Back to the 80s Machinery Factory

Chapter 414 Is there still money in the books?
hiss……

Director Lu was also puzzled: "This little girl has quite a temper!"

Chen Luyang sighed, "Isn't that how you win over Engineer Cao?... Uncle Lu, you've been in contact with Jiang Xiaohua lately, what do you think of this girl?"

Director Lu said, "I quite like this girl. She's very outgoing and knows how to handle people."

"Several times when government agencies came to repair their cars, it was this young lady who was in charge of receiving them. She's sweet-talking and gets things done well."

Chen Luyang sighed.

"Then let's keep her on. Has her salary been discussed with the factory? What's their explanation?"

Director Lu said, "We can only sign temporary labor contracts, with a monthly salary of 60 yuan, no benefits, and no seniority accumulation."

Chen Luyang nodded: "Okay, let's leave it at that for now."

Just give me the money.

As for the rest... I guess Jiang Xiaohua's family isn't short of these little things.

After finishing the steamed buns,
The three experienced workers continued drawing blueprints, while the younger workers either repaired cars or tidied up machine tools.

Chen Luyang sat at the reception desk at the main entrance.

While looking at the "Daily Maintenance Summary" written down by Li He, he pondered his next steps.

This time when I went back to school,
We must find a way to contact the professors and students in the mechanics department and ask them to draw up the blueprints for the basic components.
Then... comes the issue of production and manufacturing.

Chen Luyang tapped her fingers on the table, her brows furrowing slightly.

Although Pan Yu said that once the drawings are completed, he can contact the machine tool factory to help with prototyping, measurement, and equipment procurement.

However, it would be helpful to ask the machine tool manufacturer to help with calibration, trial production, or make some modifications.

But if we really want to carry out small-batch, repeated debugging-type targeted processing, then it's going to be risky.

Like the provincial machinery factory, the First Machine Tool Plant was a large-scale military-to-civilian conversion enterprise mainly producing high-precision equipment in batches. Who would waste machines and workers for a few unsystematic small parts?
Moreover, these parts are diverse in type and specifications, and many are non-standard parts.

In the eyes of large companies, this is equivalent to "having many problems, no profit, and being difficult to account for".

There's no way to do this through the proper channels.

"If that doesn't work, we can only do what Angkor said and find some 'family workshops' to produce it."

A thoughtful look flashed in Chen Luyang's eyes.

I had chatted with Wu Dechen in the dorm before, and he mentioned it.

There are many supporting factories left over from the "Third Front Relocation" in the northwest corner of Pian'er City.

The factory went out of business, but the equipment is still there.

However, these businesses have now moved to the private sector, with signs hanging at their doors saying "Wrought Iron Doors and Windows" or "Small Hardware Repair," but they actually only do small, individual jobs.

Although those places lack complete documentation, the work is meticulous and the prices are not high.

For modern car maintenance and repair centers, this is the easiest and most convenient route.

I was just thinking about it.
A voice came from outside the door: "Hello comrade, may I ask if Chen Luyang is here?"

Um? ?

Chen Luyang suddenly looked up, and then her eyes lit up:
"Old Tao?! You've arrived!"

Five people were standing at the entrance of the auto repair center; they were the roommates from room 421.

Tao Runze, Pan Yu, Wu Dechen, Jiang Feng, Zhang Dongliang—not one was left out.

"You're already here, why did you bring anything with you!"

Chen Luyang walked up without a trace of shame and cheerfully took the things from each of the people carrying.

The group thought it wouldn't be right to come empty-handed since it was their first time visiting.

Some bought pastries from Pian'er City, some bought wine, and some bought fruit and braised beef, but before they could even be offered, Chen Luyang had already swept them all up.

"Xiao Chen, this place is really easy to find!" Tao Runze said happily.

"As soon as we got out of the car, without even asking for directions, we saw the eight red characters 'Jinba Auto Maintenance and Repair Center' hanging on the wall, even more eye-catching than the school gate!"

Chen Luyang happily went up to greet him, and said with a smile, "I chose this place because it's eye-catching. There are people coming and going on this street, and everyone passing by can see it."

Wu Dechen looked around the car maintenance and repair center and exclaimed, "Wow, Xiao Chen, this is practically a small factory! It has a reception area, a repair area, a warehouse, and everything else!"

“Absolutely.” Pan Yu looked around. “Your place may be small, but it has everything you need.”

"It's alright~" Chen Luyang cheerfully led the group in:
"Come in, come in quickly, let me introduce you."

When Lu Ju, Jiao Long, Li He, and Zhang Guoqiang heard the commotion outside, they put down their tools on the workbench, wiped their hands, and came out smiling to greet them.

"These are my roommates from Peking University. They came here to check on us."

