Chapter 105: Must Be Contained

Combining electric spark machining with waterjet processing!

The cuts must be made swiftly, and the cutting tools are sure to be first-rate!

The precision of tool alignment is extremely accurate; it could be a micrometer-level automatic alignment system!

Add to that the 0.1-nanometer grinding precision advertised in the brochure!

This is too frightening. When did the people of Tang Country come up with such an enterprise that could produce such ultra-high precision compound machining centers?

This cannot be allowed. It is essential to suppress and contain this enterprise called Xingguang Precision. If it were allowed to grow, not only would we lose the Tang Country market, but they could also seize the international market.

This situation has already manifested in the high-speed rail industry. Although many components of Tang Country’s high-speed rails are still sourced from Japan, in the international complete vehicle market, Japan is entirely at a disadvantage.

Looking at the situation with that piece of equipment, it seems it might even be better than our company’s product. If it’s also as cost-effective as the Tang Country’s products, our company will struggle to compete.

Kosuke Yasushi watched the entire demonstration, got a brochure, and then staggered back to his own booth in a daze.

“President, you are back; a client is looking for you.”

His colleague greeted him, but Kosuke Yasushi paid her no attention and walked directly into the booth.

“Komatsu-kun, why do you look so disheartened? Did you lose your wallet?”

A teasing voice came through, finally bringing Kosuke Yasushi back to his senses.

“Eh? Mr. Huang, I didn’t expect you to have time to come here.”

“Yes, I came specifically to find you. I have a favor to ask.”

The visitor suddenly noticed the brochure of Xingguang Precision in Kosuke Yasushi’s hand and frowned, asking, “Komatsu-kun, why do you have a brochure of Xingguang Precision?”

A glint flashed in Kosuke Yasushi’s eyes as he asked, “Mr. Huang, do you know this company?”

“I came to ask your help with something related to this company.”

“Oh, that’s quite a coincidence. I was just about to learn more about this company. Let’s find a place and have a good discussion.”

“That was my intention.”

Talking, they left the booth and walked out of the exhibition hall.

“Little Qiu, having you as a student in my life is truly a blessing.”

After watching the first-grade ultra-precision machine tool processing demonstration, Ding Youlun spoke to Du Qiu with emotion.

“Teacher, there are many people here. Let’s rest in the negotiation area on the side.”

Du Qiu supported Ding Youlun and guided him to the negotiation area behind their booth.

Currently, their booth was still bustling with people.

At such industrial expos, the flow of attendees is not usually large, but since Xingguang Precision’s ultra-precision machining center began its actual processing demonstration, many exhibiting companies sent quite a few people to watch.

Those recording videos with their phones were even more ubiquitous.

Some were posting to their social circles, while others sent videos to company leaders for reporting…

“Teacher, without your guidance, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve these results.”

“Your two achievements in the field of CNC machine tools are extraordinary, akin to an atomic bomb in the industry!”

“Hehe, teacher, it sounds like you want to jinx me.”

Ding Youlun straightened his face and said, “How could it be jinxing? Your results speak for themselves. This machine alone has accelerated our capabilities in ultra-precision machinery by 15 years!”

“Eh? Isn’t that Academician Ding? What you just said, is it true?”

A voice suddenly interrupted.

It was someone seated at a table behind Du Qiu, apparently a reporter in his 20s, with a laptop on the table, likely writing an article.

This person came over with the laptop and sat in front of the table, seeing Du Qiu and startled, then pointed at Du Qiu and said, “Are you Dr. Du Qiu? It’s great to meet you.”

After finishing his sentence and seeing the expressions of Du Qiu and his teacher, he slapped his forehead and said, “Sorry, I am Han Donglin, a reporter from Science and Technology Daily. I just watched Xingguang Precision’s machining center and couldn’t restrain my excitement. I started writing the news piece right away.”

Ding Youlun nodded and said, “So you’re a reporter from Science and Technology Daily. You should indeed give this ultra-precision machine a lot of coverage.”

Han Donglin inquired, “I just heard you say that this machine has advanced our field by 15 years; is that true? In previous years, haven’t companies already claimed that their CNC machine tools have reached an international advanced level?”

Ding Youlun declared decisively, “Of course it’s true. In the field of CNC machine tools, our gap from the true world-leading level was about 15 years. That’s why I told Du Qiu that, combined with the Heavenly System he released on May Day, his achievements are equivalent to an atomic bomb in this field.”

Han Donglin asked in surprise, “I know about the Heavenly System, which is the brain of CNC machining centers. Why do you think that adding this compound CNC machining center would warrant an evaluation equivalent to the industry’s atomic bomb?”

Ding Youlun explained, “I’ll tell you something. Over the past few decades, our country has made significant progress in many areas, but there’s one where we’ve fallen even further behind developed countries.”

“What field is that?”

“The field of industrial software!” Ding Youlun expressed with some distress. “In this area, we have CNC control software, industrial automation system software, and industrial design software. To put it simply, if CNC control software and automation system software are like atomic bombs, then industrial design software would be the hydrogen bomb. Du Qiu’s Heavenly System has now extended to industrial automation systems, and just that is worthy of an atomic bomb in the industry, not to mention the top-of-the-line CNC machining center.”

Han Donglin pursued, “About industrial design software, do we really have no domestically developed products in that area?”

Ding Youlun sighed and admitted, “Currently, industrial design software, such as CAD, Pro/E, chip design software, etc., all come from abroad and dominate the world. Frankly, if these companies impose an embargo on our country, our industrial production will be severely affected. Now, people are aware of the importance of chips, but no one realizes that if there’s an embargo on software, we won’t even be able to design chips! Did you know? Our university education is practically based on the manuals of these softwares, and we are training students to use them. Imagine the kind of chilling effect that has. Do you think domestic software vendors have a chance to break through under these circumstances?”

Han Donglin was recording with his smartphone during Ding Youlun’s speech, and then he asked, “Academician Ding, I’ve recorded everything you’ve just said. Can I quote this in my news article?”

“That’s fine. Feel free to record it if you wish to use it,” Ding Youlun had no qualms about speaking the truth.

“Teacher, it’s getting late; let me take you home.”

It was then that Han Donglin remembered to interview the man of the moment and quickly asked, “Dr. Du, may I ask you a question?”

“What question?”

“Can this machine be mass-produced?”

Han Donglin understood that such ultra-high precision machines could be produced in China at no cost, but they couldn’t compete in the market against other countries.

Du Qiu smiled and replied, “This product is meant to make money. What do you think, can it be mass-produced? I can reveal a little: not only can it be, but the production volume will be immense!”

Han Donglin’s eyes lit up, and he nodded enthusiastically, “Good, thank you Dr. Du!”

As Du Qiu helped his teacher get into the car, Ding Youlun asked, “Is what you said about the massive production true?”

“Of course, teacher. You see that auxiliary robot? I can now fully automate its production. The production volume will match the market demand.”

“Good lad. So the real trump card is the robot, right?”

“You have a sharp eye, teacher!”

“No need for flattery. I will immediately write to the relevant ministry leaders to expedite the industrial 4.0 process of state-owned enterprises and fully equip them with domestic software and hardware. The market opportunity is created for you; it’s up to you how much you can take advantage of it.”

“Thank you, teacher.”