Chapter 1129: Do as I say first
Champine’s words are definitely not alarmist.
The main mainline aircraft models currently being operated by major airlines are basically Boeing 737NG and Airbus A320ceo.
They are not two specific models, but two generations of a series of aircraft.
And they are all facing the problem of falling behind the times soon.
Although the Boeing 737NG is called the "next generation", it is essentially a limited improvement of the second-generation 737.
Moreover, it is not an active improvement.
It was in the early 1990s that it was hit by the A320 and had no choice but to undergo a wave of repairs.
In Boeing's plan, after 2010 at the latest, the Y1 model in the Yellowstone plan with the same technical level as the 787 (Y2) and a completely new design will be put on the market.
The 737NG is essentially a temporary transitional model.
As for the A320ceo...
ceo is originally the abbreviation of traditional engine (CurrentEngineOption), and it has not been seriously replaced in 20 years.
Originally, if it were just two strong powers competing, then in this situation, it would really be possible to achieve a balance of power.
That is, everyone just makes do with it and sees who can't stand it any longer first.
However, around 2000, Canada's Bombardier Aerospace Company suddenly jumped out and said that it would develop a brand new C-series passenger aircraft to form an "ABC" competition with Boeing and Airbus.
Although it is nominally a regional aircraft, the first model of this C-series series is 120-130 seats, which covers the business scope of Airbus A319 to a considerable extent.
In fact, in the original timeline, due to limited investment and lack of determination, the research and development of this C series was intermittently, and it was not until 2008 that a relatively complete plan was developed.
But now, perhaps driven by the idea that "if China can do it, I can do it," Canadians are very ambitious and move very quickly.
By early 2004, the C series had been put into a basic framework.
And because Bombardier has been involved in various passenger aircraft research and development projects for a long time and is a Western company, its experience and external conditions are much stronger than those of China. The performance of the newly designed aircraft is far better than that of two old guys who are patching things up. .
I actually got orders for dozens of them.
Some of them even come from airlines that used to only use Airbus.
Now, the Europeans can’t sit still.
You must know that it was Boeing's attitude of ignoring the development of Airbus that allowed the latter to become bigger, and now it is even looking to replace it.
How could they make the same mistake again?
Therefore, it is imperative to completely upgrade the A320.
Once an aircraft of this level is replaced, it is likely to last another twenty or thirty years.
For an aerospace supplier to remain invisible in the most mainstream market for such a long time, it will definitely bring extremely high risks.
Therefore, Bodi's expression immediately became serious:
"I will try my best to convince the leadership and allocate resources in this direction as soon as possible..."
From a technical point of view, it is indeed much easier to build a smaller engine after having built a larger engine.
But at the commercial level, if you don’t have enough time or funds, it will be difficult to compete with friends who have more experience.
Suddenly, the roar of the aircraft engine came from far and near, interrupting Bodi's thoughts.
The A340 has completed all the test tasks planned for this flight and appeared in mid-air towards the end of the runway.
“Speak up, Charles.”
Bodi changed the subject:
"What is the current progress of the first prototype of the A380?"
"The body part will be assembled soon. Our plan is to build the next one." It will be released to the world in May and will be shipped off the factory before the end of the year. The first flight will be carried out early next year..."
"..."
...
at the same time.
At the Dassault Toulouse factory a little further from the airport.
After bidding farewell to the two of them just now, Didier Casore didn't bother to take a break and found the head of the production department, Shamussen Bain, almost non-stop.
The latter was currently busy improving the production capacity of two new models, Rafale F2 and Falcon 8Z. It was not until Casore tapped his shoulder a few times that he noticed the other party's arrival.
"Supervisor?"
The confusion on Bain's face has not yet disappeared.
Casore was a little helpless:
"I informed the headquarters last week that I was going back to China...didn't anyone inform you?"
Hearing this question , Bain was stunned for a moment, then raised his head and glanced at the calendar next to him: "Uh... I have been solving a process problem on the Rafale F2 production line these days, and I may have made a mistake in the date."