Chen Luyang stood in the middle and enthusiastically introduced the two sides.

Especially when introducing Pan Yu, Chen Luyang emphasized him, saying:
"This is the workshop director of the machine tool factory I was telling you about, Director Pan Yu!"

Pan Yu quickly replied, "I'm not a director, just call me Lao Pan."

After both sides had finished their introductions, Pan Yu couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Chen, is that machine a T616?"

"Your eyesight is good." Chen Luyang said proudly, "T616, a horizontal floor lathe, made in Krasnodar, Soviet Union, just brought back from the military industry's scrap yard yesterday."

"A junkyard?!"

Pan Yu stared at Chen Luyang in astonishment, her mouth agape.

“Yes! We just salvaged three complete sets from the military industry's scrap yard yesterday.” Chen Luyang said proudly.

"Which scrap yard? How come we didn't know about this good stuff!" Pan Yu's voice was getting a little anxious.

Chen Luyang immediately looked mysterious: "I can't tell you, otherwise your machine tool factory will try to take it from us."

Pan Yu: ...

“Don’t feel like you’re losing out,” Chen Luyang continued, “These machines are all in poor condition; they need to be repaired before they can be used.”

Pan Yu looked at the three machines as if they were precious treasures.

He walked up to the main machine tool, circled it once, and then bent down to examine the connection points between the guide rails and the bed: "The bearing openings are not misaligned, the tailstock is not broken, and the bed as a whole is not deformed... Although there are some problems, the frame is intact. You've really struck gold."

"If this equipment can be repaired and adjusted to a precision level of eight or below, it can not only test standard parts, but also manufacture all kinds of irregularly shaped adapters, sleeves, washers and brackets ourselves!"

Chen Luyang listened to Pan Yu's words with a delighted expression.

That's why they say Pan Yu had a good eye for quality!

If it weren't for these reasons, he wouldn't have taken out his secret stash of money from his underwear to buy it!
Pan Yu comes from an old factory background.

After starting school, I was either in the classroom or the library every day, and I always had a book or a pen in my hand.

I finally saw the workshop again today, and I couldn't resist picking up a wrench. My hands were itching to get my skills working, so I followed Zuo Zhuo to fix the machines.

This move completely baffled Chen Luyang.

What has this become?!
I had promised to invite my classmates over to see my factory, so we could all have a nice meal and have some fun.

Since we're already here, let's get to work.

The others don't understand machinery either, so it's not advisable to start rashly.

So they could only follow behind Chen Luyang, looking at this and that. "Old Tao, Old Wu, look at our car!"

Chen Luyang warmly led the two to the east side of the workshop, where a small car covered with half a canvas was mounted on a lifting frame.

"Is this the car from your factory?" Tao Runze's eyes lit up immediately. He stepped closer and walked around the car.

“Yes,” Chen Luyang said. “This is the second-generation minivan from our provincial machinery factory. It just went into production at the end of last year. The frame is stronger than the first generation, and the shock absorbers have also been replaced with reinforced ones, which has improved the stability of the chassis significantly.”

Wu Dechen came closer, patted the side door of the car, and said, "Your car is very sturdy. It looks very stable!"

Director Lu chuckled and added, "That's still our factory's old model. The latest model we jointly developed with Italy is much better. Not only is the performance greatly improved, but the exterior is also incredibly beautiful! We even had the Italians redesign the interior; it's fantastic."

Chen Luyang also expressed her regret: "If there were one of these new models here, I would definitely let the two of you sit inside and take a look around to experience it!"

“Indeed,” Director Lu replied. “This new car is great in every way. It just doesn’t break down easily. We’ve sold so many, and not a single one has come in for repairs.”

Even Chen Luyang, with his thick skin, was starting to feel uncomfortable standing there.

Even Director Lu doesn't praise his own child like this.

"I really need to broaden my horizons if I have the chance," Wu Dechen exclaimed in amazement.

"Times have really changed. The agricultural machinery in our village is still working the old way, while your factory has partnered with companies overseas."

Chen Luyang chuckled and said, "That's how technology is. If you're a step behind, you'll fall behind. We've already partnered with Japan and Italy, and who knows, we might be partnering with Germany in a few days."

Chen Luyang got back to the main point: "Brother Tao, Lao Wu, if you two are really thinking about buying a car, there's no rush."

“Let’s go back and thoroughly investigate the actual vehicle usage habits in the commune and villages. Then you can write down your ‘usage scenario requirements,’ and I’ll take them back to the factory to report and have the workshop adjust the most suitable configuration for you to try out.”

Tao Runze and Wu Dechen's eyes lit up!
"You can do cars like that??"

"Yes! Of course I can!"

Chen Luyang smiled and put his arms around the two older men: "A car like this is quite expensive, so we have to make sure it's properly maintained!"

