Huang He: Process precision parts to "perfect perfection"
Precision parts processing reaches 1 micron precision . How does a 40-year-old technical school student counterattack and become a great craftsman?
Precision machining with precision down to microns
The radar system on the spacecraft is as important as the eyes in human eyes. However, the "retina" of radar is composed of thousands of microwave devices as large as a fingernail. The processing accuracy of these devices directly determines how far the radar can "see" and how clearly it can be seen.
In the field of precise and detailed parts processing, if the error exceeds 1 micron, it means it will be scrapped. This is not only a requirement at the data level, but also a hard indicator related to whether the spacecraft can work normally. The surface smoothness of each device must reach the same level as a mirror surface. A little carelessness will make all previous efforts in vain.
The transformation dilemma of traditional milling workers
More than 20 years ago, after Huang He graduated from a technical school, he entered the research institute of the Second Academy of Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation and became an ordinary milling engineer. At that time, CNC machine tools were not yet commonly used, and most factories mainly relied on traditional machine tools to carry out production operations.
Looking back, Huang He said that at that time, the processing work was entirely based on the feel of the hand, and he had to spend a lot of time every morning to connect with the work of the previous day. The efficiency of the traditional process was very low, and the accuracy was difficult to control. This situation made Huang He feel anxious and bored. He spent a long time thinking about how to break through the limitations of manual production.
The shocking impact of CNC technology
An accidental production task greatly touched Huang He. The workpieces that were originally processed by the milling team were delivered to the CNC team. The work that was originally expected to take three days to complete was completed in just three hours by the CNC team.
Products produced by CNC machining have higher standards and smaller errors. This led Huang He to realize that the traditional manual methods would sooner or later be replaced by new technologies in the future. As a middle-aged milling team leader in his forties, he is faced with a critical and important decision in his life.
The difficult decision to change careers at the age of 40
That night, Huang He lay on the bed and continued to work on precision parts processing without falling asleep. Early the next morning, he knocked on the door of the leadership office with a job transfer application in hand. People around him did not understand what a man in his forties was doing. Being transferred from the head of the milling team to the CNC team was tantamount to starting over.
But Huang He has always believed that the old method of manual control of accuracy will sooner or later be eliminated by new technologies that use programming to implement control. For the radar precision parts processing industry, if it cannot keep up with the pace of technological innovation, it will be ruthlessly abandoned by the times. And this determination that he possessed finally pushed him to enter the CNC group.
Years of hard study starting from scratch
After joining the CNC team, the difficulties were far more than expected. CNC tools rely on programming languages to implement control and their operation methods are much more complex. The same CNC machine tool Huang He used: to process precision parts to "flawless perfection", which others could complete in one go, Huang He had to spend about three times the time. Not only did Huang He's work efficiency not increase, but on the contrary, it decreased.
Although Huang He did not hold back, he recorded his professional knowledge and operating instructions one by one, and pondered over them repeatedly. If he encountered a problem that he did not understand, he would humbly ask younger colleagues in the team for advice. No matter when he got off work every night, the factory was completely empty, but he was the only one who was still studying there.
Overcoming ultra-thin device processing problems
After Huang He worked hard in the CNC group for nine years, he grew into the technical backbone of the factory. A certain type of microwave device has extremely high precision requirements. The side walls of its ultra-thin cavity are extremely prone to deformation during processing. Even a trace of scratch can cause the workpiece to be scrapped.
Traditional milling machine tools are unable to handle this level of precision work, but digitally controlled machine tools can show their advantages. Huang He seemed to be playing with a Rubik's Cube, repeatedly combining various processing parameters, auxiliary materials and tool models. After two months of testing, he came up with a perfect product. The surface of the cavity of the product was uniform in thickness, and its inner wall was basically almost a straight line.
Today, Huang He often exchanges his insights and experiences with his apprentices. He always said that when processing any delicate parts, you must never give up in-depth study, you must broaden your horizons and closely follow the cutting-edge trends of the times. Think about it, at this moment when technology is changing rapidly, what is the most important thing for a skilled worker?
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