Rebirth in 1960, My Industrial Age

Chapter 132 Group R&D, Accidents (Subscription Request)

From the time the original Second Machine Tool Factory was split and established to the current merger, it has produced a total of fourteen machine tools.

There are ten medium-sized ones and four heavy-duty ones. In Zhou Fengnian's opinion, only seven of them can be improved and optimized.

The performance should be able to be improved by 10% to 20%. This is also due to the fact that these machine tools are machine tool technologies left behind by the Russians, and the Second Machine Tool Factory has only slightly modified and upgraded them.

There is still a lot of room for improvement and optimization.

Zhou Fengnian now uses the time between lunch and two o'clock to optimize and improve these "old" machine tools.

It will probably take about a month to modify all seven machine tools.

Just as Zhou Fengnian was concentrating on designing, someone suddenly knocked on the door.

"Come in."

The person who came in was none other than Gao Zhiyuan.

Zhou Fengnian looked up and asked, "Brother Gao, if you have anything to do, why did you come here in person? I haven't boiled the water yet."

"It's okay, it's okay. I'm not here to drink water. Besides, our offices are so close, we can just walk a few steps."

Gao Zhiyuan glanced at Zhou Fengnian's desk, which was full of machine tool drawings and component design drawings that Zhou Fengnian had written and drawn himself.

Gao Zhiyuan had long known what kind of person Zhou Fengnian was, so he naturally would not treat Zhou Fengnian as any other cadre.

"The factory has almost finished its personnel arrangements, but your assistant hasn't been arranged yet, so I came to ask if you have any opinions. Oh, and there's also a driver, but the driver can just call someone from the transportation team."

"assistant?"

Zhou Fengnian thought for a moment and said, "I don't need an assistant. Even if I do, he needs to be technically savvy. Forget it. As for the driver, I'll ask for one if I need one."

If he travels long distances by car, the driver must be the person assigned to him by the ministry in the security department.

However, Zhou Fengnian seldom goes out now and goes back to the village less often.

"Don't you want anyone?"

Gao Zhiyuan asked, "It would be convenient to have an assistant, right? You can just ask him to do anything."

Zhou Fengnian shook his head and said, "No need, Brother Gao. If you become my assistant, you will basically have a lot of free time."

"Okay then. I'll keep the position for you. If you need it in the future, just let me know."

After Gao Zhiyuan finished speaking, he planned to leave so as not to disturb Zhou Fengnian from his work.

But as soon as he stood up, Zhou Fengnian asked, "By the way, Brother Gao, has the equipment promised by the ministry arrived?"

"Not yet. I'll go and ask again. It's estimated to arrive in the middle or end of the month. Don't worry, I'll help you keep an eye on this matter."

"Okay, I'll trouble you."

Once the equipment promised by the ministry arrives, Huaxia Machine Tool Factory will be able to produce everything except the control system.

Zhou Fengnian can then start manufacturing five-axis heavy-duty machine tools.

------

"Old Zhou, go out for a cigarette?"

While they were working hard, Yi Zhonghai suddenly came to Zhou Xiangde, handed him a cigarette and said.

It could be that Zhou Xiangde had just finished processing a part, otherwise he would have been scolded if this guy suddenly appeared beside him.

Zhou Xiangde took a look and didn't take the initiative to take the cigarette, so he asked, "Master Yi, what's the matter?"

Yi Zhonghai was a little embarrassed. Zhou Xiangde saw this and realized that he couldn't say it in the workshop, so he put the processed parts away and then followed Yi Zhonghai to a small path outside the workshop behind a tree.

If those in Workshop 11 want to relax, they will come here to smoke a cigarette and take a rest.

This time Yi Zhonghai handed over the cigarette again. Zhou Xiangde took it and lit it after looking at it. After taking a puff, he asked, "What's the matter, Master Yi?"

"I just want to know if we can still go back to the steel mill. Lao Zhou, your son-in-law is the deputy director of the machine tool factory, so he should know a lot about this."

"Back to the steel mill?"

Zhou Xiangde was stunned for a moment, then said, "The files have been transferred, why go back? You can't go back unless the leader transfers you back."

"Yes, it would be great if there was a leader who could transfer me back."

Yi Zhonghai's eyes lit up after hearing this, and then he handed over another cigarette, and said pleadingly: "Old Zhou, can you tell your son-in-law?"

"Master Yi, this won't do. I can't cause trouble for my son-in-law."

Zhou Xiangde quickly shook his head. Yesterday a bunch of people came to inquire about his son-in-law, and today Yi Zhonghai came to ask him for help again. It was really one wave after another.

But even though it was a bit annoying, it was the first time that Zhou Xiangde felt the senior worker pleading with him in a low voice.

