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This study proposes a framework to analyze the interaction between geopolitics and the Middle-Technology Trap, drawing on evidence from China's CNC machine-tool industry. Qualitative methods such as interviews have been utilized to identify geopolitical variables that have driven the development of the Chinese CNC machine tools industry. To explore the combined effects of the Middle-Technology Trap and the intense competition between China and the West, this article focuses on an industry that has been significantly influenced by the economic decoupling between China and the US, a phenomenon deeply rooted in recent great power competition. While several industries may illustrate the new status quo of the Middle-Technology Trap, the CNC machine-tool industry is particularly exemplary due to its close interrelation with geopolitics. Accordingly, this study presents a catch-up case that incorporates technology-oriented aspects and factors from strategic competition, underlining three scenarios that geopolitics could influence the result of addresing the Middle-Technology Trap, respectively technological decoupling, the relocation of supply chain, and industrial policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of CNC (computer numerical control) machine tool is the key to the survival of manufacturing enterprises. How to comprehensively and accurately evaluate its quality is very important for the timely discovery and improvement of machine tool defects. The current research either only evaluates a certain quality characteristic of CNC machine tool, or ignores the dynamic characteristics of CNC machine tool quality, which reduces the accuracy of quality analysis results. To address these problems, firstly, RMS (reliability, maintainability, supportability) was taken as the comprehensive evaluation indexes of CNC machine tool quality characteristics to improve the comprehensiveness of the analysis. Secondly, considering the dynamic characteristics of machine tool reliability, the ADC (availability, dependability, capability) model was improved to obtain a comprehensive quality evaluation index function ERMS with time-varying characteristics. Finally, the characteristics of ERMS were analyzed, and its evaluation criteria were also given. Several CNC machine tools made in China were tracked, and the collected fault data were analyzed by the proposed method. The ERMS of the machine tools was obtained, and its characteristics were analyzed. The results verify the correctness of the proposed method, which provides theoretical basis and technical support for the improvement of the quality of CNC machine tool and the market competitiveness of enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]