The Immortal Warrior: From Reverse Engineering to Forging Swords for the Country

The precision required for aerospace-grade rocket components is extremely high, and many components require a tolerance of only one-tenth of a hair, or even finer.

It has reached several microns.

To process such precision parts, not only precision CNC machine tools are required, but also superb processing capabilities.

If any point is wrong, there is no way to produce fine and qualified parts.

Previously, the machining accuracy requirement for rocket combustion chamber and turbopump components was 8 microns.

The precision of this processing can be achieved by technicians.

Moreover, the combustion chamber and turbopump components of the Fat Five engine are made using the 8-micron standard.

Now, Zhang Zhipeng wants to improve the accuracy.

He wants to achieve a precision of 5 microns or even higher for parts.

When he told Wang Youliang about this, Wang Youliang shook his head and said, "I'm afraid this is difficult to achieve, right?"

"Our previous processing accuracy was at most 8 microns."

"I read foreign papers and found that the precision of important parts of the space rockets of the Lizard Kingdom and the Big Bear is about the same."

"Others have already been able to use liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen engines. Isn't that a problem?"

Zhang Zhipeng smiled faintly and said, "Just let me handle the processing of these parts."

"I'll do it myself!"

“We strive to achieve the required processing accuracy.”

Wang Youliang didn't really believe it.

He thought that 8 microns of precision was already the limit of human capabilities.

Do you want to upgrade to 5 microns?

Is that possible?

Moreover, as a top scientist, he actually has to do the job of a technician.

This is also inappropriate.

Wang Youliang felt a little bit disapproving.

But since Zhang Zhipeng wanted to do this personally, it would be difficult for him to stop him.

"Okay, then, how long will it take you to process the required parts?"

“There are hundreds of high-precision parts.”

Zhang Zhipeng said calmly: "I'll give it a try. I'll try to get this done in two or three days."

Wang Youliang gave a thumbs up and said, "As expected of Comrade Zhipeng, you are awesome."

"I wish you success."

Zhang Zhipeng knew in his heart that Wang Youliang didn't believe he could succeed.

Zhang Zhipeng said: "Let me design a set of processing operation procedures and a special program first."

"I hope that 5 microns of precision can become the new precision standard for the core components of our space rockets in the future."

Wang Youliang smiled and said, "Then what do I need to do?"

Zhang Zhipeng said: "You can send some technical backbones to help me or something."

“I hope everyone can master this technology.”

Wang Youliang naturally agreed.

So he sent several senior technicians to help Zhang Zhipeng and learn the technology at the same time.

One of the top CNC lathe operators and senior technicians is Wang Xiaohu.

Wang Xiaohu is an employee in the rocket parts processing workshop of the Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

He is known for his technical proficiency.

His unique skill is that he can achieve precision machining of precision parts in a non-precision environment.

He is familiar with machine tool performance and process methods, and can maximize the performance of CNC machine tools.

Over the past many years, he has basically processed all the important rocket components himself.

Of course, this also includes the engine samples from the Fat Five's recent test runs.

Wang Xiaohu was a little bothered by the repeated explosions of rocket engines whose precision components he had made himself.

He felt that this was a huge shame for himself.

Wang Xiaohu hopes to wash away this shame.

Therefore, he has recently been thinking about how to improve technical processes and enhance the precision processing of parts.

Wang Xiaohu naturally admires Zhang Zhipeng very much.

However, Wang Xiaohu was not very optimistic about Zhang Zhipeng's plan to personally process more sophisticated parts.

Although, an excellent scientist definitely has good hands-on skills.

After all, you have to work hard in the laboratory.

However, as the saying goes, every profession has its specialties. How can a top scientist teach a top technician how to do something?

This might be a little funny.

Wang Xiaohu believes that he is among the best in the country in the field of CNC machine tool precision machining.

He can continue to explore and improve the precision of processing.

Why does he need Zhang Zhipeng to guide his work?
Therefore, Wang Xiaohu was not very interested in Zhang Zhipeng at first.

The so-called respect is just superficial respect, nothing more.

Zhang Zhipeng could naturally see Wang Xiaohu's attitude towards him.

However, he didn't take it seriously.

He got down to work.

First, he reprogrammed the CNC machines.

