The excitement of the successful joint trial run of the prototype hadn't even subsided when more practical work followed. The project team required each key technology group to conduct a preliminary economic benefit assessment of their respective results. This task fell to Liu Li's group.

In the meeting room, Liu Li, Zhou Wei, Sun Mei, and Xiao Qian from the finance team, who had been temporarily brought in to help, were gathered around several spreadsheets filled with data and a calculator that was clicking away.

“Come on, let’s calculate it item by item.” Liu Li spread out the spindle maintenance record. “According to previous statistics, without our device, the average lifespan of a high-speed spindle is only about 6,000 hours due to bearing damage and journal wear caused by vibration. Replacing a spindle, along with downtime losses, would cost approximately this much.” She wrote a number on the table.

Xiao Qian adjusted his glasses and started pressing buttons on the calculator: "How much can the device extend the spindle's lifespan?"

Zhou Wei picked up the conversation, estimating the protective effect on bearings and mechanical structures after the significant reduction in vibration: "To be conservative, doubling it should be no problem to reach 12,000 hours. Optimistically, it might be even longer."

“Okay, so just considering the cost of spindle maintenance and replacement, we can save this amount over the lifespan of each piece of equipment.” Xiao Qian pressed the calculator again and reported an exciting figure.

Sun Mei showed the energy consumption records: "After the vibration was reduced, the overall running resistance of the machine decreased, and the motor load dropped. We measured the current under the same operating conditions, and it was reduced by an average of about eight percent. According to industrial electricity prices, each piece of equipment can save a lot on electricity costs every year."

“And this,” Liu Li pointed to the quality inspection report, “the vibration is less, the yarn breakage rate is lower, the fabric defects are reduced, and the yield rate can be increased by nearly two percentage points. This is all real money.”

After calculating everything, the little calculator was practically smoking from all the typing. The savings in maintenance and electricity costs, plus the profits from increased yield, and then deducting the estimated material and production costs of the equipment itself…

When Xiao Qian finally reported the "input-output ratio" and "expected investment payback period", even the usually calm Zhou Wei couldn't help but whistle.

"This doesn't even include the increased production efficiency due to improved equipment reliability and reduced downtime, or the potential market premium due to more stable product quality..." Xiao Qian added.

This preliminary economic benefit assessment report was quickly compiled and submitted to the project team and ministry leaders.

If previous technological successes proved that "the path is viable," then this report, filled with solid data, clearly demonstrates that "the path is worthwhile." It tells decision-makers in the simplest terms that this seemingly costly technological innovation not only solves technical bottlenecks but also possesses significant economic value and potential for widespread adoption.

Team Leader Chen held the report, his face beaming with undisguised satisfaction. Even Engineer Li, who had previously been the most skeptical, was speechless after seeing the profit data in black and white, muttering to himself, "These young people have really made a fortune."

When the news reached the Ministry of Light Industry, Director Han wrote on the relevant report: "Small innovations solve big problems and have significant benefits. They should be improved and promoted as soon as possible."

Economic benefit evaluation, like giving this new technology another wing, propelled it from laboratory success to the vast sky of industrial application, taking another big step forward. Liu Li and her team not only proved the advanced nature of their technology, but also its practicality and its tangible contribution to national economic development.