The true state of China’s CNC machine tool industry as seen by a mechanical engineer

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1. Regarding domestic CNC systems. Guangshu and Huazhong are likely to be the more representative products. Previously, CCTV reported that several professors and doctors from Huazhong filled certain gaps in China’s field; it made me want to laugh at that time, as there are very few machine tools on the Chinese market equipped with such systems. It seems that teaching machines used in schools are those that make more use of this technology, and it is also used in domestic CNC competitions (apparently as a result of administrative orders). Facts speak louder than words. If domestic systems were truly of high quality, coupled with China’s unparalleled advantage in labor costs, they would have already gained a foothold abroad by now – so why are they still confined to a small niche? Additionally, Fanuc is the most widely used in China, followed by Siemens; there are also some systems that use Mitsubishi, German Heidenhain, Spanish Fagor, and others. 2. Regarding the mechanical structure of the machine bed. It’s quite ridiculous that many so-called experts think of CNC machines in terms of their systems, considering the machinery itself to be unimportant. CNC machine tools are complex systems that integrate mechanics, electricity, hydraulics, and pneumatics. Even well-known foreign machine tool manufacturers focus their research and development efforts on the mechanical aspects of these tools. The design of such machine tools places great emphasis on stiffness; it is necessary to accurately calculate the deformation of various key components, and it is also important to ensure good seismic resistance (i.e., dynamic stiffness), a high natural frequency, and a large damping coefficient. This presents considerable technical challenges, and it represents a significant risk for small and medium-sized enterprises. Because the system can be purchased and set up in one go, but a creative overall design requires prototypes for testing, wooden molds for casting, high-quality gray cast iron, forging and welding of heavy parts, heat treatment, precision mechanical machining – there are countless considerations to take into account! The costs are extremely high (as the salaries of domestic R&D personnel are very low, labor costs can be disregarded). Given the generally low technical skills, limited theoretical knowledge, and careless work attitude among mechanical engineers in our country – all due to low salaries – coupled with the improper guidance from managers who are not experts in the field, the success rate of developing innovative new machine tools is very low. As a result, companies are forced to adopt a more economical approach to R&D: copying. The most serious consequence of this is that it prevents companies from building up technical expertise, prevents them from developing their own design teams, forcing them to forever follow in others’ footsteps and keep copying what others do. No matter how much any domestic company claims to be amazing, it’s more or less like this. This is the main reason why there are so few original machine tools in the domestic market that are both practical, have good stiffness, and maintain high precision. 3. On the quality of mechanical engineers in our country. One word: low; two words: relatively low; three words: really low (compared to developed countries, we can’t compare ourselves to African brothers who have just come down from the trees). But we can’t blame these mechanical engineers. Why? Think about the \"professional professors\" who teach you Mechanical Design in college, yet have never designed any machines themselves; think about your so-called \"noble\" social status; think about your meager salary at the end of a month of hard work; think about how even a lowly salesperson can completely overwhelm you; think about the astonishing commissions those salespeople earn; think about the generous kickbacks received by procurement staff—can you still focus on improving your technical skills? Oh, there’s definitely someone who can do it. Who? Confucius, the sage Kong. 4. Have a correct understanding of the level of CNC machine tools in our country. Using the words of the great navigator, there are also three worlds in the field of CNC machines (considering overall technical capabilities, without focusing on any individual exceptional technical features): the first world includes countries such as Germany, Switzerland, and the United States ； The Second World: Japan, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan region, etc ； Third World ； Our great motherland and the vast Asian and African regions. 5. Chinese brands. Many large domestic companies are acquiring businesses abroad; they exaggerate greatly when describing the size of these companies and the sophistication of their technology, and I really don’t agree with that – it’s simply a waste of taxpayers’ money. Why? It’s very simple: the CNC machine tool industry is a true high-tech industry, one that requires both high levels of technology and significant capital investment. It’s an industry where years of hard work and technical accumulation are needed before any progress can be made; it’s like a bird that only sings after years of silence – not something that suddenly becomes famous after just three years. It is the lifeblood of this sector. Will other countries sell their lifelines to China? Even an idiot knows: NO WAY. Is it true that the larger a company is, the better? Not either. CNC machines excel due to their technical features. Take YaWei in Taiwan for example – it is known as the leader in the gantry machine category and has very distinctive characteristics. If I remember correctly, its workforce consists of just over 200 people. Thinking about domestic companies (such as a firm in Shenyang) that blindly expand their production scale, offer service with an attitude as poor as that of old men, and use C-type vertical lathes that lack any distinct features, makes my eyes fill with tears. When will we have Chinese versions of MORISEIKI, OKUMA, HAMO, CINCINNATI, and MAZAKE? 6. Advice for young mechanical engineers. 1. Put aside your so-called pretensions of being an intellectual or a college student; you are not an intellectual. What is culture? In a narrow sense, it refers to activities such as playing musical instruments, practicing calligraphy, and painting that people engage in when they have nothing else to do after eating. Studying engineering is similar to a bricklayer learning a trade – it’s all done just to make a living; there is no such thing as a \"GOUPI culture\". 2. After N years in university, you’ve only read a few books and your understanding of your field of study remains superficial; you’re nothing more than an apprentice. Don’t be attached to social status – China is a strange place where often those with real skills don’t have university degrees ； Don’t think you’re smarter than others; before 1996, jobs were assigned by the state, and as a result, the most talented junior high school students ended up in vocational schools. In some counties in Sichuan, the competition ratio was 1:150 or even lower. In terms of intelligence, they’re not necessarily any less smart than you. 3. Do not blindly believe the claims of professors, doctors, and similar individuals; most of them lack genuine expertise. Those professors and doctors who do possess real knowledge are engaged in research quietly, without seeking attention, and it’s extremely unlikely to encounter them. Events with low probability simply do not occur. 3. If you can’t stand living in poverty, change careers as soon as possible. I suggest you work in procurement – every procurement officer I know takes bribes; life is very comfortable, and there are unwritten rules that protect them, so the law can’t do anything to them. 4. If you are determined to pursue your profession, you must work hard and diligently, focus on building up your technical skills, be careful and thorough in research and development, dare to make hypotheses, and be able to stick to your own views at critical moments – while also paying attention to reasonable suggestions. Remember: Whether technology can advance, whether it can thrive, and whether a nation can prosper – it does not depend on corrupt purchasers who take bribes, nor on salespeople who receive commissions, nor on those in positions of power who accept illegal payments. It depends on millions of energetic engineers like you! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !