The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 277 Timely Good News

Ding Zhixue was too happy and brought over the finished parts to claim credit without even testing them.

However, successfully completing two or more composite processing steps is already a huge success.

Moreover, the most successful part of this project was actually the CNC division, where Zhou Zhiqiang and the R&D team of Factory 190 developed and manufactured a more advanced photolithography process.

This has significantly improved the semiconductor manufacturing industry, leading to substantial progress in related fields such as integrated circuits and computers.

The integrated CNC systems currently being developed and designed may actually support composite CNC machine tools that support three machining methods.

However, since no research and development plan was formulated in advance, the project had to be abandoned.

"Factory manager, it meets the standards! This part is completely up to standard!"

After carefully measuring the finished parts from all angles, Ding Zhixue excitedly showed them off.

"If the error in the critical dimensions is controlled within 0.3 microns, it is definitely a qualified product!"

"Okay, well done."

Zhou Zhiqiang nodded, then said to the project team technicians around him who were looking on with anticipation, "Everyone, our composite machining CNC machine tool has been manufactured, and the project is a success!"

"Okay, great!"

"It finally worked!"

"The factory manager is amazing, all thanks to Factory Manager Zhou!"

Upon hearing this, everyone cheered and celebrated. After half a year of busy and stressful work, they finally reaped the rewards of their success and wanted to let loose and express their joy.

Zhou Zhiqiang didn't stop them. He was happy for them, and he was even a little happy himself.

The machining precision of this composite CNC machine tool is definitely comparable to, or even better than, the machine tools produced by Aramco.

It can be used in various defense and military industries, such as aerospace, missile submarines, etc.

While others cheered and celebrated, Zhou Zhiqiang looked at the part in his hand; even an eighth-grade worker would find it difficult to process this part because it involved two processes.

It may take almost a whole day of extreme care and concentration to process this part, without making the slightest mistake.

However, if it is handed over to a composite machining CNC machine tool, it will only take ten minutes!

It only takes ten minutes to process, and there are no problems with the production process. Moreover, it can produce finished products stably. After all, the original intention of composite machining CNC machine tools is to reduce the instability caused by changing machining programs.

This machine tool is only a composite CNC machine tool with two processing methods. Next year or the year after, Zhou Zhiqiang plans to develop and manufacture a composite CNC machine tool with more processing methods.

After a while of celebration in the main workshop, the enthusiastic cheers gradually quieted down.

At this moment, Zhou Zhiqiang also spoke to everyone: "Everyone, thank you for your hard work during this period. You have really put in a lot of hard work and sweat to ensure that the composite CNC machine tool can run smoothly today."

Although composite CNC machine tools have successfully produced workpieces, various issues still need to be addressed, such as long-term operation testing and stable production.
Next, we need to collect all operational data, stability tests, yield rates for continuous machining of different workpieces, spindle temperature rise curves, and vibration amplitude records—none of these can be missed!

"Section Chief Ding, you take the lead in this area, with three shifts to keep an eye on things. If you don't have enough manpower, just report to me and I'll transfer people from the branch factory for you."

The continuous testing time must be no less than twenty hours, with detailed data recorded every four hours.

"That's enough, factory manager. There are enough people to keep an eye on things in three shifts. I'll personally oversee things and make sure there aren't a single mistake on the data."

Ding Zhixue quickly assured him that the most difficult research and development tasks had been completed, and the next step was to keep a close eye on things. He added that if he made a mistake in that, he could resign.

"Congratulations, Director Zhou."

Director Chen and Professor Yu also came forward and congratulated Zhou Zhiqiang with smiles, saying, "This time, Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory has once again overcome a major obstacle for our domestic machine tool industry."

The machining accuracy of this composite CNC machine tool is probably higher than that of CNC machine tools from Aramco or Europe, right?

"That's still uncertain. We lack specific information from their side. Ever since we domestically developed and manufactured CNC machine tools two years ago, their level of secrecy towards us has become even tighter."
However, based on our calculations, this is about the most advanced level of CNC machine tools they have.

Zhou Zhiqiang pointed to the composite CNC machine tool that was being cleaned and inspected behind him and said with a smile, "This composite CNC machine tool is absolutely world-class, or even the most advanced."

In photolithography alone, China is now on par with Aramco, and Zhou Zhiqiang is confident that China will surpass Aramco in integrated design.

Even if they are ahead in other aspects, the two sides are only evenly matched.

Moreover, Amer's machine tool companies are all run by capitalists acting independently, but their R&D capabilities are indeed frighteningly strong. If all their machine tool companies could coordinate and work together...
Even if Zhou Zhiqiang works 23 hours a day, he might barely catch up.

The gap between the two sides is too large. One side is catching up from scratch, and even its industrial base needs the help of the Soviet Union to lay the foundation.

The other side started developing before World War II and benefited from the war, attracting a large influx of talented scientists. It was no easy feat for Zhou Zhiqiang to lead Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory to catch up.

"And this is all thanks to the support and help from Director Chen and Professor Yu, both of your universities. If it were just our factory, we might still be busy with the main shaft linkage problem by the end of the year."
"Gentlemen, if you have any promising talents at the school, please be sure to recommend them to our Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory; I may not be able to secure a cadre position, but cadre status will be retained, and all other benefits are negotiable."

"Furthermore, Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory has many upcoming projects and will definitely need a lot of talent. Director Chen, Professor Yu, when you write recommendation letters to the Ministry of Education in the future, please consider our factory more often."

As the project neared its end, Zhou Zhiqiang began asking the two for college students who were about to graduate.

There's no way around it; there's a severe shortage of talent these days, especially in mechanical engineering. We have to compete for them, and a college graduate can be a great help.

