Gou is a dark elf in Warhammer

"actual?"

Daxus muttered to himself, raised his head slightly to look at the ceiling, and tapped his fingertips lightly on the table. He was thinking about how to break down the complex concepts into something more intuitive and understandable.

After a moment, he turned his gaze to the Vaal priests sitting on the other side, and raised the corners of his mouth slightly, "When you were in Asheril, you should have seen the Axis system in the textile factory, right?"

The Val priests nodded upon hearing this. The complex and sophisticated mechanical device was still fresh in their memory.

"So, if you follow your current production model, with two people working in a group and manufacturing by hand, how many hours would it take to make a set of axial systems with the same specifications as those in a textile factory?"

At this point, the Vaal priests did not look at each other first, but fell into a brief contemplation. The so-called two-person team, one is sighted and the other is traditional, what's the point of looking at each other? It's like telling a deaf-mute to follow my orders. But they discussed in a low voice, each combining their own areas of expertise to make calculations and deductions.

"500 hour?"

“Maybe 450 hours?”

Vague answers were thrown out one after another, with uncertainty and hesitation.

In the era when steam engines were used as power, the sky axis system was the core power transmission method for factory mechanization. Its core was to distribute the power of steam engines or water turbines to various production machines through one or more long shafts running through the top of the factory building. This system was the core power architecture of industrialized production before the popularization of electricity. Because it was deployed above, it was called the sky axis.

The sky shaft system consists of a power source, which is a steam engine or a water turbine; a sky shaft, which is a long shaft across the top of the factory building, usually made of steel or wood, supported on the beams by bearings;

There are usually two transmission devices, one is a pulley installed on the axis, and the speed is adjusted by pulleys of different diameters. The other is a transmission belt, usually made of leather, rubber or canvas, connecting the axis and the machine.

The speed control and clutch devices are the same as the transmission devices, and there are also two of them. One is the clutch, which controls the start and stop of the machine by moving the position of the transmission belt on the pulley; the other is the speed change pulley set, which adjusts the machine speed by combining pulleys of different diameters.

The axial system achieved centralized power distribution for the first time, replacing the decentralized waterwheel, human and animal power. It was typically used in textile mills, wood processing plants, metal forging workshops, etc. in the 19th century. The structure was simple, relying on mechanical transmission, and no complex electrical equipment was required. At this time, electrical equipment was not available...

The overhead axis system is a product of the times. It is easy to use but also has defects and limitations. The energy loss is large, and the belt slippage, friction and long-distance transmission lead to low efficiency. The high-speed rotating overhead axis and exposed transmission belt are prone to cause industrial accidents and pose a safety hazard. The overhead axis needs to run through the entire factory building, which limits the flexibility of the factory layout and cannot achieve remote control and precise speed regulation in the electric age.

With the advent of electricity, the Tianzhu system withdrew from the stage of history. After all, electricity is more practical, each machine can be powered independently, power transmission is more efficient, and supports precise control. However, the Tianzhu system also left a technological legacy, and its mechanical principles are still used in modern conveyor belts, gearboxes and other equipment.

"Then the question is..." Daxus glanced at the Val priests and craftsmen present, paused for a moment, and then spoke slowly.

He leaned forward slightly, tapping his fingers on the table, and said in a guiding tone, "If the bearings supporting the axis, or the bolts, rivets and other fasteners wear out over time and need to be replaced, can we directly use another set of manufactured parts and replace them without any hindrance?"

"Can't do it!"

Without any hesitation, Mikum's answer was decisive and direct.

"Because of what?"

"The specifications are different!" Mikum replied in a deep voice without any hesitation. "As you just said, there is no standardization and no unified rules, which leads to differences in the sizes, processes, and interfaces of all the parts involved. This not only causes confusion and inefficient operations, but also means that in the absence of parts reserves, we need to spend extra time measuring the specifications and individually creating suitable parts instead of directly replacing them."

Daxus narrowed his eyes slightly, shook his finger gently, then pointed at Mikum, with a meaningful smile on his face.

"This is why I like dealing with smart people, who can quickly grasp the essence of the problem and avoid meaningless arguments." He sighed, then slowly stood up, retracted his gesture, and spoke in a sonorous and powerful voice with unquestionable determination, "So, we must establish standards!"

“Standardization is the cornerstone of civilization and progress. Whether it is manufacturing, construction, war, or trade, everything needs to be run under unified standards. Otherwise, no matter how high our production capacity is or how sophisticated our craftsmanship is, we will eventually be dragged down by slight errors, affecting the overall quality and efficiency. In the end, we will be like those ignorant monkeys, trapped in endless chaos and inefficiency, and will never be able to build a truly powerful system.”

