"Laser Measuring Instrument?"
Zhāng Tiānmíng raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.
A Laser Measuring Instrument is used to measure high-precision parts, with a measurement accuracy reaching one nanometer, which is 0.000001mm.
Very few processed parts can meet this requirement. Within the country, only a few top research institutes have the capability to achieve this.
Internationally, it is considered high-precision, cutting-edge technology, and countries with strong technological accumulation are prohibited from exporting it.
Professor Táng, a close friend of Zhāng Tiānmíng, is responsible for tackling ultra-precision technology. They often discuss technical matters, which is why Zhāng Tiānmíng is well-informed about international ultra-precision technology.
"That's right, Director Zhāng. I need to use the Laser Measuring Instrument to verify my conjecture."
Gu Hui, still sweating from his haste, placed the part on the table and said excitedly.
Zhāng Tiānmíng's gaze fell on the part on the table. He examined it carefully and then smiled.
"Gu Hui, the surface of this part is smooth as a mirror. The roughness should be well-handled. The Precision Institute is responsible for the acceptance of outsourced products, so this part should meet the standard."
Gu Hui nodded. Generally, the higher the precision of a part, the smoother the cut surface. Ordinary machining precision is 0.01mm, which results in a matte mirror-like finish.
The sample before them was indistinguishable from a mirror. Standing to the side, one could clearly see everything in the room reflected on its surface.
Zhāng Tiānmíng's expression turned serious, and his tone shifted: "It's indeed rare for an outsourced product to reach this level, but you must know what kind of products the Laser Measuring Instrument is used to measure, right? Isn't this just fooling around?"
His eyes showed a hint of displeasure. The Aerospace Institute has a heavy workload.As the director, besides handling the institute's trivial matters, his more important role is to lead the technical team in tackling challenges.
Gu Hui is a technical prodigy whom he personally cultivated. With a high level of education and strong professional ability, he was promoted from a regular researcher to a leadership position in the Precision Institute within a few years.
However, his behavior today is too abnormal. As a subordinate, he barged in without knocking and wanted to use a Laser Measuring Instrument to measure a regular part?
Isn't this using a sledgehammer to crack a nut? A waste of resources!
If it weren't for Gu Hui's assistant being present, Zhāng Tiānmíng would have severely reprimanded Gu Hui.
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became oppressive.
The young assistant gently tugged at Gu Hui, signaling him to leave quickly.
"Director, I'm really not fooling around. I've made a new discovery this time, and perhaps the problem plaguing our institute can be solved with this."
Unexpectedly, Gu Hui seemed oblivious to Zhāng Tiānmíng's expression. He pointed at the blueprint on the table and said excitedly.
"Oh? Tell me about it."
Zhāng Tiānmíng's eyes finally showed a hint of surprise.
Gu Hui briefly explained how he couldn't accurately measure the sample's precision with ordinary measuring tools or pneumatic gauges.
Zhāng Tiānmíng also became curious, understanding that Gu Hui wouldn't lie.
However, he was still somewhat skeptical. If the sample were processed by a national research institute, he would believe it.
A private enterprise couldn't possibly possess such technical strength, nor would it have any reason to. Who would spend the effort of 100 yuan on a product worth only one yuan?
"Let's go and see. I'd like to see who would be so foolish."
After some consideration, Zhāng Tiānmíng decided to try.
The three of them quickly entered the Aerospace Institute's dedicated Laser Measuring Instrument room.
The assistant placed the workpiece on the operating table and then stood aside, hovering over the button.
"Measure it. I don't understand why you're so nervous."
Zhāng Tiānmíng stood with his arms crossed, dismissive.
Seeing Gu Hui and the assistant looking as if facing a great enemy, he found it somewhat amusing.
Gu Hui nodded to the assistant, who immediately pressed the button.
A green light, almost imperceptible to the naked eye, flashed across the part, and a reading appeared on the screen.
0.1 nanometers!
Zhāng Tiānmíng, Gu Hui, and the assistant stood frozen, looking at the reading as if they had seen a ghost.
One nanometer equals 0.000001mm. To put it figuratively, it's one-billionth of a human hair.
Although Gu Hui had mentally prepared himself, expecting the part's precision to be around 0.00001mm,
he never imagined the measured precision would be a hundred times greater than expected.
It had reached sub-nanometer level, and judging by the screen's reading, the Laser Measuring Instrument hadn't even detected the part's ultimate precision!
"This is impossible, this is impossible!"
Zhāng Tiānmíng stared at the reading, murmuring to himself. His heart was racing, and his face was flushed with excitement.
"Measure it again, quickly!"
After a long pause, Zhāng Tiānmíng seemed to remember something and issued the command to the assistant.
The assistant quickly pressed the button again. Unlike ordinary manual measuring instruments, the Laser Measuring Instrument doesn't require precise positioning; the part just needs to be placed in the correct location.
The same reading reappeared on the screen: 0.1 nanometers!
"Excellent! We've struck gold!"
Zhāng Tiānmíng trembled with excitement, clutching the part tightly, reluctant to let go.
In that instant, his mind raced. He thought of the long-standing problems plaguing the Aerospace Institute, of the issues his old classmate had been tirelessly pursuing, which could now be resolved.
He thought of how, due to technological blockades, many ultra-precision technologies were stifled, causing many major projects to pay an unimaginable price.
Now, all these problems would be easily solved!
As a responsible old technician, the joy in his heart was almost bursting forth.
"Old Director, Old Director!"
Seeing Zhāng Tiānmíng's somewhat frantic demeanor, Gu Hui and the assistant looked concerned.
"I'm fine."
Zhāng Tiānmíng pulled a cigarette from his pocket and lit it, calming himself.
"What happened today is not to be disclosed. We will use secrecy protocols."
Zhāng Tiānmíng looked at Gu Hui and the assistant with a solemn expression.
"Huh?"
Gu Hui and the assistant were surprised, exchanging glances.
Isn't this just an ultra-high-precision part? Why would it involve secrecy protocols?
"Give me the contact information of this outsourced supplier."
Zhāng Tiānmíng waved his hand, signaling the assistant to leave first, then said to Gu Hui.
"The outsourced supplier is named Hu Kai. He has some connections in the city. This batch of goods should have been processed by someone he commissioned. For his own benefit, he's unlikely to reveal the processing factory."
Gu Hui hesitated. He had dealt with Hu Kai and had a very poor impression of the cunning man.
"He has no choice. When it comes to national interests, everyone must yield!"
Zhāng Tiānmíng smiled faintly, without any hesitation.
After speaking, Zhāng Tiānmíng walked to his office, picked up the landline, and dialed a number.
"Director Zhāng, please issue your orders!"
A crisp and decisive voice came from the phone.
"In Tiannan City, there's a businessman named Hu Kai. Within ten minutes, I want to know which factory produced the most recent order for the Aerospace Institute that he commissioned. I need detailed information about the specific personnel and their address."
Zhāng Tiānmíng spoke very quickly and concisely.