Return to Hong Kong Island for a Century

Chapter 424 Pulsating Production Line
Li Song knew that for a long time to come, even into 2080, sea freight would be the most cost-effective option.

Of course, by 2080, almost everything will be intelligent, including docks, ports, loading and unloading, and shipping.

Although it is intelligent, it still requires people to be on duty.

The advantage of smart technology is convenience, but it relies too heavily on networks and various sensors.

For example, when a ship is sailing, it needs a global positioning system, as well as data support from various radars and cameras on the ship itself.

However, there is also a chance of interference or hacker attacks.

Interference is mainly caused by cosmic rays at the cosmic level or solar storms, which can lead to data delays or problems.

Not to mention hacking interference, there are also ship hijacking, ransom extortion, and so on.

Even in the age of artificial intelligence, we cannot do without people.

"Ah."

"Does Mr. Li think railways or highways are more important?" Section Chief Zhou asked again.

“Both are important, but given the current tight domestic finances, we should prioritize building railways. With railways, goods from the interior can be transported out, and products from factories across the country can reach the people more easily,” Li Song said after thinking for a moment.

Building highways on a large scale is impractical in this era; railways are the only viable option.

There are many railway-related technologies, mainly internal combustion engines and electric locomotives at this time.

Aramco's diesel locomotive technology is very advanced, as evidenced by its east-west railway lines and heavy-haul trains.

Especially for heavy-duty locomotives used in high-altitude areas, they remain advanced even decades later, not because the mainland can't manufacture them decades from now.

Rather, it's unnecessary. This thing has a very long lifespan, and there aren't many countries in the world that need such heavy-duty locomotives; the market share is small.

Furthermore, given the vast amount of US dollars held by mainland China throughout history, and the refusal of Aramco to sell high-tech products, why not use that money to buy these products instead of simply storing them away and waiting for them to depreciate?
However, at this point, Li Song can take it out.

"Does Mr. Li have any suggestions regarding power generation?" Section Chief Zhou asked again.

"In terms of power generation, I can refer to some Western technologies, such as steam turbines, hydropower, and even nuclear power. However, the situation abroad is different from ours. I think we still need to find our own technological path."

"Firstly, the scope is limited. European countries are not large, so the transmission distance is limited."

"As for Amei, electricity in each state and even each city is privately owned. Brother Zhou, think about it, if you were one of these private companies, would you allow other companies to sell electricity to your territory?"

“But our country is different. We need to build a nationwide power grid, and we need to have our own technology in high voltage and ultra-high voltage,” Li Song explained.

Historically, many of the forest fires in Amis were caused by power lines belonging to the power company. The power should have been cut off during firefighting, but the power company refused.

The influence of Amerinda's monopolistic private enterprises was terrifying, encompassing railways, hydroelectricity, and later, when an Amerinda train derailed, toxic substances killed all the life in the surrounding water, but ultimately no problems arose.

And Ami's hospital will prescribe painkillers to make you addicted.

Actually, by this time, painkillers were already widely available to Amei.

Of course, the widespread use of painkillers like Ami is actually a historical issue.

During World War II, the US military issued similar drugs to its soldiers to make them more excited and less afraid of pain.

Of course, similar drugs existed throughout Europe during World War II, whether in Santander or other countries.

This is also a tradition of the US military in Afghanistan. Post-traumatic stress disorder is actually a sequela of long-term use of these drugs.

This is why Amy's drug sales are the highest in the world.

Of course, Li Song's suggestion here is mainly because he doesn't want the mainland to follow the same path as Aramco in the field of electricity, because the mainland's power technology is the real direction for development.

"Hmm." Section Chief Zhou had no authority to make the decision, so he could only write down Li Song's suggestion.

"I have a preliminary idea."

"As the saying goes, use barbarians to control barbarians."

"There are currently two major aircraft manufacturers in the United States: McDonnell Douglas and Boeing."

"McDonnell Douglas is not in a good position recently. Only one or two of the King of Air Disasters were due to design flaws; most of the rest were caused by human error."

"The fact that the Aramco House of Representatives was able to pass Boeing's proposal so quickly proves Boeing's influence in Aramco politics."

"McDonnell Douglas aircraft can still function as cargo planes and refueling aircraft without any problems."

"So if there is an opportunity, our company, Parkson, can purchase some McDonnell Douglas aircraft at a low price for air logistics transportation."

"This way we can give McDonnell Douglas a boost."

"When we talk to Amei later, we can add this condition."

“The only ones who can deal with capitalists are capitalists themselves,” Li Song continued.

Upon hearing this, Section Chief Zhou could only nod and say, "Okay."

The reason Li Song spoke up in advance was to allow the mainland to prepare, as September would arrive in the blink of an eye.

