2. Be familiar with the product’s manufacturing processes—specifically, how machining steps are arranged, what types of tools and fixtures are required for each operation, and how equipment processing parameters are adjusted. You’ll also need to consider whether the machining accuracy meets the specifications outlined in the drawings, how to verify if a finished part is qualified, and what inspection tools should be used for this purpose. These are all critical areas that require thoughtful reflection and practical experience—skills that will form the foundation and common sense you’ll rely on as you move into design roles later on. 3. Learn how to operate the machining equipment—even if you don’t need to become an expert, you must understand how these machines work and take time to analyze their underlying structural principles. If it were your job to design such equipment, how would you improve its design? Could there be more efficient or innovative structures and machining methods compared to current practices? As you gain hands-on experience using the equipment, identify both its strengths and limitations, absorb these insights, and ultimately turn them into your own valuable expertise. 4. Embrace the reality that everyone makes mistakes throughout their career. Reflecting on these errors is the key to continuous improvement. However, making mistakes comes at a cost—literally. Who’s going to foot the bill for those missteps? Unfortunately, it’s often the shop floor where these mistakes happen first, simply because the consequences are least severe there. That’s precisely why starting your journey by making mistakes in the workshop is the smartest—and most cost-effective—way to learn and grow.

　　Stepping into the workshop is, in fact, an essential stage that no robotics professional can afford to skip. As students majoring in mechanical engineering, we often hear our professors—many of whom may never have personally spent time in a workshop—and our senior peers emphasize: "You must spend more time in the shop. Without gaining hands-on experience in the workshop, you’ll never truly mature or advance." It’s almost as if a design engineer who hasn’t worked in a workshop is like a newlywed who skips the dating phase altogether—lacking any solid foundation to build upon. Today, as someone who’s been there, I’d like to share why we need to step into the workshop in the first place, what exactly we’re supposed to do there, and what the workshop really looks like in most people’s eyes. For many, the workshop is synonymous with the deafening roar of machinery, greasy oil splattered across floors and walls, and outdated equipment manned by workers whose movements seem robotic and repetitive. Life in the workshop feels monotonous, with everyone stuck in their unchanging routines. The only flicker of energy might come from those slightly motivational slogans plastered on the walls—cheerful yet meaningless, covered thickly in dust as if they’ve never even been cleaned. And frankly, why bother? After all, there are far dirtier spots around—so perhaps these clean-looking slogans actually stand out precisely because they’re so conspicuously untainted.

　　In your mind, it seems like you could hardly find a worse work environment than this—just looking around is almost unbearable, let alone imagining spending years here. If you’re unlucky, you might end up working in this kind of setting for your entire career. What kind of self-punishment is that? It triggers a constant, unsettling thought: *God, what on earth have I done wrong?* Just picture those slick, high-end office spaces featured in internet companies’ promotional videos—spacious, cutting-edge, and downright luxurious. What’s even more embarrassing? Many of these places come complete with on-site gyms and cafés, where employees enjoy the latest tech-equipped computers, ergonomic chairs with swivel and foldable features, and even their favorite flowers and cherished toys neatly arranged on their desks. And to top it off, some companies even allow employees to bring their pets to work—clearly, it’s not about work anymore; it’s practically a vacation! Meanwhile, for many college students today, the factory floor has become nothing short of a nightmare. It’s a place they instinctively dread, and even those who’ve chosen—or are currently working—in the mechanical industry often feel an intense aversion to stepping into a workshop, going out of their way to avoid it altogether. But let’s face it: we still need a deeper understanding of this industry. While modern manufacturing companies may still lag behind many internet firms in terms of workplace ambiance and industry perks, thanks to rapid technological advancements and the accelerating adoption of Industry 4.0, countless enterprises are now making unprecedented strides in automation and intelligent systems.

