Chapter 27: Drawing Cakes
"Sir, as you can see, our factory is composed of the best craftsmen in the entire Seta, and every part is carefully manufactured by craftsmen."
The factory owner proudly introduced their production process to Ji Lin, just like a watchmaker introducing their sophisticated, hand-made clocks to his customers, and regarded them as a symbol of advancement and development, but In the eyes of Ji Lin, who is used to seeing assembly lines, these only mean inefficient production capacity.
"So, you produced the steam robots that attacked us before? How many can your mechanics produce in a month?"
Ji Lin asked immediately, which made the factory owner embarrassed for a while. When he saw Senota following Ji Lin, he suddenly realized that Ji Lin was not taboo about this matter, which meant that he was very interested in it. This officer did not shy away from this matter, and he did not need to hide it.
Of course, both sides still have a tacit agreement not to talk about the situation on the battlefield.
They are all tools, and they must be sold after they are made. No matter who you sell them to, they are not for sale.
"Our entire factory can produce two of these steam robots in thirty days, and we only have two rune craftsmen."
One machine every fifteen days... Ji Lin looked around, looking at the huge factory building where hundreds of people were working. The smell of engine oil was permeating the air, and the sound of the hydraulic press constantly beating the shape of the steel was somewhat... Indescribable feeling.
This is the largest factory in Seta City, so he came here first.
"If you are interested, I can take you to visit?"
Ji Lin nodded and followed the factory owner into the production workshop.
"Do you think that if each apprentice is responsible for the manufacturing of a single part, or if the factories in your city are united and each factory is responsible for the production of a part of the parts, can this speed be increased to at least twice the current rate?"
Ji Lin scratched his head and explained the idea of the standard assembly line to the factory owner in front of him.
"I can feel your urgent need for production capacity, but this is impossible, sir. The rune craftsmen and those mechanics all have their own unique skills. Workers who have just started, no, even those who have been working for five years cannot It must be made according to the blueprint. They all say that the machine is spiritual." He said in a low voice: "You know, many people like to 'leave a hand'.
"I have to be honest with you. There are differences within our factories. If the four factories in this city unite, I'm afraid..."
The factory owner shook his head.
He patiently explained to this officer, who in his eyes knew nothing about production, that he had done this kind of thing many times, and every buyer would do this and ask a lot of strange questions. What's more, the person in front of them will be the controller of their city for a long time to come.
The emergence of super steam engines only transformed the magic monopoly of mages into the technology monopoly of rune craftsmen and mechanics. Everyone did not want their technology to be leaked to the outside world. Even if they hire these rune craftsmen and mechanics, they cannot force them to hand over their technical data. People who do this will undoubtedly be hostile to everyone.
His factory could no longer employ craftsmen.
This astonishing technological monopoly is like a chasm that separates the Governor and the Resistance.
"The parts on every steam mech here may not be universal. If I remove this gear, it may not be usable on another steam mech." The well-dressed factory owner took off a piece and it just got stuck. The gears: "They are made by different craftsmen. This is just a metaphor, Mr. Ji."
Of course, Ji Lin, who is from the lower reaches of history, knows exactly where this problem arises. These steam robots are more like clocks. Those complicated internal gear structures and steam engine structures can only be done by mechanics and rune craftsmen. Manufacturing and manufacturing techniques are all secret.
"I see."
One piece every fifteen days. This is not a problem with the assembly line. The production of these things cannot be standardized. Each craftsman and machinist is doing his own thing.
It's just that the final products are called steam robots.
He has already visited it. Based on his knowledge, these steam robots can obviously shorten the manufacturing time again. More workers in this factory are coolies. The two rune craftsmen each had two or three apprentices accompanying them to help. They drew a red line. Within the red line was the working area and no one was allowed to enter.
They were two steam robots that were almost assembled. The rune craftsmen were carefully placing a blue core into the chest cavity, with the steam engines pointing upwards.
Not only standardization, but also education level is a big issue...
Ji Lin rubbed his head and decided not to think about these tormenting things. He wanted to focus on military affairs.
"What's the maximum load capacity of the steamer?"
"1000kg, sir."
After the factory owner walked away, Ji Lin looked at the newly recruited technical consultant standing next to him. After leaving the factory, he finally couldn't help but take out a pen and paper to record something.
"How much do you think the efficiency can be improved?"
Ji Lin asked.
"I think according to what you mean, there is no problem in increasing the speed by 2 times, sir."
Senota replied.
"If you are willing to fund my experiments, I will change this situation and make steam machinery popular and accessible to everyone."
Senota had already told Ji Lin about his research on the way here. It was called the steam core. Unlike ordinary rune craftsmen who only enhanced the structural strength and heat resistance of materials, it was the crudest application of force. The steam core was a miracle of mechanical engineering and runeology.
The steam core was the most critical module used by all large steam mechas. It could increase the thermal efficiency to 75% and drive these heavy mechas forward.
His research was to compress this thing into a small size, so that steam spiders, steam mechas, and steam mortars could all use this wonderful machinery, greatly compressing the space originally required for steam engines. What's even better is that this thing called the steam core is actually an engine, making standardization a reality.
He would definitely not invest in this kind of research that sounded like throwing money into an incinerator.
He was not XX.
Ji Lin decided to stabilize this technical consultant and let him help him research technology. After the research was done, he would talk about it. Since he was an engineering major and had such a big vision, it would not be a big problem for him to help him design a cannon.
Why would a guy with such ambitions end up in a marginal city like Seta today? First, his plan was too crazy. The technology of the steam core was completely monopolized by various governors. Second, he scrambled to steal the relevant technology, and he stole it.
But Ji Lin really had never heard of the name of Senota. Not having heard of this name means that this technology will not make any progress at least before he leaves this world.
He is absolutely cautious about Senota.
Without progress and success, he can't take this technology away. If he can't eat the big pie, he will just treat it as non-existent.
Ji Lin paused and looked at the factory for a long time.
"Help me remember something, 2km, 1000kg, direct fire, 75-120mm."
As the three numbers were said, as smart as Senota was, he immediately understood what Ji Lin meant.
Artillery range, artillery weight, firing mode and caliber.
He needs weapons.
"After you help me complete the research and development, I will convince the higher-ups to invest in your experiment."
"By the way, have you seen Jeanne... where did she go?"
Ji Lin scratched his head.
It seemed that Jeanne had disappeared when they just found the factory owner.