LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 34
Chapter 34: High-End CNC Machine Tools and Advanced Sensors
Zhang Liang brought Fang Jian to a tea house, reserved a private room, and ordered a teapot.
Fang Jian, sounding annoyed, asked, “Hey, what’s this about? Just get to the point. I don’t want to stay up late with you.”
Zhang Liang was shocked and asked, “What?”
With a wry smile, Fang Jian said, “I know you too well. You wouldn’t invite me out for no reason. Spit it out.”
Zhang Liang stared at him, thinking, “Am I really that stingy?”
They briefly exchanged after preparing the tea and offering Fang Jian a cigarette. Fang Jian refused the cigarette, saying, “I quit smoking.”
Zhang Liang was surprised and asked, “Didn’t you learn how to smoke long ago?”
Fang Jian explained, “Yi Yi doesn’t like it, so I quit.”
Zhang Liang couldn’t help but think Fang Jian was quite devoted to his younger sister.
Zhang Liang returned the cigarette and said, “Lao Fang, besides your connections in the mining industry, do you have any other international connections?”
Fang Jian realized that Zhang Liang was representing the government and seeking his assistance. He asked, “What do you need?”
Zhang Liang was secretly pleased that Fang Jian didn’t immediately refuse, seeing a glimmer of hope. Though it wasn’t a strong hope, it was still hope.
He said, “Fang Jian, I shouldn’t be discussing this with you. My rank isn’t high enough. But our superiors want me to bear the responsibility.”
Fang Jian smiled but remained silent, knowing that someone else had already approached him about this matter, but he had turned them down. He didn’t want Zhang Liang to know about it.
Fang Jian urged Zhang Liang to be direct, and Zhang Liang proceeded to ask, “We need high-end CNC machine tools and advanced sensors. Can you help us find a way?”
Fang Jian thought for a moment and asked, “Are these items in short supply?”
Zhang Liang sighed, and the two of them began discussing this matter.
As a cornerstone of modern industry, the machine tool industry is a crucial factor in industrial and economic development. While basic machine tools in China, especially low-end ones, have achieved localization, the country lags in mid-to-high-end machine tools, making it one of China’s most imported products.
In the high-end CNC machine tool sector, only 17.6% of the products are domestically made, while in the popular CNC machine tool sector, the localization rate is about 87.5%. However, most domestically produced CNC machine tools rely on foreign control and servo systems/motors.
Zhang Liang explained, “Machine tools are the foundation of modern manufacturing, and precision machining is increasingly important. Higher precision products depend on high-end CNC machine tools.”
He gestured with his fingers and continued, “Currently, most high-performance machine tools in China are imported from countries like Germany, the United States, and Japan. The self-sufficiency rate of high-end CNC machine tools is less than 10%, and domestically produced machine tools fall short in accuracy and service life compared to international ones.”
Zhang Liang hesitated but finally said, “In reality, many crucial components we use are made from imported machine tools.”
Zhang Liang’s face turned slightly red as he spoke, showing his frustration.
Fang Jian could sense Zhang Liang’s humiliation and unwillingness. He understood the mindset of striving for excellence in a great nation like Longguo.
Fang Jian didn’t say anything and filled their cups with tea. He then raised his teacup with both hands, clinked it with Zhang Liang’s, and they drank it all in one go.
Putting down the teacup, Fang Jian said, “Alright, let’s talk about the high-end sensors.”