Weichai Group breaks through the 'no man's land' of technological innovation: injecting surging power into China's equipment manufacturing
The mechanical industry is an industry that provides technical equipment for the national economy and defense construction, and is an important pillar and leading industry of the national economy. With the progress of the People's Republic of China and under the guidance of the correct line and principles of the Party, especially the theory of reform and opening up and socialism with Chinese characteristics, China's machinery industry has experienced over 40 years of leapfrog development through self-reliance, arduous entrepreneurship, and reform and opening up. The overall appearance has undergone historic changes and remarkable achievements have been made.
On the occasion of celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, Economic Daily carried out a special report on the development of China's machinery industry. This article is a report on Weichai Group.
On May 25, 2021, the Weichai Power Future Technology Test and Inspection Center project, with an investment of 2 billion yuan and covering cutting-edge basic research, new energy, new processes, new materials, intelligent manufacturing and other testing and inspection capabilities, officially started construction, marking Weichai's comprehensive acceleration towards the "no man's land" of technological innovation.
Weichai was founded in 1946. Weichai people dared to take risks and tackle tough challenges. In 1956, they successfully developed the 6160 medium speed diesel engine, filling the gap in China's medium speed diesel engine market; In 1984, the country introduced a heavy-duty vehicle project, and Weichai undertook the research and production of heavy-duty engines, providing independent and controllable power for China's heavy-duty truck and construction machinery industries. In 1998, Weichai faced a crisis and, through a bold push for state-owned enterprise reform, created the "Weichai Miracle" of high-speed and high-quality growth. Behind the miracle lies the magnificent power of "technology led and innovation driven".
Recently, Shandong Heavy Industry Group held a promotion meeting for the "Military Edict" and "Leading the List". Its subsidiary Weichai Group presented 14 urgently needed scientific and technological projects and issued a "Military Edict", which was further broken down into more than 40 "Leading the List" projects. Weichai Group will allocate 160 million yuan to reward R&D personnel in this regard. This move will enhance Weichai's core technological competitiveness and shorten the time for product launch. It is predicted that during the project, our research and development speed will double, and after the project is completed, our output will double, "said Sun Nannan, Assistant to Weichai Power President and President of Future Technology Research Institute.
At Weichai, whoever has the ability can lead a team to unveil the list and bid to overcome technical difficulties. Engineer Zhao Hongen, who is engaged in the development of gas engines this time, successfully bid: "Once the bid is successful, it means setting a 'military order' with strict limits on development indicators and time nodes." Zhao Hongen told reporters that Weichai encourages R&D personnel to brave the 'no man's land', and the winning bidder can mobilize all available human and technical resources of the enterprise to accelerate the development progress.
At present, Weichai Power's "Three Highs" test team is vigorously conducting high-altitude tests. Engineers Bi Shigao and Gao Hongchen are leading two teams respectively in Xining and Golmud to conduct various performance tests and calibrations on two new National VI engines. The 'Three Highs' test is a key part of engine development. The test team carries out engine and supporting vehicle calibration and testing verification work in extreme environments such as high temperature, high altitude, and plateau all year round. They propose design improvement and innovative solutions to ensure the super adaptability and reliability of newly developed products. Lv Wenzhi, the leader of the' Three Highs' test team of Weichai Power Co., Ltd., told reporters that in the past decade, this test team has completed extreme environment tests for almost all series of products of the enterprise, and the products have been recognized by the market and customers.
从我国第一台拥有完全自主知识产权的高速大功率“蓝擎”动力诞生，到发布全球首款本体突破50%热效率的商业化柴油机，如今潍柴正向技术创新的高峰奋力挺进，为中国装备制造注入澎湃动力。
Information source: Economic Daily