He paused, slowly scanning the crowd to make sure everyone was listening carefully, and then continued.

"At present, our mechanical equipment lacks unified standards, resulting in low production efficiency and poor compatibility. At first glance, they are almost identical, as if they were poured from the same mold, but what is the reality? If you check carefully, you will find that each of their components has subtle differences. Some gears are slightly larger in size, some bolts are slightly offset in position, and even the materials and processing methods of the drive shafts are different."

He slowly withdrew his hand and tapped the table with his fingertips again, making a crisp sound.

“If there’s a problem with one of the devices, workers should be able to just remove the same part from another machine and replace it, right?” His tone was playful and frivolous, but the truth behind it was cold and ruthless.

"But the fact is, the workers can't do it at all. Only magic can solve this problem. That's the problem!"

Daxus paused for a moment, giving everyone time to digest the information.

"Our current factories, whether they are steel mills or textile mills, are essentially just a framework, like a house that has already been built. The foundation of the house has been laid, the walls have been erected, but the interior is still a mess, just like the current production system, there is no unified standard, the production of all parts, the maintenance of all equipment, and the operation of all workers still rely on their own experience and traditions, rather than a complete set of rigorous and efficient systems."

"When decorating a house, we don't place furniture randomly, but have a plan and layout to maximize the function of each space. Similarly, when building a factory, we can't let the production process develop in a disorderly manner, but have standards and specifications to ensure that all links can be seamlessly connected."

After Dacus finished speaking, he slowly leaned back in his chair, his eyes still sharp, observing the reactions on everyone's faces. He knew that although all this sounded simple, it would not be achieved overnight. Standardization is not only a technological innovation, but also a change in thinking. Change always requires guidance, time, and specific people to promote it.

Kolan sat on the other side, seemingly staying out of the discussion, but in fact he was always listening to Dacus's remarks. At first, he felt unfamiliar with these complex concepts and even a little impatient, but as the discussion deepened, his mood gradually changed.

He vaguely understood that the system built by Dacus was not just a simple technological innovation, but a complete change in the way of thinking. These things sounded strange and distant, but he could feel that their emergence would fundamentally subvert the traditional way and might even change the entire war mode of Duruchi.

He slowly raised his head and his eyes fell on Hilcis opposite him, trying to find a hint of doubt on the other's face. However, Hilcis's expression was calm and natural, as if all this was natural and should be so.

Kolan's heart was shaken, and at this moment, he felt an invisible boundary. He was the leader of the Black Guard and a loyal warrior of Malekith. His world always revolved around battles, blood, and power.

And what about Daxus? He not only controls the battlefield, but also shapes the future. The dimension of his thinking has far exceeded the simple battle of swords.

At this moment, Koulan knew where his limit was.

He could never have such a clear plan for the future as Dacus, nor could he break away from old ideas in a short period of time and accept and promote such profound changes. All of this was ultimately out of his reach. All he could do was accept and understand, and try not to fall behind.

"Dakuius... is really capable." He sighed in his heart, then lowered his head, stopped thinking about it, and listened carefully.

Seeing that the Val priests had basically digested the previous content, Daquus continued.

"So, the core issue we need to solve now is to manufacture machine tools with unified standards!" His tone was steady, but every word was full of power. "Machine tools are the basic equipment for manufacturing other machines or parts. They are the backbone of the entire manufacturing system and the foundation of industrialization."

To put it simply, a machine tool is a machine tool.

A lathe rotates the workpiece and uses a tool to cut external circles, internal holes, threads, etc.; a milling machine uses a rotating tool to process planes, grooves, gears, etc. on the workpiece; a drilling machine is easy to understand, it is used for drilling, expanding holes, reaming, etc.; a grinder uses a grinding wheel to perform precision grinding on the workpiece.

There are also boring machines for machining precision internal holes or complex cavities on large workpieces and planers for machining flat surfaces with reciprocating tools.

If it is upgraded again, it will become a CNC machine tool, and if it is upgraded again, it will become a black box?

In addition to machine tools, there are also special processing equipment and other special machine tools. Cutting machines for cutting metal or non-metallic materials. Gear hobbing machines, gear shaping machines, and gear grinding machines used to make gears. Presses for stamping and forging equipment; bending machines for sheet metal bending and forming; injection molding machines for plastic molding equipment.

"I believe that the combination of machine tools and standardization is the core of efficient operation. The two complement each other. Machine tools are production tools, while standardization is the criterion to ensure that these tools can operate stably and efficiently. Only when standardization is established can we ensure that the specifications of each machine tool and each part are consistent, truly realize the interchangeability of parts and components, and improve production efficiency."

