The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

I'll be Teacher Zhou from Chapter 186 onwards.

After setting up the servo motor team from Tsinghua University, Zhou Zhiqiang chatted with them for a while about the motor drive for CNC machine tools.

The project team led by Tsinghua University was the one Zhou Zhiqiang had the least to worry about.

They had previous successful experience, but the CNC system using vacuum tubes was too fragile, and the research and development capabilities of Professor Yu and others at Tsinghua University should not be underestimated. After the conversation, Zhou Zhiqiang felt that they might be the fastest group to succeed.

After chatting with Professor Yu and others, Zhou Zhiqiang didn't stay at the factory for long.

After handing over the task of the follow-up care team to Director Liu, he asked the driver arranged by the security department to take him to Factory 190.

Upon arrival, the security guard at the gate called the factory office, and soon after, Liu Ruiguang, the factory director of Factory 190, came out in person.

Upon arriving at the factory gate, Liu Ruiguang quickly stepped forward and said apologetically, "I'm so sorry, Director Zhou, for making you wait so long."

I just went to get the pass. Next time, please put it in a conspicuous place in the vehicle, or have the driver show it directly. That way, our factory's security department won't stop you.

"Thank you for your help, Director Liu."

Zhou Zhiqiang took the pass and glanced at it. It was a piece of cardboard, but it had several stamps on it, as well as the signatures of the factory director and the security department.

Similar to the vehicle pass he knew, Zhou Zhiqiang handed the pass from Factory 190 to the driver after reading it.

Tell him to keep it safe, as he might need it frequently during this period.

Factory Director Liu said, "Factory Director Zhou, let me take you in. Comrade Cheng Hui isn't refusing to come and get you."

After he came back from the meeting, he worked day and night in the lab. Sometimes I was worried that they would get sick or something.

Liu Ruiguang did offer some explanation for Zhao Chenghui, but Zhou Zhiqiang didn't care at all who came to pick him up.

If he's so petty, then he's completely out of place in this era.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang smiled and said, "Indeed, I should remind Deputy Factory Director Zhao that focusing on research and development is a good thing, but if you get sick, it will delay the research and development progress, which would be a loss."

"That's why I'm telling you, Director Zhou, you'll have to remind Comrade Chenghui and the others later, because they don't listen to me at all."

Factory Director Liu clapped his hands and said, "You are all involved in research and development, so Comrade Chenghui will definitely listen to what you say."

"Okay, I'll find a chance to persuade him later."

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, he followed Director Liu into Factory 109.

He had visited here before, but he didn't look around carefully; he just took a quick look around the laboratory.

Factory 190 was a large factory directly under the Fourth Ministry of Machinery Industry, established by the China Ocean Research Institute. It was dedicated to providing more than a dozen types of alloy transistors and semiconductor components for computers.

However, it seemed that there weren't many production lines in the factory. Zhou Zhiqiang followed Factory Director Liu around the factory and only saw three production lines in total. The production efficiency was too slow.

"Director Liu, do we only have three production lines in our factory? Isn't that a bit inefficient?"

Zhou Zhiqiang asked curiously, "I heard that your factory mainly supplies semiconductor components needed for computers, but what about this production efficiency?"

It's likely that even supplying computers for manufacturing will be difficult. If we wait until silicon wafers are produced, Factory 190 probably won't be able to squeeze out many production tasks for Factory 2.

After all, computers are related to the development of nuclear weapons and satellites, so they are definitely the highest priority. Their CNC machine tool project cannot compete with the nuclear weapons project for the mission.

"There's nothing I can do, my dear Factory Director Zhou."

After sighing, Director Liu pointed to the production line and complained to Zhou Zhiqiang, "You're also a technician, so take a look at what our production line mainly relies on."
"Manpower is the main factor. Production machinery isn't too difficult to obtain; if we applied, we could definitely get some. But without skilled workers, it won't work."

“One of our factory’s key technical personnel can produce 200 units a day, with a finished product qualification rate of over 40%, which is considered qualified! They are the factory’s most valuable personnel.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang clicked his tongue in amazement, then frowned. He was still thinking about how to meet the domestic demand for CNC machine tools and then use the large-scale export of CNC machine tools to lay the foundation for the Second Machine Tool Plant to become the number one machine tool plant in Asia.

If production efficiency becomes a constraint, it will greatly hinder the pace of development.

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Zhiqiang said, "I need to mention this to the leader. I'll learn from him another day. If possible, I can become a teacher and train a group of people after I've learned it."

"Director Zhou, this is a very technical job; there aren't many people who can learn it and master it."

