I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 1160 The Rise of Machining Technology
Moreover, if the Security Service were to discuss such a sensitive matter with the Tsar, it would make it seem as if Russia had been severely infiltrated by French intelligence.

You should know that Paul I was a very suspicious man.

“You don’t need to worry about this,” Joseph waved to Lavallet, then frowned, indicating that it wasn’t appropriate for him to get involved.

He suddenly slapped his forehead. Oh dear, isn't there Alexandra here?

Let her write a letter to Paul I, mentioning in it that someone might harm him. He should always listen to his own daughter.

The security chief then spoke about the situation in Central Asia: "The grain in Khiva and Bukhara is being over-consumed. Currently, even if Russia can regroup its troops, it will be difficult to launch another attack on India before next year's harvest. Unless we help them replenish their supplies via the Black Sea route."

Joseph immediately shook his head: "There's no need for that."

The British would soon realize that Russia's southward advance from Central Asia through the Khyber Pass was an impossible goal—the transportation was too poor and logistical support was completely inadequate—and would cease investing resources in Persia and Afghanistan.

However, the Bakhov Legion's experience served as a wake-up call for Joseph—logistics issues needed to be given more attention.

In fact, when Napoleon and Moreau advanced into Austria, the French army also faced severe logistical difficulties. Especially when passing through sparsely populated areas and relying entirely on rear transport, the logistical costs were 3 to 5 times higher than when fighting on the west bank of the Rhine.

If the French army were to march into Central Asia, could they have done a better job than Bakhoff?

Joseph immediately thought of the logistical marvel—canned food.

Canned food allows the military to carry large quantities of meat, thus significantly reducing logistical transport volume—a can of meat weighs only 0.5 kilograms, which is equivalent to three times the weight of grain.

Moreover, canned goods are easy to stack and fit very compactly in a wagon, allowing a single wagon to carry thousands of cans, making loading and unloading much more convenient. The cans are also waterproof, eliminating the need for tarpaulins to cover the wagon compartment, which adds another hundred pounds of weight.

Furthermore, canned food is always cooked, so it can be eaten immediately upon opening in an emergency. Sometimes, launching an attack 15 minutes earlier can influence the outcome of a war.

Joseph had thought about building a cannery before, but at that time, glass bottles could only be used as canning containers. They were not only expensive, but also easily broken during heating and sterilization, and even more easily broken during transportation.

Therefore, during the Napoleonic Wars, the production of glass jars was only a few thousand bottles per month, and they were not used for large-scale logistical supply.

Joseph turned his head to look at the French Academy of Sciences complex, which was faintly visible outside the car window.

Currently, France is experiencing a surge in precision machining equipment, and there are no longer any technical obstacles to producing sealed tin cans.

With the support of high-precision lathes and milling machines, and in conjunction with high-manganese steel bearings, it might even be possible to manufacture a coiling press.

Yes, he came to the Academy of Sciences today to attend the demonstration of the mass-production "high-precision rotary milling machine".

With no expense spared, the Whitney and Lenoir brothers completed the design of the new milling machine in less than 10 months.

This industrial marvel will propel France to new heights in the field of mechanical technology.

Tin cans are probably just a very minor part of it.

For security reasons, only about a dozen senior officials from the Academy of Sciences and the Royal Precision Equipment Company greeted the Crown Prince at the entrance; there wasn't even a band.

As Joseph entered the military-guarded experimental workshop, he immediately saw a high-precision milling machine, over 4 meters long and entirely black. The steam engine that powered it had already heated the boiler, emitting a rhythmic "clicking" sound.

Seeing that the Crown Prince was observing the new machine, the chief designer Whitney hurriedly stepped forward from the back row and introduced it to him in a solicitous manner: "Your Highness, this 'Royal Type I' rotary milling machine has achieved a machining accuracy of 0.2 millimeters."

Philippe Lenoir behind him whispered, "Actually, it can reach 0.16 millimeters."

Whitney glanced at him and said to Joseph, "Yes, sometimes it can reach 0.16 millimeters, but it's not stable enough. You know, it takes time to fine-tune and improve."

He then pointed to the complex feeding device: "At the same time, it can directly perform curved and concave surface machining, and can handle workpieces up to 55 centimeters in size. A skilled technician can complete the machining of a complex bearing bracket in just over 20 minutes..."

This speed may not seem like much, but in the late 18th century, when machining relied mainly on manual labor and could at most be assisted by linear machine tools, it was nothing short of a magical miracle!

It's worth noting that it usually takes two hours just to cut a single notch on the side of a bearing bracket.

The entire workpiece takes at least a day and a half to complete, and the precision is far less than that achieved using a "Royal I" milling machine.

Whitney then gestured to the steam engine at the rear of the milling machine: "Your Highness, this is the LJ20R steam engine specially designed by the United Steam Engine Company. It rotates very smoothly..."

Joseph interrupted him, asking the question that concerned him most: "How well did your new milling machine perform in machining steam engine crankshafts?"

Whitney paused for several seconds, then turned to look at Lenoir before hesitantly whispering, "If combined with a lathe and a grinding machine, it is indeed possible to machine the crankshaft..."

An excited glint flashed in his eyes: "That's right, the crankshaft can be milled directly. No need for bolts or welding!"

Joseph sighed inwardly. It was still an era when machining technology was just beginning. It seemed that the technicians would have to work on many more designs and manufacturing processes eventually.

Whitney was still pondering the crankshaft issue: "The grinding machine might not be precise enough; it will need to be done manually. It should take two days to complete the machining of one crankshaft..."

The structure of a crankshaft is very complex, and currently it can only be made by hand. It takes at least ten days to manufacture a qualified crankshaft.

Moreover, crankshafts machined by milling machines are essentially one-piece structures, with strength and precision several times higher than those made by hand.

Seeing the chief technician staring blankly, the general manager of Royal Precision Equipment Company gave a wink to Philippe Lenoir beside him.

The latter immediately stepped forward and bowed to Joseph: "Your Highness, please allow me to demonstrate this 'Royal Type I' milling machine to you."

"Okay, I'm really looking forward to it."

Lenoir bowed again, then took a trapezoidal iron blank from the pile of materials and skillfully fixed it onto the fixture of the milling machine.

As he pulled the handle, the gears engaged, and the steam engine at the rear drove the high-manganese steel milling cutter to rotate at high speed.

Iron filings flew everywhere.

Just 20 minutes later, Lenoir wiped his sweat, took a lathe spindle support off the fixture, and showed it to everyone present.

(End of this chapter)