Siheyuan: I am different He Yuzhu

At the weekly technical department's research and development issue exchange meeting, Zhang Wanshun from the technical department was speaking: "Director He, according to our previous calculations, the engine power of a 10-ton heavy truck must be 200kw. We have already produced a 200kw gasoline engine, but the engine life is a bit low, with an overhaul life of only about 2000 hours."

"What is the reason for the short engine life?" He Yuzhu asked casually after hearing Zhang Wanshun's words.

"The fundamental reason is that the die-forging hydraulic press we use to produce the engine crankshafts and connecting rods is only 3000 tons. The low-power engine has a relatively low workload and can still meet the requirements, but the high-power engine has a heavier load, and the crankshafts and connecting rods produced by the 3000-ton die-forging hydraulic press are a bit overwhelmed, so their lifespan is insufficient," Zhang Wanshun explained.

"So how many tons of die forging hydraulic press are needed to produce crankshafts and connecting rods with a qualified service life?"

"At least a 6000-ton die-forging hydraulic press is needed." Zhang Wanshun pondered for a while and answered.

"Okay, I get it. Our factory definitely doesn't have a 6000-ton die-forging hydraulic press in the short term. I think it would be difficult to import it from abroad, but we are not doing nothing. Chief Zhang, let me ask you, the factory has a 5000-ton hydraulic press. Can we use the hydraulic press to forge the steel billet first, and then process the crankshaft on the lathe? Will the crankshaft made in this way have a longer life than that produced by a 3000-ton die-forging hydraulic press?"

"Director He, the crankshaft made in this way will have a longer lifespan, but in this case, our production efficiency cannot be guaranteed."

"It's okay. Slower efficiency is better than no production. Anyway, the domestic demand for heavy trucks is not great. Let's produce our first heavy truck first, and then slowly solve the difficulties encountered in the process. As the saying goes, self-reliance brings plenty of food and clothing. There is currently no such large-tonnage die-forging hydraulic press in China, so let's try to produce it ourselves! I read in the newspaper that Shanghai is trying to produce the first 1-ton hydraulic press. According to the report in the newspaper, the progress is relatively smooth. They can make a -ton hydraulic press, so let's try to make a die-forging hydraulic press for automobile production. The initial target is set at tons. Chief Zhang, how do you feel?"

"That's good, but it's not an easy task for Director He to develop a large-scale die forging hydraulic press. I don't think it's possible with our factory's strength!"

"Who said we can only rely on our factory? For such a big thing, we must seek support from the First Industrial Machinery Department. At that time, our factory will be responsible for taking the lead and uniting all the colleges and research institutes in the city. I don't believe we can develop a 10,000-ton die-forging hydraulic press." He Yuzhu said gritting his teeth.

As a later generation, he knew too well the importance of large die forging machines and hydraulic presses to the industrial development of a country. In large-scale machinery and important equipment, such as steel rolling, power stations (hydropower, thermal power), petroleum, chemical industry, shipbuilding, aviation, aerospace, heavy weapons, etc., large free forgings and large die forgings are used. These large forgings are forged by large free forging hydraulic presses and large die forging hydraulic presses. Therefore, the production of large forgings is placed in a very important position in advanced industrial countries. The variety, quantity and grade of large free forging hydraulic presses and large die forging hydraulic presses owned by a country can be used to measure its industrial level and national defense strength.

He remembered that before he traveled through time, Rabbit Country had just completed the production of an 8-ton die-forging hydraulic press, snatching the title of the world's largest die-forging machine from the Russian Bear. You should know that from 1964 to 1964, in order to develop the aviation and aerospace industries, the Russian Bear built 6 large die-forging hydraulic presses in one go, of which 2 were 750Mn die-forging hydraulic presses. It was with these two 750Mn die-forging hydraulic presses that the title of the world's largest die-forging hydraulic press was controlled by the Russian Bear for half a century, until the 8-ton die-forging hydraulic press of Rabbit Country was put into production.

"By the way, the technical department comrades should pay attention to communicating with the comrades in the No. 1 and No. 2 Machine Tool Factory in Sijiu City, and strive to have them develop milling machines and grinders specifically for engine processing as soon as possible."

"Okay, Director He, I will strengthen communication with the machine tool factory." Zhang Wanshun quickly nodded and agreed.

"Chief Zhang, do you have anything else to say? If there is no meeting today, let's stop here first."

"It's alright, Director He, go back to your business!"

After the meeting, He Yuzhu returned to the office and immediately picked up the phone and dialed Li Ze's office number. On the phone, He Yuzhu concisely and efficiently told Li Ze about the problems that Hongxing Machinery Manufacturing Plant was currently facing, and took the opportunity to propose the idea that Hongxing Machinery Manufacturing Plant wanted to launch a 10,000-ton die forging machine.