Tao Runze's eyes lit up!
"Great! If you can find one that suits our commune, we'll buy our first car from your factory!"

Wu Dechen also happily remarked, "Our village will buy one too!"

As the group was talking, Sun Hongjun put on his coat, came out, and greeted Chen Luyang.

"Director, I'm going to the local market to buy some groceries!"

"Buy! Buy more! If there's meat, buy even more!"

As Chen Luyang spoke, he took out two 10-yuan bills from his pocket and handed them to Sun Hongjun.

"Buy some more wine!"

Chen Luyang gave a special instruction.

Today, a few of the guys from 421 came to my repair shop for the first time, so I'm definitely going to treat them well!

Sun Hongjun didn't even take it, and pressed Chen Luyang's money back to him.

"Director, we have enough money in the account, why would we let you pay for it!"

After saying that, Sun Hongjun didn't even wait for Chen Luyang to call him before he took off running out of the factory gate, hopped on his tricycle, and sped away.

joke……

Just two days ago, Chen Luyang paid out of his own pocket to retrieve those three scrapped machine tools from the junkyard, spending more than anyone else to support the factory.

How could we possibly ask Chen Luyang to spend any more money now!

But his words confused Chen Luyang.

There's still money in the account?
Where did the money come from?

……

When Sun Hongjun returned from grocery shopping, the kitchen immediately became lively.

Although Tao Runze and the others weren't as skilled at cleaning machines as Pan Yu, they could still help out in the kitchen.

When Sun Hongjun returned from grocery shopping, everyone crowded into the kitchen.

They were either rolling up their sleeves to wash pots or peeling garlic and washing vegetables; everyone was busy.

Seeing Chen Luyang's classmates go to the kitchen to cook, Zhang Guoqiang, Tan Rensong, and Liu Kangwen, the experienced chefs, felt a little uneasy.

The director's classmate has arrived; normally, they should come out and give him a warm welcome.

But there's no way around it, time is limited.

Chen Luyang is going back to school tonight, so the drawings must be finished today.

At the other end of the workshop
Surrounding the large lathe T616,
The workshop director from Pian'ercheng No. 1 Machine Tool Factory and the technical backbone from the Provincial Machinery Factory also began their first technical exchange!
Once the electrical control box is opened,

The wiring inside was charred black, the insulation layer had peeled off, and the contacts were severely corroded. The entire electrical control system was almost a charred mess.

But... it's not a big problem!

Pan Yu carefully observed the situation.

By simply disconnecting a bypass line from the main contacts, resetting the protection circuit, and adding a parallel current limiter to bypass the damaged section, the circuit can be restored to operation.

Having figured out a way to fix it, Pan Yu first bent down and started fixing it, indulging in the thrill of being a master!
Then, I couldn't help but glance at Zuo Zhuo.

It is said that in literature there is no first place, but in martial arts there is no second.

When people from the same profession meet, it's inevitable that they'll feel a competitive spirit, wondering who has the better skills and wanting to see how others do.

But to his surprise, he was completely stunned by what he saw.

Zuo Zhuo first took a copper wire, twisted it into a small brush, dipped it in gasoline, and carefully brushed away the stains on the carbon brush holder.
Next, I took out a toothbrush handle, tied a strip of fine sandpaper to the head, and began to sand along the motor shaft in circles.

After polishing, he took out a small medicine bottle from his pocket, unscrewed the cap, and gently poured out a few drops of translucent oily mud, which he then spread evenly around the brush holder.

"What are you using this for?" Pan Yu asked after looking at it for a while.

Zuo Zhuo was very open with his knowledge and answered all questions: "This is a drying and anti-oxidation coating that I made myself. I mixed it with transformer oil, and it won't get damp after applying it."

Pan Yu's eyes lit up immediately!
"Hey, that's a great idea! It's much faster than insulating our factory's ovens."

Zuo Zhuo was a little embarrassed and said, "It's just some paint. If you like it, I'll get you a bottle to use later."

Pan Yu laughed: "Alright! Then I won't be polite."

The two were talking,
In the silence,

A large face silently drifted behind Pan Yu, and a shrill voice pierced the air:

"Brother Pan, what good stuff are you looking for around here?"

"Oh my god!" Pan Yu was startled and almost dropped the solder in her hand.

"What the hell are you doing! You walk without making a sound!"

Chen Luyang rolled her eyes at him.

From the very beginning, he noticed that Pan Yu wasn't properly fixing the machine and kept glancing at Zuo Zhuo.

Although Pan Yu was his classmate, she was still from the machine tool factory, not his family.

Zuo Zhuo is honest and straightforward; don't try to swindle your skills away again with just a few words.

(End of this chapter)