Chapter 493 The localization of 396 diesel engines
Coal Province Diesel Engine Factory.
“Welcome Mr. Qin.” Factory director Wang Xiangyang expressed a warm welcome to Qin Tao’s arrival, with a large group of people standing behind him.
During the 022 missile boat diesel engine supporting project, Qin Tao came into contact with Guo Jiamin, the director of the sales department. Now, Guo Jiamin is the deputy director, standing next to Wang Xiangyang. After shaking hands with Qin Tao, Guo Jiamin I introduced him to the people around him.
“This is Sun Tao, the person in charge of the localization of the 396 diesel engine. He will go to the conference room in a while and he will give you a detailed report.”
Sun Tao is a middle-aged man in his forties, short, wearing thick glasses, and blue overalls with even a few oil stains on them. It looks like he came from the front line.
"There is no need to enter the conference room. Let's go to the production line first." After Qin Tao finished speaking, he thought of something and continued to ask: "I won't embarrass you, right?"
"Of course not. With your level, Mr. Qin, you have access to many secrets, including the tank's engine. If you want to see it..."
Qin Tao quickly waved his hand: "I don't want to see it. Tank diesel engines are very different from our marine diesel engines."
What’s the difference?
Of course the needs are different.
Marine diesel engines do not care about size. After all, there is plenty of space on the ship, so the impact of size is not very serious.
But the same cannot be said for tanks. Tanks are driven on the ground. The size of the engine directly determines its overall size. If you look at Western tanks, they all have a big bulge in the back, which is caused by the size of the engine.
Another difference is lifespan.
In order to achieve high enough power output in a small size, tank engines are of a level that exploits their potential. Take the oldest 59 tank engine as an example. It only has a lifespan of 500 motorized hours. After that, it will have to Overhaul.
For a ship, the maiden voyage has not even ended after 500 hours, and the engine needs to be overhauled. How is this possible?
At present, the Coal Province Diesel Engine Factory is developing a new generation of tank engines for the army. It is their number one key project, but it has nothing to do with Qin Tao.
"Yes, there are indeed big differences, but in some areas, they are still similar, such as their manufacturing technology, precision processing technology, etc." Sun Tao said: "Our 616 Factory has explored many advanced processing technologies. The technology has solved many technical problems in precision machining of connecting rods, crankshafts, and pistons, and is completely universal. However, some technologies still cannot be broken through immediately.”
When it was first established, the factory was codenamed 616, so even now, many old people are still accustomed to using the codename 616 Factory.
“For example?” Qin Tao asked.
“For example, for a diesel engine, the most important things are the high-pressure oil pump and fuel injectors, which directly determine the power output and fuel consumption of the diesel engine. The 396 diesel engine we currently produce still needs to import these key parts. "
While talking, everyone has arrived at the assembly shop. On the engine stand, diesel engines are being assembled one after another.
Small diesel engines are all produced in assembly lines, and dozens of units can be produced every day. However, the annual output of such large marine diesel engines may be single digits, so there is no need to set up a production line at all.
The 396 diesel engine is widely used in China. The annual output is only one or two hundred units. The average monthly output is single to ten digits. Therefore, it can be assembled directly on the engine bench.
In the long production plant, there are a row of engine stands. On each stand, there is an engine being assembled.
The cast steel body shines dazzlingly under the light, and the V-shaped engine is like a big mouth open, waiting to eat.
There are benches on both sides, and the 165 mm diameter piston is being carefully assembled by hand. The shiny appearance looks so smooth.
"Currently, we have about 20 sets of oil pumps and fuel injectors in stock." Wang Xiangyang introduced: "If Mingzhou Group needs it, we can provide it to you. However, after this batch is used up, we want to order from MTU Company again. , it’s not easy.”
The key device is stuck in the neck, and everyone feels uncomfortable.
"Mr. Qin, you reminded us a few years ago that we should attach great importance to localization, so we spent a lot of effort to assemble more than 90% of the accessories ourselves. It took ten years. However, in the end, these , I’m afraid it will take many more years.” Guo Jiamin also expressed emotion.
Qin Tao reminded me at the beginning that when the 396 diesel engine was used on the 022 missile boat, Qin Tao said that he would be prepared to prevent some people from causing damage and cutting off the supply, making it impossible to build relevant ships, and now, it is finally here!