When faced with the threat of the "fat bear," the policies of the US and Europe toward the mainland will change drastically.

Historically, Aramco has opened up many technologies, but unfortunately, the mainland lacked the funds.

Of course, there might also be another idea: to avoid provoking the fat bear's anger.

At that time, the US was number one in the world, and it was good enough for Europe and America to compete with them.

The plane landed at the Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Plant, and Section Chief Zhou went to report on his work.

The first CA201 prototype was not at the aircraft manufacturing plant, but flew around the country, taking the opportunity to conduct heavy load tests and range tests.

Tropical fruits were transported from Hainan to the plateau, and meat was transported from the plateau to Shanghai.

Anyway, aircraft manufacturers don't lack tropical fruits or anything like that.

"Boss, the second prototype is almost finished assembling, and the third one is more than halfway done."

"Let's also learn about the process of the pulsed production line." Chief Engineer Ma led Li Song on a tour of the aircraft production line.

A pulsed production line is essentially an aircraft assembly line, where the workstations remain stationary while the aircraft moves from the first workstation to the last.

Just like playing checkers, moving step by step, and airplanes are produced in a series of steps, so this process is called a pulsed production line.

The process flow of a pulsed production line mainly depends on the technology at the time. Now that automation is almost non-existent, the process steps need to be more numerous.

With more automated equipment, the number of steps and processes can be reduced.

The manufacturing processes of aircraft vary depending on the era and model.

Even for the same aircraft, different manufacturers may have some differences in their processes.

"Hmm." Li Song saw four airplanes in the workshop. The first one was the most complete, the second one was a little less so, and one of the other two was still having its frame laid.

Pulsating production lines are definitely cutting-edge technology in mainland China today.

Since Pulse is a production line, the first thing to follow is the production standard.

In other words, parts of the same model are interchangeable on any aircraft.

Many people may assume that screws are produced using lathes or semi-automated equipment.

However, many people don't know that in the 1980s, some screws were still handmade.

That is, forged screws.

It involves heating the raw material for the screw, pressing it into a mold, and then hammering it.

Even if some machine factories have lathes, some of those lathes are from the Republican era.

The precision of these lathes goes without saying.

Therefore, after the relationship between mainland China and Aramco improved, Aramco agreed to upgrade two aircraft for mainland China.

As a result, the parts of the two aircraft from the mainland were not interchangeable, and the tolerances were ridiculously large.

Of course, this could also be done on purpose to make Amei lower her guard.

Of course, the standardization of parts is not just about size, but also about strength and other requirements.

This means that Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Plant not only needs to manage its own pulsed production lines, but also its supply chain.

The factories surrounding Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Plant are part of the supply chain factories.

Because of the huge domestic demand for civil aircraft, a pulsed production line is essential.

Only in this way can we increase production capacity!

"Have you encountered any problems?" Li Song asked Ma Gong as they walked. "One issue is the supply of spare parts. The spare parts suppliers around here are doing alright!"

"Some factories in other places are even unwilling to supply us because our requirements are too strict."

"Some factories have a yield rate of less than 20 percent."

“We sent technical personnel, but they weren’t willing,” Ma Gong replied after hearing Li Song’s words.

"Are the parts we offer priced higher than their usual prices?" Li Song didn't rush to answer, but instead asked.

"That's for sure. Our process requirements are high, so we pay more, but people aren't willing to make money from us because they find it troublesome."

"Sigh," Ma Gong sighed finally.

Li Song certainly knew what some state-owned enterprises were like now.

Nowadays, some workers in certain companies are just slacking off; everyone is competing to be the worst.

Because every factory has a group of people with connections who get the easiest jobs and the best benefits.

This will definitely make the workers below dissatisfied.

Let's all just give up and do nothing together.

Although Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Company offered high prices for parts, the workers' wages did not increase.

"Then let's build our own supply chain manufacturers!"

"You can submit a report later stating that we won't force those who are unwilling to provide supply chain services for us!"

"However, I believe there are still some workers in those factories who are willing to work, and we can transfer them over when the time comes." Li Song did not go to his superiors to put pressure on them, but decided to do it himself.

"Hmm!!" Chief Engineer Ma's eyes lit up when he heard you say that; it turned out the boss had planned this all along.

The supply chain manufacturers also have technical personnel from Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Plant, who provide guidance on production and conduct quality inspections.

These technicians, working in the other company's factory, know a lot.

The Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Plant has a large factory area, and the largest area now is Area A.

This is the factory area where the CA201 aircraft is produced.

Of course, personnel movement is not allowed between different workshops within the factory area.

This is for confidentiality.

This way, ordinary workers and even ordinary technicians will have no way to leak secrets.