Dacre paused, then further explained, "To give the simplest example, the tool installation interface of lathes and other machine tools must be standardized and universal. When manufacturing lathes, we must set standards in advance to unify the taper matching dimensions of the tool and the spindle. In this way, workers can quickly replace drills and milling cutters on different machine tools, reducing downtime and improving processing efficiency."

He tapped the table lightly and continued.

"At present, almost all of our parts are handmade, which means that the sizes of screws and bolts are bound to be chaotic, which will directly lead to difficulties in mechanical maintenance. Therefore, we must establish thread standards, unify thread angles, pitches, and tooth shapes, and let all machine tools process threaded parts according to the same standards to achieve interchangeability of mechanical parts."

Hearing this, the Vaal priests began to nod unconsciously. They were good at forging and understood these concepts much faster than ordinary craftsmen. When theory and practice were combined, they had deeply realized the importance of standardization.

Seeing this, Daxus raised the corners of his mouth slightly, and then emphasized his tone.

"The thread standard is actually a perfect embodiment of the core elements of standardization. It has three key features: unified rules, scope of application and dynamic update. Unified rules can ensure that all parts are manufactured according to the same standards to avoid compatibility problems; the scope of application means that standardization must cover all key areas, not just a few links; and dynamic updates are to enable the standards to be continuously optimized to adapt to future technological developments and industrial needs."

He paused for a moment, glanced at the people present, and then spoke slowly.

“Once the standards are established, we can conduct real assembly-line production, shorten the cycle, reduce costs, and lay the foundation for large-scale manufacturing.”

He raised one hand, gestured in the air with his fingertips, and tapped the table lightly.

"Take the steam engine as an example. The first step is to prepare a complete set of drawings. Then, we need to standardize every part on the drawings, unify the dimensions of key components such as cylinders, pistons, and connecting rods, and specify clear tolerance ranges. For example, the inner diameter tolerance of the cylinder must be strictly controlled within a certain value."

"But drawings alone are not enough. We also need precision boring machines. Only high-precision boring machines can mass-produce cylinders that meet standards and ensure the sealing between the piston and the cylinder."

He slowly pressed his palm downward, his tone low and powerful.

"Once we have completed this process, we can further subdivide the manufacturing process of the steam engine and break down the entire production process into a series of standardized processes such as casting, boring, and assembly. In this way, workers can operate boring machines and milling machines according to fixed processes to carry out assembly line production."

He looked at the Vaal priests with a deep gaze.

"And when all this is completed, we will no longer need to rely on those manual forging skills. Industrial production will completely replace manual manufacturing, and we will officially move from the customization model to the real engineering model!"

Karahir was taking notes seriously, his expression focused, his pen moving quickly, almost without stopping.

"By then, the production cycle of a single steam engine will be shortened from several months to several weeks, and the interchangeability of parts will also greatly reduce maintenance costs." He said as he fiddled with tableware, treating it as a part of a steam engine. "This marks our official transition from the 'craftsman mode' to the 'engineering mode'. We will no longer rely on the experience and superb magic of individual masters, but on precise standardized processes to truly realize the great transformation of assembly line production!"

After these words were spoken, the entire table fell into a strange silence.

The eyes of the sighted Val priests became brighter and brighter. They were completely immersed in the industrial blueprint drawn by Daxus, as if they could already see the future, a future full of steam and steel, precision and efficiency.

The entire ceiling system has core components, a ceiling axis connected in sections, brackets adapted according to the factory layout, pulleys corresponding to each machine, and transmission belts adjusted according to the length and distance. Auxiliary components are bearings, fasteners, balance blocks, etc. The core components and auxiliary components add up to about 1-50 parts.

That’s why the Vaal priests reported such a long working time.

Steam engines... take longer to make, have more parts and processes.

He didn't use the axis system as an example because the axis system is more DIY-oriented. Of course, there are other examples that can be cited.

In the early days of the industrial age, gun parts relied on manual repair and could not be repaired in batches. After the innovation and standardization of machine tools, the dimensional errors of parts almost disappeared, leaving only tolerances that were invisible to the naked eye. This made it possible to interchange gun parts, greatly improving battlefield maintenance efficiency and promoting the popularization of the concept of interchangeable parts manufacturing. This is even more true for railroads. In the early days, the track gauges were chaotic and trains could not run across lines. Until the emergence of standardized track rolling machines, which are rolling mills. The unified production of Stephenson gauge, that is, 1435 mm wide rails, promotes the interconnection of transnational railway networks. The application of wide rails is a model for the formulation and promotion of industry standards.