Secondly, he improved the operating standards.

Afterwards, Zhang Zhipeng began to try to process the core precision components of rocket engines.

On his first attempt, he was able to achieve a precision of 10 microns in machining parts.

This amazed Wang Xiaohu.

Because Zhang Zhipeng's processing operation process is obviously more relaxed and free.

Obviously, this precision can be further improved.

What surprised Wang Xiaohu even more was that Zhang Zhipeng’s ability to operate various machines and equipment was so strong.

Even the most skilled level 8 fitter is probably not as good as Zhang Zhipeng.

"Yeah! We're still quite far from reaching the target, haha!"

"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Master Wang."

Zhang Zhipeng spoke politely to Wang Xiaohu.

Wang Xiaohu said with emotion: "Teacher Zhang, you are already amazing."

"It's quite impressive that you can make such a precise part in your first try."

Zhang Zhipeng then continued to try.

This second attempt, he was much more experienced.

He fine-tuned the instructions and made some appropriate adjustments to the operating techniques.

The second attempt began.

Wang Xiaohu stared with wide eyes as Zhang Zhipeng processed the parts in his hands as smoothly as flowing water.

Zhang Zhipeng is serious and focused.

He doesn't want to fail again.

The first component is completed.

"Let me measure the accuracy for you." Wang Xiaohu said hurriedly.

Zhang Zhipeng nodded and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Master Wang."

Wang Xiaohu felt that Zhang Zhipeng was too polite.

Such a top scientist is so polite to me.

He was already a little flattered.

Wang Xiaohu quickly took out the measuring tools to measure.

Soon, he measured the first part.

The measurement result is 5 microns!

Wang Xiaohu was shocked.

Oh my god! Can it really be processed to a precision of 5 microns?

"Isn't this unexpected?"

"Comrade Zhipeng, you actually processed parts with a precision of 5 microns?"

Wang Xiaohu shouted in surprise.

Zhang Zhipeng was already processing another part at this time.

Without even looking up, he said, "It's not that difficult!" "I'll give you some advice later. I believe you'll be able to master the techniques soon."

Wang Xiaohu was very surprised. As the saying goes, one trick is enough to conquer the world.

For technicians, the same is true for you.

The disciples of the church starve to death of the master.

Many senior craftsmen and technicians will not teach others the top skills they have mastered.

Because that would be a huge threat to them personally.

But now, Zhang Zhipeng wants to teach his skills to Wang Xiaohu and others without reservation.

This is the pattern, right?
Zhang Zhipeng then made several more parts by himself.

The precision reaches 5 microns.

This precision is too high.

Wang Xiaohu and others helped on the side, and Zhang Zhipeng taught them all the technical details and key points.

Then, he asked Wang Xiaohu and others to try it.

Wang Xiaohu and other technicians actually made parts with a precision of only 5 microns.

Just at this time, Wang Youliang came over to see the situation.

After Wang Youliang learned what happened at the scene, he was also shocked.

"Comrade Zhipeng, you are a little too awesome, aren't you?"

"Oh my god! You actually made parts with a precision of 5 microns!"

Wang Youliang couldn't believe it.

But the reality is right in front of us.

Zhang Zhipeng smiled and said, "Next, let Master Wang and his team make the parts."

"I'll rethink it myself and see if I can improve the thermal insulation coating."

Wang Youliang quickly said, "Then I'll help you myself."

Wang Youliang now truly feels it: Zhang Zhipeng is truly awesome!
Zhang Zhipeng can always solve many difficult problems.

Zhang Zhipeng nodded and said, "Well! Then let's hurry up and work together."

"In addition to the thermal insulation coating, there are other things we need to do quickly."

Zhang Zhipeng began to develop thermal insulation coating again.

Wang Youliang was helping out on the side.

The aerospace thermal insulation organic coatings used previously actually have good performance.

However, after research, Zhang Zhipeng found that it can easily react chemically with liquid oxygen in a short period of time.

After the chemical reaction, the coating was destroyed.

Then the danger occurred.

Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the oxidation resistance of the coating and increase its stability.

Zhang Zhipeng told this to Wang Youliang, and Wang Youliang fell silent.

Wang Youliang and his team had actually noticed this problem before.