If it weren't for so many people helping them shorten the research and development time, the composite CNC machine tool wouldn't have been developed so quickly.

"Director Zhou, you're too kind. Everyone knows that the composite CNC machine tool was developed and manufactured so quickly, and you deserve the most credit." Professor Yu said with a smile, "If I find a suitable student, I will definitely recommend him to Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory."

Putting everything else aside, I can learn a lot under Director Zhou's guidance, and I can also contribute to the country.

There are too many opportunities to work on projects at Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory. Professor Yu and Director Chen both know that studying at school is just laying the foundation. If you want to grow continuously, you can only get better training by participating in various projects.

You can get this opportunity at Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory.

In just a few years, how much has Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory achieved? CNC machine tools alone are considered a major national investment project, which has had a significant impact on the development of industry across the country.

After chatting with Director Chen and Professor Yu for a while in the final assembly workshop, Zhou Zhiqiang decided to go back to his office first.

Besides having other matters to attend to, Zhou Zhiqiang also planned to report to his department.

The First Ministry of Machine Building has once again brought out CNC machine tools with such powerful processing capabilities that can assist in many major projects. In the future, they will definitely have a great deal of say in matters related to the First Ministry of Machine Building.

Before leaving, Zhou Zhiqiang checked the time; it was still a while before lunch, but he still said goodbye to Director Chen and Professor Yu.
"Director Chen, Professor Yu, I'll have the cafeteria cook two dishes for lunch, so we can celebrate together."

"Since everyone from your school is here, I'll have the cafeteria manager arrange it later."

Director Chen smiled and said, "Then thank you for your hospitality, Director Zhou."

"Of course, such a good thing is worth celebrating. I'll go back to my office to take care of some things first. See you in the cafeteria at noon."

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, he called Ding Zhixue over, gave him some instructions, and then left the final assembly workshop to go to his office.

After returning to his office in the factory building, Zhou Zhiqiang first called Zhang Yaoguo over.

After entering the office, Zhang Yaoguo first made Zhou Zhiqiang a cup of tea before asking, "Factory Director, is there anything you need me to do?"

"Go and tell the canteen manager to arrange a few tables of private food to entertain the project team members from Tsinghua University and the University of Technology. Put it on my personal tab."

"It's lunchtime, please ask the kitchen staff to do their work."

Zhou Zhiqiang began, "There's one more thing. How's Secretary Li doing lately? Do you know?"

"Secretary Li seems to be recovering well. Comrade Xiaojian said he can even take walks now, but he can't work for long periods of time anymore."

If he takes regular rest, he certainly won't get sick again, but if this old Party Secretary is left at his post, working eleven or twelve hours a day...

Secretary Li will definitely need to be hospitalized again.

No one dares to take this responsibility. Now that Li Younian wants to come back to work, his superiors are trying to persuade him to give up the idea.

It's not like they can't find other people; they keep relying on older comrades. What kind of logic is that?

"Yaoguo, take some time these next couple of days to visit Secretary Li. Bring him some gifts and tell him about the factory's situation. Our factory's composite CNC machine tool has been successfully developed and manufactured, and it's currently undergoing subsequent testing."

Zhou Zhiqiang paused for a moment, then continued, "I don't have much time lately. Tell Secretary Li that I will definitely visit him once I've finished my work at the factory."

Oh, and please write down the money for the things you bought; I'll pay you back together later.

If you don't manage the positions of factory director and party secretary for even two days, they can pile up a lot of work on your desk.

Now, the Jiuzhou Machine Tool Plant, including all its branch plants, has nearly 20,000 employees.

When there are many people involved, even the smallest matter becomes a big deal. Even if it involves more than a dozen people, Zhou Zhiqiang has to personally approve and reply to it.

In particular, Zhou Zhiqiang also has to take on research and development projects, which leaves him with even less free time, so he is very busy now.

"Yes, factory manager, I understand."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yaoguo immediately said, "Then I will visit Secretary Li at the hospital on your behalf tomorrow and tell him the good news from the factory."

"I'll go inform the cafeteria manager now and ask him to arrange for special meals at noon."

"Okay, please."

After Zhang Yaoguo left, Zhou Zhiqiang picked up the phone again and dialed the Ministry of Machine Building.

After the call connected, Zhou Zhiqiang said with a smile, "Director Ren, I have some good news for you."
Haha, Director Ren, you should have pretended not to know and let me finish.

Before Zhou Zhiqiang could even mention the composite CNC machine tool, Director Ren on the other end of the phone had already asked about it.

Zhou Zhiqiang had no choice but to say, "It has been successfully manufactured and is currently undergoing follow-up testing and inspection. After passing the inspection of long-term operation and processing, the project can be declared a success."

Composite CNC machine tools reduce the instability that may occur between machining processes, and the integrated CNC system has also been greatly improved. In terms of machining capabilities alone, this machine tool is probably among the best in the world.
I can't say for sure if they're number one, but based on Amei's performance two years ago, they weren't as good as us.

Upon hearing this, Ren Licheng on the other end of the phone laughed heartily and said, "Great job, Zhiqiang! This is really good news for the ministry."

How to use this machine tool will need to be arranged with the planning department. But when can you start production on your end?

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang immediately replied, "The earliest we can expect to see production is November. Before then, we can only produce them one at a time, no more than two per month."

The factory needs to fulfill its export orders first, so it can't allocate too much production capacity to the composite CNC machine tools.

Director Ren immediately said, "No rush, I'll go talk to the leaders first. Your news is a real lifesaver."
Last week, regarding the appointment of party officials in your factory, the Organization Department again consulted with our ministry's personnel department, but we still haven't given an answer!

(End of this chapter)