and the surface roughness is Ra1.6..."

These numbers were like a series of bombs exploding within the venue.

The technical representative from Beijixiong Guo, Ivanov, could no longer sit still; he practically jumped up and rushed toward the exhibition stand: "Let me check!"

Li Mingyuan gladly handed the gear and the measuring tools to him: "Please do, Mr. Ivanov. We welcome any form of verification."

Ivanov took the gear with trembling hands and repeatedly tested it with the precision measuring instruments he carried with him. As each piece of data was confirmed, his face became increasingly pale.

"This is impossible... this is absolutely impossible..." Ivanov muttered to himself, his voice nearly choking, "Even our most precise manual processing cannot reach this level of precision... and this was completed fully automatically..."

A commotion erupted in the venue. Experts from various countries rose one after another, scrambling to inspect the gear and the machine tool.

Thompson from Yuegongniu could no longer bother with decorum; he asked eagerly: "What is the principle of the control system? What type of servo motor was used? How is the feedback mechanism achieved?"

Bernard from Gaul also asked questions like a machine gun: "Is the data input device independently developed? What is the precision compensation algorithm?"

Li Mingyuan only smiled and answered unhurriedly: "The control system adopts our independently developed digital computing unit, while the servo system is based on a brand-new electromagnetic control principle..."

His answers were professional and detailed, but he deliberately avoided the Hexin technical details, which made the Western experts even more agitated.

Yamamoto from Yinghua had already been completely conquered; he held the gear, a nearly fanatical light flickering in his eyes: "This kind of precision... this level of automation... if it could be applied to our precision manufacturing industry..."

Li Zhitai from Taiji Tiger had long since put away his previous doubts; he asked straightforwardly: "Is Long Country willing to export this type of machine tool? What is the price? What are the conditions for technology transfer?"

Just as the technical experts from various countries were scrambling to ask questions, an inconspicuous middle-aged man stood silently in the corner, recording everything with a special micro-camera. He was a technical expert sent by the Central Intelligence Agency of the Star-Spangled Country, and his expression at this moment was more solemn than anyone else's.

"It's over..." he whispered to himself, "We are still researching semi-automatic control systems, and they have already achieved full digitalization..."

Ryan, a technical official from the Department of Defense of the Star-Spangled Country, also stood not far away, his face ashen. He turned to his colleague beside him and whispered: "Do you understand what this means? If Long Country masters this kind of precision manufacturing capability, their weapon systems will..."

The colleague shook his head, interrupting him: "Say no more. Report to Washington City immediately; this has already exceeded our estimates. Long Country's technical strength... may be far more powerful than we imagined."

The atmosphere in the venue became increasingly heated, with representatives from various countries crowding toward the exhibition stand, trying to learn more details. Li Mingyuan watched this scene, feeling secretly pleased.

The experience of interning at a numerical control center in his previous life, combined with the results of his team's day-and-night efforts in this world, had finally received the most perfect display at this moment. Although this DNC-1 Numerical Control Machine Tool was not yet as good as 21st-century high-end equipment, in this era, it was absolutely a revolutionary existence.

"Please pay attention, everyone," Li Mingyuan raised his voice, drawing everyone's attention back, "This DNC-1 Numerical Control Machine Tool is only the first-generation product of Long Country's numerical control technology. Our R&D team is currently developing more advanced models, which are expected to go into production next year."