Because they are only responsible for one part of the process.

Area B is currently under construction; it mainly produces general-purpose helicopters.

Because there is a large demand for general-purpose helicopters.

The turboshaft engine for the general-purpose helicopter has been sent to the engine testing center in Chengdu for testing.

Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Plant is also conducting internal testing.

The first prototype has already begun assembly.

As for the other factory areas, they are currently in the planning stage.

Testing will begin soon, and after a certain period of testing, we will produce a few more aircraft for further testing!

The first batch of tests totaled eight aircraft!

The design of these helicopters and aircraft in 2080 was quite mature. As long as there were no problems in the manufacturing process, there would be absolutely no issues.

Of course, Li Song wouldn't skip the testing phase, because design is design and manufacturing is manufacturing.

Moreover, scientific procedures must be followed.

Then Li Song arrived at the comprehensive research and development center.

The integrated research and development center is currently researching projects such as turboprop engine transport aircraft, which are transport aircraft used on aircraft carriers, early warning aircraft, and tanker platforms.

There's also the Type B transport aircraft!

Because the rockets will be transported to the rocket launch center in the northwest.

Therefore, the ultra-large B-type transport aircraft was developed first.

Construction of the rocket launch base in the Northwest has begun, but Li Song has not inquired about the specific progress of the construction.

Li Song just took a stroll around; he comes here every now and then anyway.

Then Li Song went to the rocket manufacturing plant next door.

The factory here is not yet completed because rocket manufacturing at this stage requires a highly cleanroom environment.

The main reason is that rocket production, especially its control system, now involves various circuit boards.

Just like the early computer rooms, people had to change their clothes after entering, and there were also requirements for temperature and humidity inside.

Unlike later computers, which were often covered in thick layers of dust and used in various environments.

Of course, many semiconductor companies' production workshops also have very high requirements for cleanliness, humidity, and temperature.

In addition, during the manufacturing process of rockets, because their outer shell is relatively thin.

Therefore, it is quite sensitive to temperature changes during the manufacturing process.

However, Li Song was not in a hurry, because the relevant technology had already been given to the relevant departments, and some factories or research institutes had already begun to study it.

When the time comes, we can just take over the technology from our own factory.

China's theoretical foundation in aerospace is unmatched in the world.

Some of the theories proposed by a certain bigwig at that time are still very advanced decades later.

The weakness in China lies in manufacturing.

Later, Western countries also adopted various methods for their domestic space programs.

For example, Aramco once stipulated that if a satellite contained any parts manufactured by Aramco, it would not be allowed to be launched from mainland China.

They even collaborated with other countries to formulate policies that excluded the mainland.

Looking at these factory buildings, Li Song felt confident.

These factory buildings look quite ordinary now!
But what if these factories actually start operating?
The power it unleashed was enormous.

This is also why Li Song is not afraid of Western sanctions!

"Perhaps the world order will change again!" Li Song knew that historically, America had never let go of its targets against the mainland.

Unfortunately, Ami has never been able to suppress the mainland.

Because the US had just split up when the European Union came into being. The US split up at the end of 1991, and the EU was established in 1993.

Of course, the US would not allow an organization like the EU to exist, and the US, which was about to split up, was also unwilling, with such a behemoth as the EU right in front of them.

That's why the Balkan events of 1999 happened!
Then in 2001, America went to Tokharistan, attempting to establish a foothold there.

Once Ame establishes a foothold in Tokharistan, it can not only target the fat bear to the north, but also certain countries in the east.

It must be said that Amei's plan was very good, but unfortunately, she ended up having to leave in a sorry state.

Furthermore, given the peg between oil and the US dollar, Aramco is forced to stir up trouble in the Middle East.

So it's not that America doesn't want to completely suppress certain Eastern countries, but that he really doesn't have the time!

So Li Song wasn't flustered at all; what he was doing now was actually creating trouble for Amei in the future.

BMW has a large dealer network for motorcycles and cars, and a significant portion of these dealers are European companies.

In a few years, these companies will be inseparable from BMW. At that time, American companies will definitely not be willing to target BMW and other European capitalists!

Furthermore, he also intends to support McDonnell Douglas!
The reason for supporting McDonnell Douglas was that Li Song wanted to establish connections with Boeing or other companies, but they wouldn't allow it.

Besides, their own planes were originally designed to steal market share from Boeing, so how could Boeing possibly want to associate with them?

"Great!!" After inspecting the area, Li Song drove back to the nearby airport and looked at the tall chimneys in the distance, which were the newly built power plant.

When Li Song inspected the Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Plant, Section Chief Zhou wrote down everything Li Song said and submitted it.

(End of this chapter)