However, after verification and testing, they believe that any thermal insulation coating is inevitably oxidized.

The insulation material currently being used is the one with the best performance.

It seems that thermal insulation coating may really be an important factor leading to failure!

"Comrade Zhipeng, it seems that our previous work was not detailed enough." Wang Youliang felt a little ashamed.

Zhang Zhipeng waved his hand and said, "You have done a very good job."

"The thermal insulation coating is indeed a difficult problem."

"Let's keep going!"

So, everyone threw themselves into the work together.

After continuous testing, Zhang Zhipeng finally developed a new thermal insulation coating three days later.

This thermal insulation coating has stable performance, anti-oxidation, and excellent thermal insulation parameters.

In order to test the anti-oxidation properties of this coating, Zhang Zhipeng conducted a long experiment.

The results show that this kind of coating can resist oxidation for a long time and has no problem even under the corrosion of liquid oxygen.

Zhang Zhipeng then experimented with it and liquid hydrogen, and found no problems either.

The problem of thermal insulation coating has been officially solved.

Then, what needs to be solved is the problem of strengthening the structural strength of the engine.

This requires multiple means to be implemented simultaneously.

One of the most difficult points is: "Multiple materials need to be improved."

So everyone started working separately.

Zhang Zhipeng is mainly responsible for overall guidance.

A month passed and it was already January 2002.

Zhang Zhipeng finally worked with Wang Youliang's team to build a rocket engine.

On the day this engine was built in the workshop, it snowed heavily.

After assembling the last part, the workshop was very quiet and almost no one was talking.

No one cheered anymore.

What are you cheering for?

After all, the next test drive is the real test.

Zhang Zhipeng smiled and looked at everyone, and said, "What's going on?"

"We've created an improved engine, but everyone's faces are becoming more and more serious?"

Wang Youliang smiled bitterly and said, "Comrade Zhipeng, you don't know that when we built the two engines, everyone was very happy and thought victory was in sight."

"But it collapsed after the test run. It was a huge failure."

"We realized then that an engine that has not been tested cannot be considered a success."

"We can't be happy too soon."

Zhang Zhipeng nodded and said, "This idea is correct."

"But the air pressure can't be too low."

“We still have to be optimistic!”

"Look at the heavy snow outside, it's really beautiful!"

Zhang Zhipeng turned the topic to the heavy snow outside.

This reminded him of the divine song from his previous life: The First Snow of 2002.

God knows how that song suddenly became so popular.

But, it does sound pretty good.

Zhang Zhipeng thought about himself and traveled back to 1990. Before he knew it, 12 years had passed!

In the past 12 years, he has created a prosperous scene.

Everyone temporarily forgot about the rocket engine that had just been completed and came to the window to enjoy the snow.

Everyone was talking, and from time to time someone would recite famous lines about snow.

Just at this moment, Wang Youliang came back from outside again.

As the chief engineer of the Fat Five rocket, he always has more work to do than others.

After all, he has to coordinate the overall situation!
Although the engine is the most important component, other rocket components are also indispensable and very important.

"It's snowing heavily outside. It's only January, and I didn't expect it to snow so heavily," said Wang Youliang.

Zhang Zhipeng smiled and said, "Auspicious snow means a good harvest, which is also a good omen!"

"We have already built an improved version of the rocket engine."

"I think today is a good day, so why not start the test run right away."

Wang Youliang was hesitant: "Isn't this a bit too hasty?"

"The rocket has just been assembled, so we still need to do some other tests before we can talk about the ignition test run."

Zhang Zhipeng said: "Comrade Youliang is right, let's hurry up and test it!"

"After the test, we will start the ignition test immediately."

"I hope that I can seize the time to ignite and test the car successfully!"

"In this way, the first launch of the Long March 2002 can be carried out in ."

"Haven't we always had large satellites before that couldn't be launched because they were too heavy?"

"Now as long as the Fat Five is successfully developed, we can launch a heavy satellite to give it a try!"

Wang Youliang nodded and said, "It seems that Comrade Haoran is full of confidence in the success of the test run."

"Then let's hurry up and get to work."

So, everyone started to do their own job and conducted a series of tests on the rocket engine. (End of this chapter)