As he explained, he rolled up the drawings on the table and pushed them aside:
"I remember you said that there are new production tasks to be handed over to us?"
Seeing him like this Looking like a workaholic, Casore couldn't say much. He just took a computer bag from the entourage behind him:
"Yes, it is also related to Falcon 8Z..."< br>
As he spoke, he quickly took out his laptop and turned it on:
"The brand-new technology cannot be solved by the assembly level of China, so we need temporary help."
Obviously, he completely believed the reasons that Liang Shaoxiu had lied about before.
However, the Bain manager opposite frowned slightly and seemed a little unhappy:
“The new factory has put into production two new models at the same time, and the production line operation is already very tense... Again If the production plan is temporarily changed, I am afraid it will affect the entire production plan..."
Casore had just finished entering the power-on password, raised his head and explained:
"The priority of this matter is very high, and the number of assembly parts is very small, so the impact will not be great."
"But supervisor, any new process needs a lot of testing to determine the parameters before it is put into production. This is different from The output has nothing to do with it... rather, the small output is more wasteful."
Bain had a trace of doubt on his face.
In his opinion, although Casore has worked in the design department for many years, he should not ignore such low-level problems.
“Most of the parameters are determined... we just need to debug the equipment according to the actual situation.”
Having said this, Kasore turned the computer screen and pushed it in front of Bain.
The above is a complete assembly process description.
"The skin radius is 2723mm, the arc length is 300mm, and the total length is 630mm. Positioning surface 1 constrains the degrees of freedom in the X, Y and Z directions, and positioning surface 2 constrains the two degrees of freedom in the X and Y directions. Total Divided into 25845 elements, the type is shell element..."
"The long truss specification is 42.3mm*30.0mm*630mm, and the positioning point 1 constrains the two degrees of freedom X and Z..."
In addition to the somewhat blunt text description, it also thoughtfully comes with assembly model diagrams and a summary table of operating parameters.
In short, even if you only look at the first two pages, it doesn't look like a "new process" at all.
On the contrary, it seems that it has been studied for a while and was just used for trial production...
Bain glanced at Kasore with some suspicion:
"So The large-size pre-connection process... I’m afraid the yield rate cannot be guaranteed.”
“Don’t worry, then read on.”
The latter replied:
"Besides, if it wasn't difficult, I wouldn't come to you."
The production line management ability and the technical level of workers have always been Bain's most attractive qualities. Two strengths that we are proud of.
Now that he was suddenly put on a high hat, it was a little inconvenient for him to refute, so he had to lower his head and return his gaze to the computer screen.
"The pre-connection sequence between units: 11-12-13-14-15-21-22... The pre-connection path distance is 10567mm, the pre-connection point of unit 1 is set to 13, 6, 20, pre-connection The forces are 39N, 44N and 43N respectively, and the three coordinate values are (90, 23, 160); unit 2..."
"..."
Bain's expression gradually became serious.
As an old engineer who has worked on the production line for more than 30 years, he quickly realized that this assembly process was not like the past, which only provided broad-based guidance and required production personnel to adjust according to the actual situation. The specific operation method is to determine the number, location and order of connection points from the beginning.
But the problem is that even different individuals of the same model will have deviations and deformations during the production and assembly process.
So in the past, this was determined by skilled workers based on experience.
This is also the fundamental reason why the aircraft production process has not been fully automated for a long time.
The current model seems to reduce the burden on the production line, but it is equivalent to piling all risks into the final assembly process.
"Director, are you sure..."
Bain just started, but Kasore didn't let him continue.
The latter actually has no idea, but there is really no better way at the moment:
"Do as I say first. As for the final situation... we will wait until the product comes off the production line!"
Although the two parties have the same administrative level, when it comes to the specific business relationship, Casore, as the deputy director of models, has Have the authority to guide the work on the production side.
Therefore, when he finally made the decision, Bain did not continue to bargain:
"Then I will convene a meeting with the production line engineers immediately."
"But the specifics It's best for you to explain the situation to everyone..."
(End of this chapter)