Chapter 59: The Technology Trap
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Rolling bearings are typically used in rotating components, significantly reducing friction during motion.
By applying rolling bearings to the ox-powered waterwheel, the oxen’s workload was drastically reduced. What previously required four oxen to operate could now be powered by just two.
In his previous life, the invention of rolling bearings could be traced back to the 17th century. The most crucial component of the bearing was the steel ball, while the outer casing was relatively simple to produce.
Even so, Xiao Ming couldn’t produce high-precision bearings with his current technological capabilities. His method of making steel balls was the most rudimentary — free-fall molding.
This method involved letting molten steel droplets fall freely from a height. As they descended, surface tension would naturally shape the droplets into spheres, similar to how water forms droplets in mid-air. Below, a cooling water basin quickly solidified the spheres into steel balls.
However, the resulting steel balls varied in size and had uneven surfaces. The next step was grinding the balls on lathes to make them as uniform as possible.
By incorporating these bearings into the ox-powered waterwheel, Xiao Ming deliberately created an irreplaceable key component, making the device nearly impossible to replicate without the bearing.
He had already set his sights on selling these waterwheels to mine owners.
In this era, flooding in mines was one of the biggest headaches for miners. The ox-powered waterwheel not only irrigated farmland but could also be used to pump water out of mines.
With Pang Yukun issuing orders for each county to send skilled craftsmen to Qingzhou for training, news of the waterwheel began to spread.
The ever-astute merchants naturally took notice. Thanks to Xiao Ming’s recent stream of innovations, merchants across Great Yu Empire were closely monitoring Qingzhou, eager to seize opportunities before others.