Chapter 138 - 138 Tarepan
Steve was with Nick and Cyril in the factory's prototype building. Before them stood a machine that was unfamiliar to both Nick and Cyril.
Steve pointed at that machine.
"It's a Tarepan."
"Tare, Panda?"
"Nick, don't cut in there. This is a machine tool called 'Tarepan'."
What Steve was pointing at was a machine called Tarepan. Its official name is Turret Punch Press. Steve knew that he could make a press machine with magic, but he remembered that the machine he had always called Tarepan in his previous life had the official name Turret Punch Press, so he tried making it with magic, and he successfully created it.
A Tarepan is a machine tool for punching thin plates using a universal die, and for NC control, it is quite advanced technology.
He explained that to the two of them.
"So, this is a machine that punches plates, and you want us to try using it, right?"
"Yes."
Steve said that, then created a 1mm thick stainless steel plate. The program was entered into the Tarepan, and once the material was set, processing started. The Tarepan processed rhythmically, thump-thump, thump-thump, and when processing ended, punched metal was completed there. Punched metal is an iron plate with round holes. Many people have seen stainless steel ashtrays or plates for draining water.
That was what was completed.
Steve took the plate out of the Tarepan and handed it to Nick and Cyril.
"Hee, this is interesting. Can you make other things with it?"
"Well. Right now I just punched it with a round die, but there are square dies too."
Nick was very interested in the finished product, but Cyril was very interested in the NC control. That was the difference between the two.
"What exactly is this NC control?"
"It stands for Numerical Control. Even if you don't decide the position of the material by hand, the machine carries the material to the commanded place and processes it. If my lathe magic levels up, I might be able to make an NC-controlled lathe."
"That's amazing. So, anyone can do the same processing under predetermined conditions, right?"
Cyril grabbed Steve's shoulder hard with excitement.
Nick did not like what Cyril said.
"So, if anyone can make the same thing, does that mean craftsmen become unnecessary?"
"Nick, that's not it. I think you understand, but processing is a conversation with the material. You must apply corrections to the numbers according to the characteristics of the material at that time, otherwise you won't get the same thing. Or rather, you should say things within tolerance, not the same thing."
Steve denied that NC control would produce the exact same thing.
Metal materials vary greatly depending on the manufacturing lot. That was unavoidable because the material tolerance range defined by JIS Standards was loose.
Large manufacturers can sign exclusive contracts with material manufacturers and purchase with so-called attached strings, so they can suppress variation, but Steve's parents' company level could not do that, resulting in purchasing materials on the open market. The shape differs, and toughness and hardness differ every time, so even if processed under the same conditions as last time, the finished dimensions will not be the same. Thus, the element of the craftsman's skill comes into play.
Even if NC control becomes mainstream in the current world, craftsmen skilled in processing are necessary for that reason.
"As expected, Wakasama, you understand. But how do you know about this NC control machine you've never seen before?"
"I just had a feeling."
Against Nick's sharp question, Steve gave an appropriate reason.
Nick and Cyril were both so full of interest in the new machine that they didn't particularly question Steve's answer.
"So, you're going to make this perforated plate with this?"
"Well, yes, but if we commercialize this, it would be faster to make it with my own magic, and even if doing it with a machine, there's no need to use a Tarepan. It's more efficient to make a dedicated die and punch it out in one go."
"So, what are we going to make?"
"A signboard, maybe."
"A signboard?"
Nick made a strange face.
What Steve was thinking was making a signboard by punching stainless steel plates. Instead of punching out characters in one shot, it's a signboard created by aligning many small holes.
Steve set a new stainless steel plate and ran the program.
And what was completed was a stainless steel plate with hairline finish, with the name "Steve T.S. Archibalt" written on it.
Officially, it wasn't written; holes were made to look like characters.
"How is it?"
Steve handed the plate to Nick.
Nick took it and looked at it closely.
"I don't know how much work it will take, but due to its novelty, we might get work for a while. Since only Wakasama can make the material, no one else can copy it."
As Nick said, since others cannot imitate it, the competitiveness is very high. However, it is still unknown how much demand there is.
Ignoring the signboard Nick held, Cyril was gazing at the body of the Tarepan.
"Can't this machine be supplied to the Royal Research Institute?"
Cyril was desperate to have an NC machine.
"Well. I also have a request, so if it's an exchange..."
"What kind of request is that?"
"I want the carriage being developed at the Royal Research Institute."
"Oh, if it's an exchange with this machine, there shouldn't be a problem."
"Then it's decided. I really wanted that."
"What will you use it for?"
"I wanted to use it for Sister's parade."
Steve wanted a new carriage to celebrate Sherry's return to the country. A ladder frame designed for independent suspension, and suspension with shock absorbers attached to it. Incidentally, it also has bearings.
It was a product of the result of the Royal Research Institute's vehicle research team and Steve going too far. On top of that, a cabriolet top was mounted, and a nameplate made with the Tarepan was attached.
The name was Sherry-go.
To Steve, it was a nuisance fee for going too far.
Due to Cyril's persuasion, permission was granted to take the carriage technology, which was quite over-spec, to the Kingdom of Merda.
Steve reproduced and made what was in the Royal Research Institute on-site. Originally, the prototype was also made by Steve following the researchers' instructions, so reproducing it was easy. Then, painting and interior installation were done on-site.