In Dacus's opinion, the so-called time travel tools such as hydraulic forging hammers were just trifles, and the real way was standardization. Of course, the conditions were there. He had the support of the sorceresses and the Val priest system. Perhaps another one would do better than him?
In his previous life, standardization was perfected step by step after a long period of time, countless trials and errors, and improvements. But now, under his promotion, Nagaros's industrial system has directly surpassed others. While machine tools have not yet been fully popularized, the standardized framework has already been established.

what does this mean?
It means that future industrial production will not go through the lengthy and inefficient era of manual forging, but will directly enter the stage of precision manufacturing. It means that they will not waste hundreds of years groping, but will do it in one step, allowing the entire industrial system to be built on the basis of efficiency, standardization and sustainable development from the very beginning.

This is not a simple technological innovation, but a complete change in mindset.

Mikum listened to Dacus's story, and the light in his eyes became brighter and brighter. His mind was running at high speed, trying to integrate these concepts into his own cognitive system. After a moment, he took a deep breath and slowly spoke.

"So... we still need to manually manufacture parts first, assemble the parts into machine tools? Then establish standardization, let the machine tools produce standardized parts, and finally use these standardized parts to assemble standardized machine tools?!"

Initially, there was a hint of uncertainty in his tone, but as his words took shape, his voice gradually became firmer, as if the vague fog in his mind had been completely cleared away.

"Yes, that's it! We will completely switch from the craftsman mode to the engineering mode, and we will also change from craftsmen to what you call..."

He paused, as if chewing on this new concept, then his eyes lit up and he spoke in a sonorous and powerful tone.

"engineer!"

"No, it's senior engineer!" Daxus smiled and pointed at Mikum, his voice filled with rare relief and appreciation.

This time, the whole restaurant was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

The Vaal priests exchanged glances with each other, their excitement and shock needing no words. They had already vaguely realized that they were standing at the starting point of a great era. Their names would be engraved in the cornerstone of the future industrial system.

Daxus smiled and glanced at Malekith, wanting to see what the King of Naggaroth thought about this. However, Malekith remained stern and did not show much emotion, obviously not interested in these academic discussions.

Seeing this, Dacus turned his head and set his eyes on Bel-Aihor, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised. He asked in a casual but irresistible tone, "Tell me about your understanding of standardization?"

Bel-Ahol frowned slightly, his expression slightly tangled, he was still digesting these new and huge concepts. He was silent for a moment, thinking about how to answer, and finally spoke slowly.

"If every sword is of the same length, weight, and width, and every piece of armor is made according to the same template, then soldiers' equipment can be replaced more quickly and quickly when damaged, without having to customize it again?"

There was a hint of hesitation in his tone, and he tried his best to hide the fear in his words.

Yes, his logic was correct and his understanding was clear, but deep down he was already beginning to feel fear.

Because this is not just an industrial innovation, but also an innovation in the mode of warfare.

Even though Dacius never directly mentioned military applications in this conversation, as an Asur noble he could not help but think of the terrible effects of standardization in warfare.

If weapons, armor, ships, and siege engines can all be mass-produced, then war will no longer be a protracted battle of craftsmanship, but a clash of endless war machines driven by the industrial system.

And Duruchi has already walked on this path, and Asul...

Bel-Ahol's throat tightened slightly and the corners of his mouth twitched imperceptibly.

"Not only that, the benefits of standardization extend far beyond the military." Daxus smiled, his tone still relaxed, as if he didn't notice Bel-Ehor's nervousness. "It covers every aspect of our lives, including buildings, bridges, ships, machinery, and even... the meal we are eating."

As he spoke, he picked up a piece of dry and hard bread with a fork, stared at the bread for a few seconds, then frowned helplessly, and finally put the bread back.

He sighed softly and then joked.

"If the standards of ingredients, cooking processes, and distribution methods can be optimized and unified, then perhaps we wouldn't be eating this inedible lunch today?"

These words startled everyone, and then the depressing atmosphere was broken, and low laughter sounded around the table.

In fact, Dacus was not joking. In his opinion, pre-prepared meals are an important application area of ​​standardization. Their production, processing, packaging and storage must follow unified standards to ensure food safety, stable quality and large-scale production.

Standardize the purchase of raw materials, and clarify the types, origins, and specifications of ingredients. Quantitative operations are required from cleaning, cutting to cooking. Limit the use of preservatives and pigments in accordance with the "National Food Safety Standards". The residual oxygen content and freezing temperature of vacuum packaging must meet the standards.

In short, pre-prepared meals are a typical product of food industry standardization, and their development depends on the standardization of the entire chain from raw materials to consumer terminals.

