Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 567 Creusot 400 Press, Soviet-Khalchin River Air Battle
Fang Wen walked into the factory.

The beams of light shining through the skylights in the factory shone on the fine dust particles floating in the air.

And where the light shines is today's main subject: the Creusot 400 stamping press.

It was a giant four-column stamping press, its body covered with a complex structure of gears, pipes and rivets.

The lifting equipment is suspended from the top, with chains with hooks hanging down from the machine, and a somewhat blurry metal nameplate is visible on the front of the machine.

Looking at the device, Fang Wen couldn't wait to turn it on and use his mechanical senses to understand its internal structure and operation.

Le Maire, the technical engineer in charge of the transaction, explained: "This is the Creusot 400, a hydraulic assisted stamping press. Hydraulic stamping presses are a new technology, and currently only Siemens Schückert and Bethlehem Steel in the United States have this technology. We developed this stamping press by imitating Bethlehem Steel's technology."

Fang Wen asked in surprise, "Then why didn't you continue using it?"

Le Maire explained, "Hydraulic presses use a hydraulic piston pump to provide pressure, which is then directly driven by a hydraulic cylinder to create a press slide. This allows for 'slow pressing,' making them suitable for forming complex curved parts. However..."

Le Maire glanced at DuPont instinctively, considering whether or not to reveal the truth.

DuPont nodded, and then he continued.

"Its power efficiency is low and its energy consumption is too high."

After hearing his explanation, Fang Wen understood why the Creusot400 was idle.

This thing is very primitive compared to the hydraulic presses of the future.

Furthermore, it was Schneider Electric's first-generation hydraulic press, which inherently had many problems.

The first major problem is: low power efficiency and excessive energy consumption.

During operation, hydraulic pumps generate enormous pressure, causing a large amount of energy to be lost and wasted as heat, which also significantly increases the machine temperature, necessitating water cooling to lower the temperature.

There is a significant delay (about 1-2 seconds) between the motor-driven hydraulic pump and the hydraulic cylinder output pressure, which makes it impossible to achieve the "instantaneous burst force" of the mechanical stamping press, resulting in a stamping speed that is much lower than that of mechanical transmission models.

Its working efficiency is only 1-5 times per minute, while a mechanical stamping machine of the same tonnage can reach 10-20 times.

It also requires a large amount of electrical energy, and needs to continuously run a high-power motor to maintain system pressure. Even when the machine is stopped, it needs to maintain low-pressure circulation. The energy consumption per unit workpiece is 2-3 times that of a mechanical stamping machine, which is extremely unfriendly to areas with unstable industrial power grids.

The second problem is: poor precision control and insufficient stability.

Because it is a 'slow pressing' molding method, it requires workers to be very skilled in operation, otherwise pressure fluctuations will occur, resulting in a deviation of ±5%-10% in the actual stamping pressure.

When processing thick steel plates or high-strength materials, it is easy to encounter "under-pressure" (workpiece not formed) or "over-pressure" (mold damage).

Low positioning accuracy: The movement accuracy of the hydraulic cylinder piston is affected by the wear of the seals and the change of oil temperature. The error of the end position of the slide block can reach ±1-2 mm, while that of the mechanical stamping machine is only ±0.1-0.5 mm. Therefore, it cannot meet the processing requirements of precision parts (such as shell bodies and aircraft skins).

Simply put, this is just an experimental machine. Not only is it energy-intensive and costly to maintain, but it is also difficult to operate and cannot be mass-produced.

That's why it was sealed and no longer used.

Fang Wen's excitement gradually cooled after hearing these explanations.

He was particularly disappointed when Le Maire said that it couldn't be used to press projectile bodies and aircraft skin.

The point of buying a stamping press is to be able to produce missile bodies and aircraft skins on your own. If you can't even do that, what's the point of buying it?

But he also realized that what the other party said wasn't absolute, but rather that the operation would be very difficult.

Therefore, Fang Wen decided to see for himself how the equipment was operating.

He said, "Can we turn it on and run it? I'll pay for the startup and stamping process."

“Okay.” DuPont nodded and told Le Maire to go find someone.

Half an hour later.

Le Maire arrived with a team of skilled workers.

He explained, "These are people who have used the Creusot 400 stamping machine before. I had them start operating according to their previous work procedures."

Fang Wen nodded, watching intently.

The workers connected the power supply and started the hydraulic system.

This process is a bit slow.

After a while, the equipment was started, and they brought out stamped parts to begin the demonstration.

After the first stamping machine demonstration was completed, Fang Wen spoke up: "I would like to participate in the stamping manufacturing process, is that alright?"

DuPont was stunned, never expecting that the wealthy Eastern tycoon who owned Taishan Airlines would want to operate the machine himself.