"Old Zhou, please help me. I have a reason to go back."

Yi Zhonghai's face showed bitterness. Who would have thought that he would be transferred to a new factory when he was over fifty? He was unfamiliar with this place, and there were many senior workers there.

"No, Master Yi, no matter how much you say, it won't work. As a father-in-law, I can't do this behind my son-in-law's back, even if I don't want to help."

Zhou Xiangde shook his head and handed the cigarette back: "Just smoke one cigarette, I still have work to do, so I'll go back first."

After saying that, Zhou Xiangde turned and walked towards the workshop.

Hearing that Zhou Xiangde was unwilling to help him, Yi Zhonghai suddenly looked depressed, but he had just arrived at the factory and didn't know the other leaders except Zhou Xiangde's son-in-law.

He can't go back to the steel mill to ask for help from his leader. He is no longer an employee of the steel mill.

"Ugh"

After sighing, Yi Zhonghai put away his cigarette and walked towards the workshop.

The technical department was full of enthusiasm, and everyone was eager to absorb technical knowledge from Zhou Fengnian.

Even the middle-aged fitter master kept taking notes in a notebook.

If you don’t understand, ask people around you privately. If that doesn’t work, take a cigarette and ask Zhou Fengnian.

However, this behavior was criticized by Zhou Fengnian, and he would teach even if he didn't take the cigarette.

Influenced by this group of people, Zhou Fengnian also occasionally worked overtime.

Moreover, the technical department soon began to develop and manufacture five-axis heavy-duty machine tools. Most people said that it was impossible to fully master the technology unless they all had the foundation like Mr. Luo.

But Zhou Fengnian assigned them tasks in advance, so they were able to do it if they mastered a certain part, plus they already had the foundation in improving machine tools.

Zhou Fengnian directly divided the five-axis heavy-duty machine tool to be developed into eight parts, among which the most important machining head part and electrical system were under his charge.

The other six parts were given to six small teams in the technical department to see which of them could complete the research and development first.

After Zhou Fengnian’s lectures, they have also learned some techniques, and now they just need to transform and develop the techniques they have learned.

In the end, Zhou Fengnian still needs to review and approve it. However, as long as half of these six small groups can complete the research and development tasks, it will save Zhou Fengnian a lot of time.

Otherwise, according to the previous R&D model in the machinery factory, everything would be designed and drawn by Zhou Fengnian alone, and each part would be produced one by one, which would take too much time.

In that case, it would take several months just to draw the diagram, and it would be a waste if so many people from the technical department did not participate. Now Zhou Fengnian teaches everyone the technical principles and takes on the most difficult part himself. If the rest can be completed, the task time can be reduced a lot.

The goal he gave was within one year, but this was the time Zhou Fengnian needed to develop the machine tool alone. If all the other people in the technical department got involved, the time could probably be shortened by half, right?
Zhou Fengnian was not too sure either, so he could only try his best to teach them the technical principles.

After all, he came to the Huaxia Machine Tool Factory for the talented people here. If he still had to do research and development and manufacturing on his own, he might as well stay in the machinery factory.

At least I can eat with my wife every day.

After Zhou Fengnian divided the teams, each team seemed to be trying their best to compete to see who would finish first.

Now he came earlier than Zhou Fengnian and left later than him, making Zhou Fengnian feel a little embarrassed.

Everyone below was working overtime diligently, but Zhou Fengnian went home as soon as he got off work. Finally, he announced a decision that overtime could not exceed 8 o'clock at the latest, and everyone had to go home at that time.

Otherwise, the security department will remember your name and kick you out.

In fact, Zhou Fengnian is also satisfied with his subordinates working overtime, but not too late. Some people don’t even live in the factory and are quite far away.

If an accident happens, the factory will suffer great losses.

After Zhou Fengnian announced this decision, many people immediately expressed their opposition. They wanted to stay in the factory longer and complete the project earlier.

However, after hearing the concerns about what might happen if they returned too late, the voices of opposition suddenly became much smaller, almost disappearing.

Although the curfew in Beijing is well implemented, you may still run into street thugs at night. It is relatively safe at eight or nine o'clock, but it is not guaranteed to be safe later.

In the afternoon, it’s almost time to get off work.

A person from the technical department came to Zhou Fengnian with the guide rail diagram of the designed feed system and asked, "Engineer Zhou, take a look at this guide rail."

Zhou Fengnian took it and looked at it. He quickly simulated the feeding motion in his mind, then shook his head and said, "This won't work. There are too few control parts, which will affect the smoothness of driving the tool."

“Then let’s add it here.”

"Your idea is right, but there is a better optimization solution. Try this."

After Zhou Fengnian explained for a few sentences, the technician suddenly understood and then took the drawings back to modify them.