When Director Liu advised Zhou Zhiqiang, his eyes practically said, "Give up. Technology and scientific research are two different paths; you can't succeed in either."

"Comrade Chenghui also knows the production process of semiconductor transistors, and he has even tried it, but the yield rate..."

When talking about the past of engineer Zhao Chenghui, Director Liu almost burst out laughing.

It's almost as if they're saying that Comrade Zhao Chenghui did nothing but waste materials and was even disliked by the technicians. This only applies to the production of transistors.

"Director Liu, I'm different. I learn things quickly."

Zhou Zhiqiang smiled and said, "I'm not just a level 5 engineer, but also an level 8 fitter, level 8 lathe operator, and level 8 boring machine operator."

Zhou Zhiqiang tried out all the processing procedures in the Second Machine Tool Plant. After understanding the technology, he quickly got the hang of it and then won over all the workers with his precise control.

He didn't participate in the assessment, but Zhou Zhiqiang could do all the precision work that the factory's level eight workers did, and he was among the best at it.

'Perhaps next time he takes the exam, he could take some technical certification exams and come back with it.'

Zhou Zhiqiang suddenly realized that having more technical certificates wouldn't necessarily increase his salary, but it would give him more recognition.

When his son grows up or has grandchildren, he can use these certificates, which represent the pinnacle of the technology industry, to educate future generations.

The processing procedures and technical control were not difficult for Zhou Zhiqiang at all. After his brain was enhanced several times, his learning ability was surprisingly amazing.

"So many level-eight technical skills. Director Zhou, you're a real talent!"

After being shocked, Director Liu quickly praised Zhou Zhiqiang.

He didn't believe Zhou Zhiqiang was lying to him about this. It would be too shameful for a factory director and senior engineer to try to deceive him with such an easily debunked lie.

Therefore, what Zhou Zhiqiang said is 99% true.

"If you have any ideas later, Factory Director Zhou, feel free to come to me anytime, and I'll help you make arrangements."

"Alright, then I'll leave it to you, Director Liu."

Zhou Zhiqiang expressed his gratitude, saying that once he learns the transistor manufacturing techniques, he will suggest to his superiors that they recruit more personnel.

There is currently no established process for cultivating semiconductor technology talent. All technicians who can use mechanical aids in processing are trained through mentorship programs.

First, there are no learning channels available; there is a complete lack of relevant professional courses, textbooks, and explanations of experimental equipment.

Secondly, there is no place to learn; just reading books is not enough, you also need to learn through practice.

However, all semiconductor factories in China are highly confidential and are already too busy with production to spare any space for training talent. But Zhou Zhiqiang felt he could resolve some issues.

After learning semiconductor processing technology, he relied on collecting and analyzing assistants to summarize a set of teaching materials, and then asked the Fourth Ministry of Machinery Industry to find him a group of apprentices.

Zhou Zhiqiang will personally teach them then.

Other technicians don't teach much because they don't have the energy.

Manufacturing transistor semiconductors requires intense concentration; otherwise, the yield rate will be shockingly low.

After a busy day, I don't even have the energy to speak, let alone teach students.

But Zhou Zhiqiang is different. He is full of energy and can still spare the energy to teach apprentices after working on research and development for twelve or thirteen hours a day.

I'm afraid only someone as "iron man" as him could do it; anyone else probably couldn't have lasted that long.

Afterwards, Director Liu took Zhou Zhiqiang to familiarize himself with other parts of the factory. He was going to be doing research and development at Factory 190 for a long time, and he couldn't do it without being familiar with the factory.

After touring the factory, Director Liu led Zhou Zhiqiang to the technical department and knocked on the door.

After someone spoke up, Director Liu said, "Where is Deputy Director Zhao? Director Zhou from the Second Machine Tool Plant is here."

Before the technician could speak, a voice came from the inner room: "Team Leader Zhou is here? Please come in, please come in!"

Soon Zhou Zhiqiang saw Zhao Chenghui open the door and say to him with a smile, "When did Team Leader Zhou arrive? I didn't even know about this."

Zhou Zhiqiang shook hands and said with a smile, "I just arrived. Director Liu gave me a tour of the factory, which helped me get to know Factory 190."

"Okay, that's good. Director Liu, Team Leader Zhou, you can leave the rest to me."

Zhao Chenghui then remembered something else and continued speaking to Factory Director Liu Ruiguang: "Um, Team Leader Zhou has a place to eat and rest at the factory."

Factory Director Liu gestured and said, "Everything is arranged. I'll have Xiao Xu deliver it later. Comrade Chenghui, you don't need to worry."