　　Modernized factory facilities, with clean, bright, and temperature-controlled workshops, now see robots tirelessly replacing manual labor—busy yet remarkably efficient. These advanced machines have significantly reduced both the physical strain and the harshness of workers' environments. Today, employees no longer resemble mere laborers; instead, they’ve transformed into skilled operators who expertly manage cutting-edge, intelligent equipment, effortlessly handling what once seemed overwhelmingly complex. Moreover, this shift toward automation is undeniably the future trend—and an essential step in the evolution of manufacturing enterprises. Unfortunately, many college students who participate in internships or apprenticeships often find themselves working in outdated, dilapidated factories. The reason? Typically, their universities, due to limited resources, can only arrange placements at such low-tech, less sophisticated companies. Meanwhile, highly advanced, state-of-the-art automation facilities—often at the forefront of Industry 4.0—are tightly guarded by strict confidentiality policies. Even employees within these companies may lack access unless their roles specifically require it. In fact, many top-tier automated enterprises outright prohibit outsiders from entering, including even their own staff, unless granted explicit permission tied directly to their job responsibilities. This practice is common across numerous Industry 4.0 companies, as the layout of production lines and intricate process flows are so valuable that even a brief glimpse could allow competitors—or even unscrupulous insiders—to quickly replicate or reverse-engineer critical technologies. Such knowledge-sharing would not only undermine the innovation efforts of pioneering teams and organizations but also pose significant financial and competitive risks. For instance, during a conversation with a Japanese sales engineer specializing in ball screws and linear guides, I asked about the current level of automation in Japan’s manufacturing sector. He shared that when his company pitches projects to clients, they’re rarely given full transparency. Instead, they focus solely on their own specialized segment, while access to the entire operation remains tightly controlled. Even visiting their facilities requires prior approval, and employees are closely monitored—no photos or videos allowed. What’s more, this Japanese professional speaks impeccable Mandarin, which surprised me since Chinese is notoriously challenging for non-native speakers. It just goes to show how much effort we still need to put in if we want to compete globally! After all, true success doesn’t happen overnight—it takes dedication, persistence, and continuous improvement.

　　That’s getting way off track—now we’re talking about Japan altogether! But let’s get back to our original topic: Why did you go down to the workshop in the first place? What were you even doing there? This is something many people are confused about. To clarify, I’ll explain it from two key perspectives—perspectives that also reflect my own experiences. First, what exactly do you need to learn when it comes to a mechanical processing workshop? What specific skills or knowledge are essential in this area?

　　1. Familiarize yourself with the capabilities and processing ranges of various types of machinery—equipment commonly found in standard workshops, such as lathes, milling machines, planers, grinders, boring machines, drilling machines, laser cutters, and wire-cutting machines. Understand exactly which processes each machine is designed for, and learn about their typical machining precision levels. Additionally, explore the current state of cutting-edge technology available for these machines (which can easily be researched online). Finally, assess your factory’s current status and technical level, as well as the overall standing of your industry and city in this field—these insights will prove invaluable as you move forward with product design.

　　2. Be familiar with the product’s manufacturing processes—specifically, how machining steps are arranged, what types of tools and fixtures are required for each operation, and how equipment processing parameters are adjusted. You’ll also need to consider whether the machining accuracy meets the specifications outlined in the drawings, how to verify if a finished part is合格 (qualified), and what inspection tools should be used for this purpose. These are all critical areas that require thoughtful reflection and practical experience—skills that will form the foundation and common sense you’ll rely on as you move into design roles later on. 3. Learn how to operate the machining equipment—even if you don’t need to become an expert, you must understand how these machines work and take time to analyze their underlying structural principles. If it were your job to design such equipment, how would you improve its design? Could there be more efficient or innovative structures and machining methods compared to current practices? As you gain hands-on experience using the equipment, identify both its strengths and limitations, absorb these insights, and ultimately turn them into your own valuable expertise. 4. Embrace the reality that everyone makes mistakes throughout their career. Reflecting on these errors is the key to continuous improvement. However, making mistakes comes at a cost—literally. Who’s going to foot the bill for those missteps? Unfortunately, it’s often the shop floor where these mistakes happen first, simply because the consequences are least severe there. That’s precisely why starting your journey by making mistakes in the workshop is the smartest—and most cost-effective—way to learn and grow.

　　If you make mistakes right from the R&D stage, you’ll quickly realize the costs can become incredibly high—because many R&D errors aren’t caught until the equipment is assembled and debugged. By that point, though, most of the investment has already been made. In contrast, in the workshop, your biggest risk is usually just a mistake in the production process—and even if that error proves irreparable, the associated costs remain relatively manageable and still entirely acceptable.