"We have to gradually develop and become stronger. There will always be people who are hostile to us and want to hinder our peaceful development." Qin Tao said: "And what we have to do is to break through. We will break through whatever others block. Even, we We must do better! Moreover, since the technologies are all related, as long as we break through the technical problems of the 396 diesel engine's fuel supply system, other related products will be guaranteed, right? For example, the Army's engine?"
Sun Tao nodded: "Yes, a high-performance diesel engine cannot be separated from a high-performance oil pump and fuel injector."
The working principle of a diesel engine is not difficult. It consists of four basic steps: air intake, compression, power generation and exhaust.
Before the work begins, the fuel injector will inject atomized diesel into the cylinder. The pressure of the oil pump and the processing level of the fuel injector determine the atomization quality, which directly affects the combustion effect.
“The workbench here is a fuel injection pump and nozzle imported from Germany.” Sun Tao pointed to one of the devices on the table and said.
Qin Tao nodded, walked over, and looked at the cylindrical-shaped parts.
“Have we ever copied it ourselves? Is it a matter of materials or processing technology?” Qin Tao asked.
"Both." Sun Tao said: "Our industrial base still cannot reach the level of the West. We once disassembled a set of devices to imitate them based on the technical data we purchased. However, the high-pressure oil pump cannot reach the pressure of the original. , the atomization of the fuel injector is not good enough, the power has dropped by about 10%, and the lifespan is less than half of the original product.”
When he said this, Sun Tao's face became a little ugly: "Even when we disassembled the high-pressure oil pump imported from Germany and then reassembled it, we still couldn't achieve the original quality. I really don't know how they installed it."
When Asan was studying the Arjun tank, he purchased the diesel engine parts of the Leopard-2 tank directly from Germany and assembled them himself. As a result, he was surprised to find that the engine, which could originally produce 1,500 horsepower, had been assembled by them. One thousand horsepower is not enough!
This incident was ridiculed by many people.
Actually, it’s not much better in China! I still can't handle the high-pressure oil pump and injector of this 396 diesel engine.
However, this is also the last difficulty.
“Especially, no matter how we debug it, there will be problems with the injection time of our imitation high-pressure oil pump. It’s either too early or too late.”
These problems have been tormenting them for a long time. How to solve them? Still confused.
If you have been in the truck repair industry, you will know that there is a professional term called oil pump calibration. If the oil pump works for a long time, it will no longer be accurate. At this time, it needs professional personnel to adjust it. Among them, people from Nanyang, Netherlands are the most It is well-known. At its peak, people from this place were working at the cadre school oil pumps all over the country, with a total scale of more than 20,000.
Of course, with the advancement of technology, when it develops into the era of high-pressure common rail, mechanical oil pumps will withdraw from the stage of history.
etc!
Qin Tao suddenly thought of something: "If we want to control combustion accurately, can we use high-pressure common rail technology? Directly bypass the existing high-pressure oil pump and nozzle, and transition to the high-pressure common rail era?"
Mechanical pumps are multi-body. One injector corresponds to the plunger and sleeve of an oil pump. The pressure is provided by the extrusion of the cam. The oil supply time is completely determined by the machine, and it is very complicated to adjust.
The high-pressure common rail system is different. It has only one oil pump, which provides stable pressure to a common rail pipe and connects each injector. As for the fuel supply time, it is determined by the computer, so that the control is more precise and the combustion is more precise. Complete.
In civilian cars, this technology has begun to become popular. Especially new cars produced in Europe must be equipped with this system, so as to meet the strict environmental requirements. Since the combustion is more complete, it is more fuel-efficient and the power output can be improved. increase further.
As for China, it only started to become popular after entering the new millennium, and because diesel was not up to standard, it was initially resented by users.
Improve the engine in front of you into a high-pressure common rail system?
Sun Tao frowned: "Mr. Qin, this technology has just been promoted in Europe and is only mastered by Bosch. If we develop it ourselves, it will probably take a long time!"
Even if we don’t consider the financial issue, it is impossible to guarantee the time.
After all, this is not just a matter of replacing the high-pressure oil pump and fuel injectors, there are many other aspects that need to be changed: the air intake must have an air flow sensor, the transmission shaft must have a speed sensor, and other things such as oil pressure, etc. It will take a long time to make improvements and upgrade from mechanical to computer control.
Conservatively estimated, one year is optimistic, and it may take three to five years.
As for the existing products, if new oil pumps and injectors cannot be imported, production will be discontinued next month!
This is simply because far water cannot quench near thirst!
Qin Tao smiled: "What do you think the people at MTU would think if they saw that we were developing a more advanced high-voltage common rail system?"