After listening to He Yuzhu's words, Li Ze said thoughtfully: "Xiao He, your idea is very good, but the problem is that we are going to skip the 6000-ton die-forging hydraulic press and directly launch a 1-ton die-forging hydraulic press. Isn't this a bit too much? After all, this is not something that can be done by just talking, and it needs to be considered carefully."

He Yuzhu explained earnestly: "Deputy Minister Li, what you said makes sense. There are indeed certain risks in launching such a large-scale die-forging hydraulic press at once. But as far as I know, both the United States and other old Western industrial powers have successively put into production their own 6000-ton die-forging hydraulic presses in the past decade. If we want to coordinate many colleges and units to jointly overcome the technical difficulties of the -ton die-forging hydraulic press, it is better to do it in one step and directly launch the -ton die-forging hydraulic press. This can avoid repeated investment of resources and better keep up with the international advanced level."

He paused and continued, "Moreover, if we successfully develop a 10,000-ton die forging hydraulic press, it will not only meet the needs of domestic aerospace, shipbuilding, and power industries, but will also greatly improve our country's competitiveness in the field of high-end equipment manufacturing. In addition, through the implementation of this project, we can cultivate a group of high-quality scientific research teams and enhance our country's overall scientific and technological strength."

Li Ze nodded after listening, indicating that he understood He Yuzhu's point of view, but still asked with some concerns: "I understand what you said, but the technical difficulty of the 10,000-ton die forging hydraulic press is extremely high. Do we have enough technical strength and experience to complete this task?"

He Yuzhu answered confidently: "Although the technical difficulty of the 10,000-ton die forging hydraulic press is relatively high, we have already accumulated some relevant technologies. Moreover, we can fully learn from advanced foreign design concepts and process methods, and carry out innovation and optimization based on our own actual situation. As long as we are determined and go all out, I believe we will be able to overcome this difficulty."

After thinking for a moment, Li Ze said, "Okay, Xiao He, your proposal is very bold. Have you ever thought about what to do if it fails?" Li Ze said this because he was worried that He Yuzhu was determined to carry out such a big project, but failed. If this incident affected He Yuzhu's future development, it would not be worth it.

"Deputy Minister Li, I understand what you mean. You are worried that if this project fails, I will be devastated. Don't worry, I won't. Although everything has been going smoothly since I started working, I know that the development of industry will not be smooth sailing. Only by repeated attempts in constant failures can we achieve technological breakthroughs. Even if such a large investment of manpower and material resources cannot solve the production problems of 6000-ton die-forging hydraulic presses, at least we have some understanding of the research and development of 8000-ton die-forging hydraulic presses. In this way, it will be easier for us to organize people to tackle the -ton or -ton die-forging hydraulic presses. Besides, if it succeeds, we will skip these two stages and directly have the production capacity of -ton die-forging hydraulic presses."

"Since you have thought it through, Xiao He, I won't say much. Just write an application report and submit it to me!" Li Ze said decisively.

After hearing what Li Ze said, He Yuzhu was overjoyed and said quickly: "Thank you, Vice Minister Li, for your support."

After a long and intense discussion and demonstration, the First Industrial Machinery Ministry finally approved the proposal of Red Star Machinery Manufacturing Plant to produce a 10,000-ton die forging hydraulic press. This decision was not only a trust and recognition of Red Star Machinery Manufacturing Plant, but also a firm determination for the development of the country's heavy industry.

In order to ensure that the 10,000-ton die-forging hydraulic press of the Red Star Machinery Manufacturing Plant could be put into production smoothly, the First Industrial Machinery Department issued an important instruction: requiring the First Heavy Machinery Plant and the Mechanical Department of Huaqing University to actively participate in the die-forging hydraulic press project of the Red Star Machinery Manufacturing Plant, give full play to their respective professional advantages and resources, and provide all-round technical support for the Red Star Machinery Manufacturing Plant.

As a well-known domestic machinery manufacturing enterprise, the First Heavy Machinery Factory has rich production experience and advanced technical equipment. They will send a team of senior engineers to assist the Red Star Machinery Factory in equipment selection, process optimization, etc., and provide necessary technical training and guidance.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering of Huaqing University is well-known for its outstanding scientific research strength and talent training capabilities. They will organize experts, professors and graduate students to participate in the die forging hydraulic press project of Hongxing Machinery Manufacturing Plant, carry out in-depth theoretical research and technological innovation, and provide strong intellectual support for the project.