"Of course you can, but I suggest you operate the hydraulic pump controller without touching the stamped parts."

Fang Wen agreed, and after exchanging words with the workers, he began.

Fang Wen walked to the hydraulic pump controller. The edges of the metal control panel were slightly rusty due to a lack of maintenance over a long period of time.

Several brass knobs are engraved with pressure scales (0-400 tons), and the pointer of the pressure gauge next to them is still trembling slightly.

"The left knob adjusts the pressure, the right knob controls the slider's travel. Step on the pedal to start, and release it to stop." The old worker reminded him in French with a heavy local accent, his large, calloused hands lightly pressing the knob twice. "This machine is temperamental; it tends to 'breathe' when the pressure exceeds 300 tons."

Fang Wen nodded, temporarily refraining from activating the mechanical sensing mechanism. Instead, he turned the left knob to the "200 tons" mark according to the stamping requirements.

He didn't immediately press the pedal, but instead stared at the pressure gauge—the pointer was oscillating slightly between 180 and 210 tons, just as Le Maire had said, indicating poor pressure stability.

"Should we wait for the pointer to stabilize?" he asked.

Le Maire shook his head: "You can't wait. The hydraulic oil 'runs' in the pipes, so you have to operate it by feel."

Fang Wen suddenly laughed. This scene reminded him of when he was repairing aircraft engines in his early years. When dealing with those outdated throttle valves, the mechanics from Boeing said the same thing: precision instruments rely on data, but old tools rely on "feel".

He pressed the pedal hard, activating the mechanical sensor at the same time.

Instantly, he connected with the device.

The hydraulic column on the right slowly descended, and when the slider was still 10 centimeters away from the workpiece, he keenly caught a slight upward movement of the pressure gauge pointer and released the pedal almost simultaneously.

A muffled thud.

Workers stepped forward to unload the stamped parts—a 3-millimeter-thick steel plate was pressed out to form the shell body component.

The old worker measured it with calipers, then suddenly frowned: "The error... less than 0.8 millimeters?"

Le Maire strode forward, and his pupils constricted slightly after he personally reviewed the document.

When the workers were operating the machine, the error was at least 1.5 millimeters under the same 200-ton pressure, which is the best level this machine can achieve.

"Try again, 300 tons." Fang Wen's voice carried a hint of excitement, and his fingers turned the knob faster.

During the second press, he deliberately waited until the pressure gauge needle dipped to its lowest point before stepping on the pedal. At the instant the slider touched the workpiece, he suddenly turned the pressure knob back 5 degrees. The pressure gauge needle, as if held down by an invisible hand, remained steady at the 300-ton mark for half a second. This time, the workpiece was an arc-shaped blank for the middle section of a projectile. After measuring the gap with a feeler gauge, Le Maire suddenly gave Fang Wen a thumbs-up: "You've found its 'heartbeat'!"

Fang Wen remained silent, still savoring the process.

As Le Maire said, it is very difficult to operate and has its own rules. You must master these rules in order to control it well.

Clearly, Schneider Electric, the company that manufactured it, failed to discover the pattern and thus abandoned it.

DuPont, who was watching from the side, was also very surprised. It turned out that this wealthy man from the East was really talented in mechanics.

"One last time, 400 tons?" he suddenly asked, his tone tentative.

Fang Wen glanced at the thickest main oil pipe. There was an almost invisible scratch on the pipe wall, which was a fatigue mark caused by long-term high pressure. This machine is said to have a pressure limit of 400 tons, but to actually reach that pressure, the equipment material needs to be replaced.

He plans to go back and personally make replacement parts to improve the performance of the equipment.

He shook his head and turned the knob back: "No need. I'll take this device. But the price needs to be lowered, since its applicability is not very wide, and I would be losing out at the previous price."

DuPont smiled and said, "I have a better suggestion. The total value of the transaction remains the same, but you can buy more equipment. What do you think?"

Fang Wen nodded: "That's fine, then let's go take a look at the other equipment."

They then left the factory while still talking.

Only the group of workers remained, talking and reflecting on Fang Wen's actions. How could those seemingly ordinary operations achieve such much better results than theirs?
Inside the Le Quesso factory, Fang Wen toured the facilities accompanied by DuPont.

Despite what has happened here, it still operates smoothly.

French tank armor, as well as skins for other aircraft manufacturing plants, and various weapons and ammunition are all produced here.

Fang Wen also looked at the Creusot 800 mechanical stamping press.

That's a huge machine; in a massive factory, dozens of workers operate it to stamp tank parts into shape.

Unfortunately, this thing is a national treasure of this era, and it is impossible to buy it.

Fang Wen could only regretfully make a large purchase of other equipment.

Schneider Electric, which was in crisis, did not refuse to sell its idle production capacity equipment, which brought an opportunity to Fang Wen.