Of course, development will take time, and this technology is too advanced, so the time will definitely not be short. However, Qin Tao's purpose is not just this.
The 396 diesel engine is produced under the authorization of MTU. Now, if MTU makes a mistake and refuses to provide supporting parts to itself, then it can also announce that it has developed a brand new engine and has nothing to do with MTU. In this way, MTU company will not get a dime.
Even in the future, if our own research and development is successful and the performance of the 396 diesel engine continues to improve, we may be able to steal the business of MTU!
So, after the savvy Germans discovered the R&D project of the coal province diesel engine factory, they had to weigh it. Is it meaningful to continue cutting off supply? It stimulated the Orientals to complete comprehensive localization, and it has nothing to do with them in the future!
So, after various considerations, the Germans may give up their original plan to cut off supply and restore supply. After all, they cannot do without the East!
Qin Tao shook his head: "This is not a false shot. We must achieve 100% localization. This is just delaying time and letting the Germans resume supply until we can produce all the parts ourselves."
"Mr. Qin, I often hear others mention your intelligence and intelligence. Seeing it with my own eyes today is really eye-opening. Your strategy has helped us get out of this predicament!" Wang Xiangyang was even more emotional.
Qin Tao smiled: "This is not enough. We still need to go to Europe and find another marine diesel engine factory to negotiate with, preferably from Germany."
If you don’t provide parts, the worst we can do is start from scratch! Anyway, the Coal Province Diesel Engine Factory originally acted as an agent for the 396 diesel engine, and later produced and sold the 396 diesel engine. It has already made a lot of money. Now it is no problem to go out and introduce a brand new product.
In short, your MTU company should not make any money in the future!
"Otherwise, Mannheim is a good choice. Their company also has a special diesel engine, but it has been suppressed by MTU's products and has no chance to stand out." Guo Jiamin said.
Mannheim Corporation? Qin Tao thought of something. The TDB620 engine was quite good. In Qin Tao's original time and space, it was even selected by Lao Maozi to power the Lao Maozi frigate.
Guo Jiamin continued to introduce: "Mannheim Company, referred to as MWM, is also an old company. It was founded in Mannheim, Germany in 1922. It is a company specializing in manufacturing engines. In the mid-1980s, it was merged by KHD Company and renamed Deutz-MWM is still located in Mannheim."
Qin Tao nodded: "Yes, let's do a show, go to Mannheim Company, and negotiate with them about the introduction of engines."
While he was talking happily, a staff member hurried over: "Factory director, factory director, it's bad, the German consultant is here!"
Their workshop here produces products with MTU technology, so MTU also has technical consultants stationed here who come to the production line every day.
Originally, Wang Xiangyang and the others planned to take Qin Tao to the conference room for an introduction. The German consultant had just finished his inspection, and then took Qin Tao to have a look.
Unexpectedly, Qin Tao asked to come to the workshop first, and finally, they got together!
Let Mr. Qin get out of the way? It's obviously inappropriate, so why should we avoid a German consultant?
However, the other party's request is to make things difficult for the Mingzhou Group, and it doesn't seem to be good for them to meet.
Just when Wang Xiangyang had difficulty choosing, Qin Tao helped him make a decision.
“It’s just the right time. Let’s put on a play here. Now we don’t have to go to Germany to find the Mannheim Company, and the air ticket money is saved.”
Acting?
Actually, Karl, a German technical consultant, came here in a hurry.
He has already heard that Mr. Qin from the Mingzhou Group is here, and of course he knows what Mr. Qin is here for. However, he doesn't care. The marine diesel engines produced by MTU Company are famous, and he has not paid attention to the Mingzhou Group yet.
After Mr. Qin comes, do you have to go to the conference room for a meeting first? Easterners like this, so he waited for a while.
Then, when he heard that Mr. Qin was coming straight to the workshop, he lazily walked over.
As soon as I walked to the door of the workshop, I heard a quarrel inside.
After coming here for a few years, Karl also learned the language here, so he could hear what was going on inside without a translator.
“What? There are only twenty sets of fuel injectors and fuel pumps left, so you can’t provide them to us?”
I have never heard this voice before. It probably belongs to Mr. Qin. When he heard this, Karl was very happy. It seemed that they were anxious.
Without MTU's diesel engines, their submarines cannot continue to be built!
Of course, this is not just an instruction from the Americans. It is not appropriate for the Americans to just say a few words and let them come out as guns. They also have their own interests to consider: this advanced diesel-electric submarine will seriously disrupt the world. The market for diesel-electric submarines!