The worried Steve had installed bulletproof glass on the carriage. It was the nostalgic hand-cranked window glass type. Of course, since there is only glass on the sides, it doesn't have much effect.
Thus, the carriage was completed before the parade.
On the day of the parade, House Archibalt was also invited. Steve volunteered to be the driver for the day. It was a driver who also served as an escort.
He thought he could move quickly if something happened, but nothing such happened, and the parade in the Royal Capital ended safely. Before this parade, Sherry had a face like an oni or a hannya, but in front of the people, she smiled and waved the whole time.
The weather was clear, and many citizens celebrated Sherry's safe return.
After the parade ended, the group returned to the palace and gathered as a family for a meal.
Abigail asked Sherry about the aftermath of Crown Prince Karl, who was the cause of this.
"So, what happened to Crown Prince Karl of the Kingdom of Meizack? It seemed like there was a promise to disinherit him."
"He was disinherited as promised, but thanks to someone going too far, it seems he started worshipping me as an object of faith, and since he couldn't cause further trouble, he was sent to the Holy Nation. They said they would make him study theology there. I'd be happy if he gives up the goddess faith with this."
Hearing that, Steve gave a bitter smile.
Sherry did not miss that.
"What was that bitter smile just now?"
"Ah."
Steve thought about how to dodge the story, but since no good idea came to mind, he decided to speak honestly.
"Actually, it seems the former Crown Prince Karl went to the Holy Nation and told the story of the miracles he saw. Since I am already recognized as an Apostle in the Holy Nation, a theory came out that Sister Sherry might also be an Apostle, and there was a contact from the Pope via the Saintess. It was more of an inquiry than a contact, asking what the truth is."
"So, what did you answer?"
"That's corporate secret."
"You definitely answered something terrible."
"No, not really. I just lent my power to Sister temporarily."
"If the Fries Holy Church believes that, it will be recorded that I officially exercised the power of an Apostle, won't it?"
Hearing Steve's report, Sherry's anger rose again.
"If you want to deter other countries, that would be more convenient."
"That is so."
Even if only the upper echelons of the Fries Holy Church know, information leaks somewhere. The intention was to use that to the advantage and make the country trying to attack give up.
Steve knew it, but since he thought Sherry would get angry if he told her, he remained silent.
Incidentally, the former Crown Prince Karl would have been declared a heretic a little while ago, but now free speech is becoming recognized, so he is not designated as a target for punishment. Sherry might have felt relieved if he was punished, but it was a regrettable story. Sherry does not wish for punishment, though.
Steve brought up the topic with Brian.
"Father, you must be proud that two Apostles have come out of your children."
"No, my stomach hurts."
Brian immediately denied it.
The weight of titles like grandfather of the future King of Merda or father of an Apostle was too much for his spirit. He genuinely wanted the problem to end with Freya coming to borrow money.
Outside, he smiles when told he has a proud son and daughter, but in his heart, he says, "Why don't you try having children who cause trouble like that every time?"
"That's strange. Regardless of Sister, I thought I was a worry-free, proud son."
"The mistakes you make are too big to touch, that's correct."
Steve was not satisfied with Brian's answer, but the whole family agreed with Brian's opinion.
Sherry, with an angry expression, said to Steve:
"What's done is done and can't be undone, so if you give me another carriage for the parade, I'll forgive you. I want a spare."
"Understood. If that calms your anger, it's cheap."
In reality, it was so expensive it had no price, but Steve made another one before leaving. Since the painting and interior were undertaken by craftsmen from the Kingdom of Merda, Sherry had given permission that he didn't need to do that part.
After Steve and the others left, Sherry urgently summoned the Minister of Industry.
"Your Majesty, you said you called urgently."
"Yes. My brother left another carriage. Disassemble it immediately and examine its structure."
The Minister of Industry was confused by that order.
"Is that alright? Our country's technology might not be able to restore it."
"That's why there's a second one."
Sherry also knew that with the Kingdom of Merda's technology level, even if they disassembled and examined the carriage Steve brought, they couldn't restore it.
So, she pretended to be angry and demanded a spare.
"I'm not saying to make the same thing immediately. But investigate the mechanism that creates this ride comfort and make it possible to create the same thing within 10 years. This will sell. Ideally, I want to mass-produce it."
Sherry was impressed by the carriage's ride comfort. A vehicle body with little shaking is something everyone desires. Also, vibration during cargo transport can be suppressed. She had a feeling that this would eventually become standard. Even during the parade, she was thinking about how to produce this in her own country.
And thus, she reached the conclusion to try disassembling it.
If there was no trigger, she thought she would have to ask Steve, but conveniently, the story of Steve secretly getting Apostle certification came out, so she pretended to be angry and demanded a second one.
Even though she pretended to be angry, it was 70% serious and 30% acting.
King Abel was impressed by his wife's method.
"Could it be that you were aiming for a second one for disassembly all along?"
"Yes. I really wanted it. To develop this country's industry as well."
Hearing Sherry's answer, the King and the Minister re-recognized that Sherry was now completely a person of the Kingdom of Merda.
Later, Sherry learned that the stainless steel nameplate "Sherry-go" was processed by the Tarepan, and she asked Steve and successfully obtained a Tarepan as well. The Royal Research Institute of the Kingdom of Merda would be extremely busy due to Sherry's activities.
Thank you always for your typo reports.