　　5. Learning to communicate effectively with others—most skilled workers possess an innate kindness and rational approach to dialogue. They might come across as a bit rough around the edges or straightforward in their manner, but as long as you meet them with sincerity, you’ll quickly find yourself fitting in smoothly to your new social environment. However, the innocence and sharpness that often came naturally during your student years tend to get tempered—and sometimes even eroded—to some extent by the harsh realities of the workplace. And here’s something worth noting: many exceptionally talented technicians deliberately create challenges when it comes to tackling complex technical problems, often making things intentionally difficult for newly graduated college students.

　　Perhaps this is just the preference of people in tech—they always seem to look for an opportunity to showcase their skills, which also serves as a chance to prove themselves. Besides, there’s something genuinely satisfying about stumping someone considered a "prodigy," at least from their perspective. 6. Cultivate Your Professional Attitude In a workshop setting, where every task, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, matters, it’s inevitable that newly hired college grads might start with basic duties like serving tea, fetching water, mopping floors, or wiping tables. But here’s the thing: these tasks aren’t just menial chores—they’re actually a great way to test and refine one’s attitude. After all, only by mastering the little things can you earn the trust—and eventually the responsibility—to tackle bigger, more critical challenges. So remember, each small assignment is a stepping stone on your journey toward greater success. And until you’ve built the skills and gained the opportunities to take on bigger projects, first focus on mastering those everyday, unglamorous tasks.

　　In a workshop, what should you know—and what skills should you learn—if you're working in a mechanical assembly workshop?

　　1. Carefully analyze the product assembly process—how a product is transformed from scattered individual parts into a fully functional device. Identify each assembly step, outline the corresponding operational procedures, and determine the specific tools required for assembly. Additionally, specify the inspection equipment needed, the type of assembly jigs necessary, the essential assembly techniques to master, and the precise inspection rules and workflows involved. Understanding these details will greatly benefit your future design work.

　　2. Familiarity with the use and operation of various assembly tools—including hand drills, chisels and scrapers, dial indicators, straightedges and square rulers, levels, laser interferometers, and more—will help you develop a solid, rational understanding of product assembly. This foundational knowledge will enable you to naturally cultivate your own unique design style in your future career as a product designer, ensuring that you fully grasp the assembly process and avoid awkward situations like assembly interference or errors. 3. Learn how to operate a variety of CNC systems.

　　As a design engineer, while there are strict guidelines for using the equipment’s operating systems, being proficient in various OS platforms is undoubtedly a valuable skill—after all, navigating and troubleshooting these systems is an inevitable part of the debugging and inspection process. Currently, the operating systems we use most frequently include FANUC, Siemens, Mitsubishi, Huazhong CNC, Guangzhou CNC, Kainan CNC, and more. Interestingly, the operational methods across these systems are largely similar; once you master one, picking up another becomes much easier—like learning one language and effortlessly applying that knowledge to others.

　　4. Gaining a deeper understanding of the roles and functions of each component and part during the assembly process—and mastering the specific assembly procedures—will help you avoid common structural mistakes and misguided design choices in future projects. After all, a mechanical engineer who hasn’t experienced the actual assembly site is simply not qualified to be a competent designer. This situation closely mirrors Zhao Kuo’s infamous "armchair strategizing"—where theoretical knowledge fails to translate into practical reality. In many cases, the gap between theory and real-world assembly can be enormous: your design might turn out to be entirely unfeasible, either because it’s too difficult to assemble or simply impossible to put together at all.

　　5. Learn that the assembly process isn’t just about “fitting”—it also involves a crucial “matching” component. For instance, ensuring the precision and proper contact of guide rails, or accurately installing and positioning the lead screws—all require on-site adjustments to achieve the right fit. These technical skills and processes can’t be mastered or fully understood without hands-on experience. Even the structural considerations you make during the design phase may inadvertently introduce hidden risks. In fact, working in the workshop is all about building a solid foundation: as the saying goes, "A towering building starts with flat ground, and true excellence depends on a strong base." Entering the workshop is essentially like laying the groundwork—a process of deeply rooting yourself, steadily accumulating experience along the way. Only by establishing this robust foundation, sinking your roots deep, and diligently building up your expertise can you go on to tackle even more ambitious and groundbreaking designs.

E-mail:
chiyuan@chiyuanmachine.com

Phone/WeChat:
+86-15100871888

Address:
Botou Economic Development Zone, Cangzhou City, Hebei Province, China