Afterwards, Zhou Fengnian wanted to continue research and development, but when he inadvertently picked up his watch, he found that he had been off work for more than half an hour.

So Zhou Fengnian said, "It's time to get off work. I have to go home. My fellow workers, remember to go home early as well and don't stay up too late."

"Eh? Are you leaving now, Mr. Zhou? I just wanted to ask a question."

"Hey, don't cause trouble for Mr. Zhou."

After getting along for a while, the people in the technical department knew that Zhou Fengnian had a good temper and did not have the airs of a leader at all, so it was okay even if he joked with them.

And they all knew that Zhou Fengnian's wife was about to give birth, so Zhou Fengnian would get off work on time every day.

"Then I'll go first."

Zhou Fengnian told Liu Hanfei to pack up the drawings and study them before leaving, and then he took his briefcase and left.

Now he is gradually dressing like a cadre, with a briefcase, a bicycle and a watch, and the only thing he lacks is a pair of glasses.

It takes a while to ride back from the Hua Xia Machine Tool Factory, but fortunately there are not many cars on the road, so the bicycle can be ridden in the middle of the road.

Zhou Fengnian rode his 28-inch bicycle very fast and soon arrived at Nanluoguxiang.

However, just as he rode into the alley, Zhou Fengnian encountered an incident. A man was running towards him, shouting in panic, and someone was chasing him from behind.

Zhou Fengnian knew the man who was pursuing Song Weinan, the one his fourth sister had fallen in love with.

"Get out of the way! If you don't, I'll stab you to death! Get out of here!"

The man being chased spoke in a vicious tone, waving a knife in his hand, and tried to escape the alley in a panic.

When Zhou Fengnian saw this, he pretended to hold the bicycle and stepped aside. When the man ran past him, he suddenly swung the bicycle and hit the man.

With Zhou Fengnian's current strength, he directly knocked the man with the knife away. After rolling on the ground twice, he groaned in pain.

"What are you looking at me for? Why don't you restrain that man?"

Seeing Song Weinan staring at him in surprise, Zhou Fengnian spoke.

"oh oh."

After Song Weinan responded, he quickly stepped forward, snatched the man's knife, and then pressed his whole body on him.

Someone hurried to Zhou Fengnian's side and said, "Director Zhou, are you okay? Sorry, I'm late."

This man is the security guard assigned to him by the official ministry. He had his gun raised just now and would shoot if there was any move that threatened Zhou Fengnian.

However, Zhou Fengnian suddenly swung his bicycle, which scared him. He put away his gun and rushed over.

"I'm fine, thank you. Please help subdue that man."

After receiving the order, the security guard immediately stepped forward and removed the man's arms. The quick and decisive action stunned Song Weinan.

After Zhou Fengnian looked around, he stepped forward and asked Song Weinan, "What's going on with him?"

"He snatched the bag and ran away. I just chased him here from No. 70 Alley. If it weren't for your bicycle, I think he would have gotten away."

Song Weinan said honestly, then his face changed, and he suddenly remembered: "Chunhua is still behind."

After he finished speaking, Zhou Chunhua trotted over. Seeing Zhou Fengnian was also there, she was stunned for a moment and asked, "Third brother, you're back?"

"How is this going?"

"That bastard snatched the bag, and Weinan chased after him after he saw it."

After Zhou Chunhua finished speaking, she angrily stepped forward and slapped Song Weinan: "You are showing off. This robber has a knife. What if you get scratched?"

Song Weinan said embarrassedly: "Haha, Chunhua, I didn't think so much."

After seeing this, Zhou Fengnian ignored the two of them and shouted to the people around him: "This guy is a bag snatcher. Is there anyone kind enough to call the police?"

An old man on the street said, "Someone has already gone there. Young man, do you need a rope?"

"No, he can't run away. Thank you, sir."

With both arms removed, if he could still run, he would be like a superman.

However, the bag snatcher was still not honest. He kept cursing and even threatened Zhou Fengnian and Song Weinan.

He has brothers outside, and he will definitely not let them have an easy time when he gets out.
"Don't worry, this kid can't get out."

Zhou Fengnian could see the worry on Song Weinan's face and spoke to comfort him.

He is a level 7 engineer, and for him to get involved in this kind of thing and allow a bag snatcher to escape safely is really disrespecting engineers.

Soon the woman whose bag was robbed also rushed over. Three policemen happened to have arrived as well. When they saw the situation here, they hurried forward to inquire.

"I am Zhou Fengnian, deputy director of Huaxia Machine Tool Factory. This man snatched a bag near us, waved a knife and threatened my safety, and verbally threatened the safety of my family."

Zhou Fengnian stepped forward and briefly explained the situation, then took out his ID and handed it over: "This is my ID."

(End of this chapter)