But the reality is...but, but...right?
"Previous skills rely on experience, not cold numbers..." A Vaal priest frowned and sighed, with some hesitation and reluctance in his tone.

Experience is the wisdom that masters pass on to their apprentices, and it is the treasure accumulated from generations of forging craftsmanship.

Now, he has chosen to embrace the new system, but he still feels quite emotional.

"That's why we need to change." Daxus responded calmly, his tone unhurried, as if he had anticipated such doubts.

“Numbers don’t lie. They are more reliable than experience. Experience belongs to individuals, while standards belong to everyone.”

His eyes swept over everyone present. Every Vaal priest and every listener was thinking, and he knew that he had planted a seed in their hearts.

Experience is valuable, but it is inevitably subjective and limited. Standardization is a tool to transcend personal limitations and establish universal consensus.

This is also a tool and rule to fight against Tzeentch.

Tzeentch's power comes from change, conspiracy and unpredictability. He manipulates reality through trickery, magic and chaotic rules, trying to break order and create endless chaos. Standardization, as a tool of order, regularity and predictability, can effectively counter Tzeentch's chaotic nature.

Specifically...

Malekith did not speak, he just listened quietly, his eyes flickering slightly, as if he was thinking deeply about something.

"If standardization can be achieved, we can build more ships of the same specifications, making supply and repair more efficient. We can also manufacture more stable equipment so that they can be used more accurately in life, construction, and even on the battlefield."

Karahir nodded thoughtfully, picturing a perfectly standardized fleet in his mind, where every warship was of the same specifications, every part could be quickly replaced, and every sailor could fit in seamlessly on any ship.

"Standardized weapons and armor will allow soldiers to adapt faster, formations will be more orderly, and maintenance will be easier." Koulan said calmly. He is a soldier, and he can clearly realize that when all soldiers' equipment is completely unified, training will be more efficient, supplies on the battlefield will be smoother, and even the execution of tactics will be greatly improved.

“Buildings can benefit, too.”

Colonia smiled and added, "Standardized bricks and beams can speed up construction and expand each city several times faster. In the past, it took us decades or even hundreds of years to build a city, but in the future, perhaps only a few years will be enough to build a stable and large city."

"But this... won't it become stereotyped and rigid? If everything is manufactured according to the same standards, won't diversity be lost?" Just as everyone began to think about the widespread application of standardization, a Vaal priest frowned and showed a puzzled expression.

Diversity is the pride of the Elven world. Every craftsman has his own style, every city has its own characteristics, every sword, every set of armor, and even every statue carries the soul and creativity of different craftsmen.

If everything is standardized, will the art and individuality of the elves be erased?

"There is no conflict. The construction industry uses unified safety standards, but the appearance and structure can be diverse." Daxus knew that this issue would be raised sooner or later. He stood up slowly, folded his hands on his chest, glanced at everyone steadily, then raised one hand and made a gesture.

"Just like our bodies! All elves have the same bone structure and limb proportions. Our blood vessels, organs, and muscle tissue all follow the same biological laws."

"But this does not prevent each of us from having different appearances, different personalities, and different specialties."

“Standardization is like our skeleton, providing a stable foundation for society. But this does not mean that we should erase individuality. On the contrary, on this basis, we can create a more diverse, richer and more distinctive world.”

"This is my idea!"

Daxus gently put down his hand, his tone was not passionate at all, but very contagious.

"Establish standards and promote them throughout Naggaroth and even the entire elven world!"

His tone was calm, yet it carried a certain unquestionable certainty.

"So, standards are not just for producing more weapons and equipment, or making factories run more smoothly. Their ultimate goal is to shape a completely new social structure and achieve material unification."

“More than that, it is a way of thinking and a symbol of order.”

“When all things have standards, our world will become more orderly and more efficient, allowing everyone, whether a worker, soldier, businessman or scholar, to find the position that best suits them in this system and maximize their value.”

He paused, stretched out his hand as if lifting something, looked directly at Malekith, and his tone became deeper.

"And you! Malekith, will be the founder of this order!"

A dead silence.

Daxus's ordinary words were like a silencing spell, leaving everyone present speechless in an instant, and making everyone present motionless.

Everyone felt the weight of these words; even the air seemed to grow heavier.

Kolan and Hirsis looked at each other, their eyes filled with unspeakable shock and confusion.

What does standardization have to do with Malekith?
How does it relate to order?

But what confused them even more was...

This flattery was so advanced that it was far beyond their understanding!
After the silence lasted for several seconds, Malekith sneered softly, and looked at Darkus with a deep look in his eyes. The corners of his mouth behind the mask curled up slightly, revealing an ambiguous smile.

"Continue..." (End of this chapter)