Free Web NovelChapter 853: Chapter 448: Graduate Entrance Exam, Let’s Struggle Together!_1
No matter the design, faults in the initial prototypes are inevitable; even the best designs are merely theoretical. The transition from theory to reality is influenced by many factors.
For the Turbofan Engine, the performance matching of various components, the control system, and even the engine’s stability are all areas where problems are bound to arise. The factors influencing faults are not limited to design issues; the gap between manufacturing technology and the final product compared to the design often poses a greater problem than the design itself.
Once the prototype is produced, the next step is to enter a continuous process of troubleshooting and repairing faults.
This is similar to software programming.
First, a bunch of code is written; debugging reveals a heap of bugs, which require numerous fixes before the software can run properly. Even then, the desired results may not be achieved, necessitating further and repeated fixes. Even after release to the market, constant updates and troubleshooting are needed.
The Kunlun engine has just passed the operational phase, where numerous issues have cropped up, and the Kunlun engine team is continually addressing these problems, each one complex in its resolution.
The Kunlun Group Two has only just entered the stage of design acceptance; future prototypes will certainly require fault remediation.
"Faults will definitely be plentiful!"
Zhang Gangchuan thought.
It wasn’t that he felt schadenfreude, but rather a realistic judgment. However, the ’abundance of faults’ did significantly soothe his mood. Frankly speaking, the establishment of Kunlun Group Two was embarrassing for the Kunlun engine team, especially since Group Two had achieved results.
The few new technologies and designs proposed by Zhao Yi were indeed impressive. The overall design modifications to the Kunlun engine were substantial; one could say it was altered from the inside out, with everything changed except the main shaft. Due to the redesign of the compressor casing, even the shape had changed.
Where then, could one see the shadow of the original Kunlun engine in such a prototype? ƒrēewebnovel.com
It was entirely a new Turbofan Engine.
What’s more critical, Group Two developed its design in an incredibly short time; their total development period didn’t even amount to a fraction of what the Kunlun engine team spent over several years. If the prototype they produced had few issues, the years of work by the Kunlun engine team might become a laughing stock, and they could even consider disbanding early.
This was the source of Zhang Gangchuan’s frustration.
Although he wasn’t the sole leader of the Kunlun engine’s design and only took charge in the later years, he had been involved throughout its development. When discussing the Kunlun engine domestically, his name was known. Seeing the work of his team become a joke was indeed frustrating.
Moreover, several years, a decade, or even more than twenty years of effort could be completely surpassed by another group in just a few months...
Zhang Gangchuan felt an urge to retire early just thinking about it!
What was the point in continuing?
The new waves of the Yangtze River drive on those ahead; it was time for the old waves to retire!
...
The conference room presentation had ended.
Zhao Yi and the other members of Kunlun Group Two gave only a brief introduction to the new designs and modifications, but it was enough to inform the review group that Group Two had many new designs and had made extensive modifications to the internal and external aspects of the Kunlun engine. Their design was completely different—a totally new concept.
That was sufficient.
The review group couldn’t realistically become an acceptance group; they lacked the number of elite experts needed and couldn’t decide which fighter jets Group Two would target. They would have to go back and carefully study the matter.
Firstly, they needed to confirm the design issues.
Even though Zhao Yi and the others from Group Two explained the new design and modifications, it was merely a brief overview, almost like stating the conclusions directly. Understanding the design is necessary for acceptance—to ensure the design is correct before proceeding to the verification of manufacturing the prototype. After all, the decision to make a prototype isn’t taken lightly, with cost considerations being paramount.
Prototypes are built with money.
The first prototype of the Kunlun engine cost at least 300 million RMB to manufacture, with the bulk of the expense lying in manufacturing since all parts were newly designed and not mass-produced. New molds had to be prepared for manufacturing, and highly technical components required meticulous discussion of the manufacturing process, naturally driving up the costs and time consumption.
Subsequent prototypes, the second and third, had slightly lower costs, around 200 million RMB each. Unless mass production was decided upon, manufacturing costs would remain high.
The design and manufacturing costs for Kunlun Group Two were even higher. First off, the materials alone constituted a huge expense. With a rhenium content exceeding six percent, the resulting turbine blades made from material K03B were expensive due to the higher temperatures and pressures they had to withstand, necessitating superior materials. The cost of materials for the engine was more than three times higher than for the Kunlun engine.
Additionally, Group Two’s design required higher technology levels, with some components being more complex and difficult to produce, thus incurring higher costs.
After Group Two’s brief introduction of their design, those in the know had an estimate in mind. To produce a prototype based on Group Two’s design, the first unit could perhaps cost over 500 million RMB.
That was just for the first one.
If one considers the subsequent debugging issues, it was certain that a second and third prototype would be manufactured. Everything going smoothly, at least ten billion would need to be spent.