Originally, the 209 submarine was the leader in the industry. It was exported to many countries and became an evergreen tree in the arms market. Some countries even specially introduced production lines for production!
What now?
039B came out of nowhere!
Pump-jet propeller, AIP system, single-double hull hybrid structure... It is conceivable that once this submarine opens the international arms market, it will seriously threaten the export of German submarines!
After all, the performance of the AIP system is so advanced that even German submarines don’t have it! Their 212 submarine is still undergoing design modifications and has not been put into construction. Dongfang has already begun sea trials!
Hence, for various reasons, they must contain the Mingzhou Group’s foreign trade submarines.
At this time, after hearing this angry curse, he thought this method worked!
"Mr. Qin, please calm down, there is nothing we can do." This was the voice of Factory Director Wang.
“You also know that if we want to continue production, we must rely on related parts provided by MTU.”
"It has been ten years since the introduction of the 396 diesel engine in 1986, and you have not completed the 100% localization task. You have disappointed me so much. I will report to my superiors and hold all of you accountable!"
This is angry! Karl is very happy. If the people here are removed, especially the experienced technicians who are transferred from their posts, it will cause production chaos. It would be better if the 396 diesel engine cannot be produced here and continues to be imported from Germany!
“Mr. Qin, please rest assured that we will imitate the relevant parts as soon as possible and complete 100% localization.”
Hey, is this a sign of determination?
Carl became curious. This voice belonged to Sun Tao, the specific technical person in charge. He often dealt with Carl and he was very familiar with it.
“We will cooperate with foreign companies and introduce Bosch’s advanced high-pressure common rail technology. This will not only solve the problem, but also greatly improve the performance of the 396 diesel engine, surpassing the level of the original version.”
Collaborate with Bosch to develop high-voltage common rail technology?
Karl already had an ominous premonition in his heart.
Their company is also working on this kind of project. This is the most advanced technology in the world. Are these Orientals inspired to rush forward?
No, we absolutely cannot allow technology research and development here!
"Huh, I don't trust you anymore. You spineless guys can't hold their chests up when others cut off their confession!" Mr. Qin's voice continued: "We have decided to find others. By cooperating with diesel engine manufacturers, it’s not just MTU’s diesel engines that can be used on submarines.”
“Mr. Qin, MTU’s diesel engine is the most suitable!”
"What is suitable? Their 396 diesel engine has long been outdated. The MTU4000 diesel engine that their MTU company is currently researching is the most advanced. However, due to their poor performance, they will not be able to provide it to us within ten years." Angry The voice continued: "So, we can choose diesel engines from other companies and don't have to hang them on a tree."
This Mr. Qin is so awesome. He actually knows about the new diesel engine he is developing?
Karl was stunned, and the ominous premonition became stronger and stronger.
“We decided to go to Mannheim Company. The TBD620 diesel engine they have just successfully developed has greater power and lower fuel consumption. It is a better choice for us.”
Mannheim Corporation? The company that lives in the shadow of MTU?
This company will not listen to any ban. As long as the Mingzhou Group comes to the door, it will definitely sell it. Even if it is restricted, it can still be sold on the excuse of civilian use!
Karl's expression changed.
"We will not only use it on submarines, but also on surface vessels. The merchant ships we are building will also use a large number of Mannheim's diesel engines! Especially the membrane type natural gas carrier patented by our Mingzhou Group. We have completely revised the design drawings and replaced the MTU engine with engines from Mannheim. Anyone who uses our patent must follow our design drawings!"
Karl was already shocked.
For orders for only one or two submarines, single-digit engines are not required. However, engines for surface ships, especially those for commercial ships, cannot be replaced by others, even if they are just auxiliary machines for generating electricity.
Their MTU company has opened up the market and gained recognition from users. Therefore, Mannheim company's products cannot be sold. However, if Mingzhou Group vigorously promotes it, then Mannheim company can gain a foothold in the field of marine diesel engines. , and even continued to develop it in the future, until it finally threatened their MTU company!
Can't let this happen!
“Okay, our cooperation ends here. We will fly to Europe immediately to sign a strategic partnership contract with Mannheim Company!”
Someone came out from inside. That person was so young and had such a strong aura.
Karl quickly walked up.
“Mr. Qin, Mr. Qin, please don’t get excited. There must be a misunderstanding here.”
He wants to recover and cannot let the Mannheim Company become powerful!
(End of this chapter)