Lin Yun stood in the center of Room 205, the newly assigned lab that would serve as the birthplace of his CNC system project. The space was modest but functional, with high ceilings, sturdy workbenches, and a few outdated machines tucked into the corners.
The faint hum of fluorescent lights filled the air, and the scent of metal and oil lingered—a reminder of the lab's previous occupants. Lin Yun took a deep breath, feeling a surge of excitement. This was his domain now, a place where he could bring his vision to life.
He rolled up his sleeves and got to work, starting with the machines that had been moved into the lab under Professor Wang's permission. There was a lathe, a milling machine, and a few other pieces of equipment that, while outdated, would serve as the foundation for his project.
Lin Yun inspected each machine carefully, noting their condition and making a mental list of the modifications they would need.
The first step was to upgrade the machines with modern components. Lin Yun had spent countless hours in the DDL space, mastering the intricacies of CNC technology.
He knew exactly what needed to be done. He opened his backpack and pulled out a set of blueprints, spreading them across one of the workbenches. The diagrams were detailed, outlining the precise modifications required to transform these old machines into state-of-the-art CNC systems.
"Let's start with the lathe." Lin Yun muttered to himself as he gazed at the old-fashioned lathe.
The lathe was a bulky, industrial piece of equipment, its surface worn from years of use. The control panel was a relic of the past, with analog dials and manual levers that required a skilled operator to use effectively. Lin Yun knew that to turn this into a CNC lathe, he would need to replace the outdated controls with a digital interface.
However, the technology of this world was a bit backward, and touchscreens were still a futuristic concept. Lin Yun had to work within the constraints of the era. He pulled out a set of components he had prepared in advance—a microcontroller, a series of buttons, and a small LCD screen. These were the building blocks of his new control system.
He removed the old control panel, carefully disconnecting the wires and setting the analog dials aside. In their place, he installed the microcontroller, wiring it to the lathe's motors and sensors.
The LCD screen was mounted above the buttons, providing a digital readout of the machine's status. It wasn't as sleek as a touchscreen, but it was a significant improvement over the old system.
Next, Lin Yun installed a series of servo motors, which would allow for precise control of the lathe's movements. The original motors were powerful but imprecise, relying on manual adjustments to achieve accuracy.
The new servo motors, combined with the microcontroller, would enable the lathe to follow digital instructions with pinpoint precision.
The final step was to program the microcontroller. Lin Yun connected it to the computer. He had already written the software in the DDL space, and now he uploaded it to the microcontroller. The program was designed to interpret digital designs and translate them into machine movements, a process that would form the core of the CNC system.
By the end of the day, the lathe was fully upgraded. Lin Yun powered it on, watching as the LCD screen lit up and the machine hummed to life. He entered a simple design into the system—a cylindrical shape with a series of grooves—and pressed the start button.
Buzz—
The lathe sprang into action, its movements smooth and precise. Lin Yun watched with satisfaction as the machine carved the design into a block of metal, its accuracy far surpassing the capabilities of the original system.
"Phew… It's done." Lin Yun wiped the sweat from his forehead, a satisfied smile on his face. It had gone smoother than he had anticipated.
However, Lin Yun knew that this couldn't be considered a complete CNC machine, but rather a half-baked one due to the limitations of the hardware. His next step was to build an entirely new machine from scratch with the help of this partially completed lathe and the other tools.
"Well, it's a good start, I guess," Lin Yun said to himself.
Ring—
Suddenly, his phone rang. Lin Yun glanced at it and saw that it was Pan Wei.
"What's up, Fatty?" Lin Yun asked as he answered the call.
"Where are you, Brother Yun? I just arrived in West Lake City," Pan Wei's voice came through.
"Oh? You're here? I'm at WLIT right now. Why don't you come over? We can meet at the gate," Lin Yun responded.
"Alright. I'll be there in a few minutes," Pan Wei said and hung up.
Lin Yun put his phone away, packed up his things, and left the lab.
Lin Yun walked out of the campus, the cool evening breeze brushing against his face. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm golden glow over the city of West Lake.
He made his way to the gate, where he spotted Pan Wei waiting for him.
"Brother Yun! Over here!" Pan Wei called out.
"Fatty." Lin Yun smiled and walked towards his best friend.
"Brother Yun? Is that really you?" Pan Wei asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Lin Yun chuckled, stopping a few feet away. "Who else would it be, Fatty? It's been a while, hasn't it?"
Pan Wei stepped closer, squinting as if he were trying to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. "Brother Yun, what happened to you? You look… different. Did you get taller? And your face—it's like you've been sculpted by a master artist. Did you get plastic surgery or something?"
Lin Yun laughed, shaking his head. "Plastic surgery? Really, Fatty? I've just been taking care of myself, that's all. No need to exaggerate."
Pan Wei crossed his arms, still staring at Lin Yun with a mix of awe and suspicion. "No way. This isn't just 'taking care of yourself.' You look like you stepped out of a magazine. I mean, look at you! You're taller, your face is sharper, and you've got this… I don't know, this aura about you. What's your secret?"
Lin Yun shrugged, trying to downplay it. "I've been working out a bit, eating healthier, and getting enough sleep. That's all. You should try it sometime."
Pan Wei snorted. "Yeah, right. If it were that easy, everyone would look like you. Seriously, Brother Yun, you've changed. I almost didn't recognize you."
Lin Yun smiled, patting Pan Wei on the shoulder. "Well, I'm still the same person on the inside. Now, how about we grab some food? You can tell me all about your adventures in Far East City."
Pan Wei's expression brightened at the mention of food. "Now you're talking! I know a great place nearby. Let's go."