"Okay, that's fine then. Director Liu, if you're free..."

After hearing that everything was arranged, Zhao Chenghui dismissed the people.

Factory Director Liu smiled helplessly and said, "Alright, alright, I'll go back to my other work too."

After everyone left, Zhao Chenghui pulled Zhou Zhiqiang in and introduced him to everyone in the room: "Comrades, let me introduce you first. This is Zhou Zhiqiang, the chief person in charge of the CNC machine tool project team."

He is also the person who proposed the basic process theory of silicon materials, and will work with us to tackle the practical application of silicon transistor integrated circuits.

After Zhao Chenghui finished speaking, everyone in the technical department of Factory 190 applauded in welcome.

Many people looked at Zhou Zhiqiang with bright eyes, as they had a lot of questions about the basic silicon material process experiment he had proposed.

Just as they had mastered the practical electronic components of germanium transistors, Zhou Zhiqiang proposed the basic process experiment of silicon materials.

Moreover, the hypotheses about the material advantages of silicon transistors are clearly listed, as if experiments have actually been conducted.

Some people have questioned the quality of silicon materials, but research on silicon materials has been conducted abroad for a long time, so these doubts have been dispelled by others.

"Hello everyone, I am Zhou Zhiqiang. In order to develop and manufacture a practical CNC system for silicon transistor integrated circuits as soon as possible, we need to work together."

After introducing himself, Zhou Zhiqiang also got to know everyone in the technical department.

He shook hands with Engineer Lin, Engineer Li, Engineer Chen and others to get to know them. It can only be said that Factory 190 is indeed a ministry-affiliated factory built with all the resources of the Fourth Ministry of Machinery Industry.

There are seven engineers, twenty-three technicians at level twelve and above, and the rest are technicians who were trained together.

In Zhao Chenghui's eyes, the others are still 'not yet graduated', but in other electronics factories, they might already be independent technicians.

Compared to Factory 190, their Second Machine Tool Plant was far inferior.

That is, after achieving results last year, the ministry began to invest heavily at the beginning of this year. Moreover, there are too many excellent machine tool manufacturers in China, which has diluted the department's investment efforts.

After getting acquainted, Zhou Zhiqiang turned to Zhao and asked, "Vice Factory Director Zhao, where is the group's progress now?"

"Team Leader Zhou, don't call me Deputy Factory Director Zhao anymore. Just call me Comrade Chenghui from now on. Deputy Factory Director Zhao is too polite."

Zhao Chenghui waved his hand and said that they would be working together for more than a year, and it would feel a little awkward if he kept calling him Deputy Factory Director Zhao.

Moreover, in this day and age, calling someone "comrade" implies a closer relationship, and only those who share the same ideals can be considered comrades.

"Alright, Comrade Chenghui, where is our group now?"

"We're almost ready to try purification for the first time. We've just finished preparing the application materials. Team Leader Zhou, could you take a look?"

After Zhao Chenghui finished speaking, he handed Zhou Zhiqiang the application report for the planned process and materials, as well as some equipment applications.

Silicon materials differ from germanium, and the purification processes are also different, so the equipment requirements also need to be modified.

After reading it, Zhou Zhiqiang didn't say anything immediately. He simply put the application report away and said, "I'll have the driver take it to the ministry later, and then I'll call Director Ren."

Purification is only the first step; the silicon wafer is what truly matters.

Zhou Zhiqiang pulled over a blackboard and quickly began explaining the upcoming research and development; he had been intensively studying and gathering technical process information from research assistants, and his understanding of semiconductors was already quite profound.
He had a general idea of ​​the next steps in the research and development process, and if these people could keep up with him, there was real hope within a year.

------

As temperatures rise, green shoots begin to emerge.

The winter chill soon disappeared as time went by.

At the Jiaodaokou Subdistrict Office, everyone in the residents' group was working when a female clerk skipped in with a newspaper in her hand. She went straight to Guo Yuting's desk and said in a cheerful tone...
"Sister Yuting, guess what I have in my hand?"

Guo Yuting looked up, then smiled and said, "Isn't it a newspaper? Do you even need to guess?"

Xiao Wei nodded with a smile and said, "Then guess whose story is in the newspaper?"
"Whose is it? It can't be mine, can it?"

"You guessed right, it's yours, you're in the newspaper."

Xiao Wei said with a grin, and then placed the article about Guo Yuting on the table.

Hearing this, the others curiously put down what they were doing and came over to ask, "Yuting is in the newspaper?"

"Where is it? Let me see."

"I'd like to read that too. Are there any newspapers left?"

(End of this chapter)