Therefore, he decided to use part of the loan funds from the US consortium for this purchase.

Band saws (for cutting steel and pipes), oxy-acetylene cutting tools, straightening machines (for straightening bent steel pipes or plates to ensure processing accuracy), cupola furnaces (for melting cast iron and cast steel), box-type heat treatment furnaces (for annealing and quenching the cast projectile casing to enhance hardness and toughness and prevent breakage during launch), steel pipe rolling mills and steam hammers (equipment for processing pipes/bills), tapping machines (for machining the internal threads at both ends of the projectile body for connection to the projectile and tail fins), etc.
Some of these devices can be used directly for rocket production, while others need to be transported back and modified. The surplus devices are used to fill the production capacity gaps in other factories.

Adding them all together, the total value actually increased to the equivalent of $200 million, instead of decreasing due to Creusot 400.

Two million dollars is a considerable sum in this era.

DuPont, with a broad smile, reached a procurement agreement with Fang Wen.

Of course, this is just an intention; a contract is needed for the actual purchase, and the details of the contract need to be further discussed by the people at Taishan Airlines headquarters.

Therefore, Fang sent a telegram to Yangon.

At the headquarters of Taishan Airlines in Yangon, senior executives held an emergency meeting to discuss the matter after receiving Fang Wen's telegram.

This transaction is of great significance, equivalent to more than half a year's revenue from Taishan Airlines' non-military business.

Given that Schneider Electric and Taishan Airlines had no prior business dealings, measures needed to be taken to ensure the delivery of goods.

To this end, Liu, the head of the finance department at headquarters, personally led a negotiation team of five people from various departments of the company, and traveled to Paris on the company's own plane.

Upon arriving in Paris, they immediately began their work.

First, he brought along a professional lawyer hired by the Paris branch to discuss and draft a contract with Schneider Electric.

The contract text was finalized, and the time and place of performance were determined.

As required, Schneider Electric needs to transport the goods to the port of Marseille for loading and delivery to Yangon, but it must be transported by a cargo ship operated by Taishan International.

Taishan Airlines requires a 10% deposit to cover initial shipping and unloading costs.

It also states that "a penalty of 0.5% of the contract amount will be paid for each day of delay", and that a delay of more than 30 days will be considered a "fundamental breach", in which case the buyer has the right to terminate the contract and claim compensation.

And “the payment will be made in multiple installments. If equipment problems occur during the period, Schneider Electric will be required to assist in the repair of the equipment.”

The installment period will be 3 years, which Schneider Electric finds acceptable.

The last point is the transfer of corresponding supporting technologies.

The contract requires the French side to send technical personnel to Asia to assist in the installation and training of Taishan Military Industry's employees on how to properly use the equipment.

Taishan Airlines will be responsible for the wages and living expenses of the dispatched personnel during their stay.

Schneider Electric agreed to this.

The main goal was to exchange a batch of old equipment for $200 million, which would be a very profitable deal for them, and they were eager to close the deal.

April 21. Meeting room at the Four Seasons Hotel Paris.

Signing ceremony.

On either side of the long conference table, Taishan Airlines' negotiation team was on the left, and Schneider Electric's representatives were on the right.

At the front of the conference table, Fang Wen and DuPont signed the agreement one after the other and affixed their respective company seals.

The Paris notary public notarized and filed the contract.

After completing these steps, Fang Wen shook hands with DuPont, signifying the successful signing of the contract.

Afterwards, both sides left the meeting room together and had a meal at the Four Seasons Hotel restaurant to celebrate the successful completion of the deal.

At the dinner table, DuPont raised his wine glass to clink with Fang Wen's, and said meaningfully, "I know what you're going to use these devices for."

"Oh, what do you know?" Fang Wen asked calmly.

“Rockets. You’re preparing for mass production of rockets,” DuPont replied.

Fang Wen's heart tightened, but he remained calm on the surface: "We haven't announced our rocket development to the public. How did you find out?"

DuPont smiled and explained the situation: "It came from the Japanese. You may not know, but just yesterday, in a place called the Khalchin River in the northern border region of your country, the Soviet Air Force used air-to-ground rockets to fire at Japanese warplanes, directly shooting down two aircraft. The Japanese have become interested in rockets because of this, and they have inquired about rocket technology with our company through diplomatic channels, revealing that you are developing and producing rockets."

So that's how it is. Taishan Military Industry has been working on the rocket project for some time now, so it's understandable that the Japanese intelligence agency discovered some of the information.

But yesterday, the Soviet Air Force took the lead in using air-to-ground rockets in group operations, which made Fang Wen feel a surge of excitement.

He wanted to contact the Soviet aerodynamics research institute by telegram to learn more about the air battle.

(End of this chapter)