Chapter 1129 Do as I say
What Champiin said was definitely not an exaggeration.
The main trunk aircraft models currently 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.
Although the Boeing 737NG is called the "next generation", it is essentially a limited improvement on the second-generation 737.
Moreover, it is not a proactive improvement.
It was because they were hit hard by the A90 in the early 320s that they had no choice but to carry out a wave of patchwork.
According to Boeing's plan, the Y2010 model of the Yellowstone project, which has the same technical level as the 787 (Y2) and a completely new design, will be launched on the market by 1 at the latest.
The 737NG is essentially a short-term transitional model.
As for the A320ceo…
CEO is the abbreviation of Current Engine Option, and it has not been properly replaced for 20 years.
Originally, if it were just two strong powers fighting each other, then under this situation, it would be possible to achieve a balance.
In other words, everyone is just putting up with it, waiting to see who can't stand it 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" competitive situation with Boeing and Airbus.
Although nominally a regional jet, the first model in the entire C Series series is a 120-130-seat model, which to a considerable extent covers the business scope of the Airbus A319.
In fact, on the original timeline, due to limited investment and lack of determination, the research and development of this C series was intermittent, and it was not until 2008 that a relatively complete plan was put forward.
But now, perhaps driven by the idea of "if China can do it, so can I", Canadians are very ambitious and act quickly.
By the beginning of 2004, the basic framework of the C series had been established.
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 the two patched-up old guys.
We actually received orders for dozens of aircraft.
Some of them even come from airlines that used to only use Airbus.
Now, Europeans can no longer sit still.
You know, it was Boeing's disregard for Airbus' development that allowed the latter to grow bigger, and now it even seems to be replacing it.
How could they possibly make the same mistake again?
Therefore, it is imperative to carry out a complete upgrade of the A320.
Once aircraft of this level are replaced, they will probably have to last another 20 to 30 years.
For an aviation engine supplier to remain invisible in the most mainstream market for such a long time is bound to bring extremely high risks.
Therefore, Bodi's expression immediately became serious:
"I will do my best to persuade the leadership to allocate resources in this direction as soon as possible..."
From a technical point of view, it is much easier to build a smaller engine after building a larger one.
But when it comes to the business level, if you don’t have enough time or money, it will be difficult to compete with competitors who have more experience.
Suddenly, the roar of an airplane engine came from far away, interrupting Bodie's thoughts.
The A340 had completed all the test tasks planned for this flight and appeared in the air towards the end of the runway.
"Speaking of which, Charles."
Bodi changed the subject:
"What is the current progress of the first prototype of the A380?"
"The fuselage will be assembled soon. Our plan is to unveil it to the world next month, ship it off the assembly line before the end of the year, and make its maiden flight early next year..."
"..."
……
at the same time.
At the Dassault Toulouse factory, a little further from the airport.
After saying goodbye to the two of them, Didier Casoré didn't have time to rest and almost immediately went to find Xiamussen Bain, the head of the production department.
The latter was currently struggling to increase the production capacity of the two new models, Rafale F2 and Falcon 8Z, and only noticed Casore's arrival when he patted his shoulders several times.
"director?"
The confusion on Bane's face had not yet disappeared.
Casore was somewhat helpless:
"I informed the headquarters last week that I would be returning home...didn't anyone inform you?"
Upon hearing this question, Bain was stunned for a moment, then he looked up at the calendar next to him:
"Uh... I've been solving a process problem on the Rafale F2 production line these days, and I might have made a mistake with the date."
As he explained, he rolled up the blueprint on the table and pushed it aside:
"I remember you said that there are new production tasks for us?"
Seeing him acting like a workaholic, Casore didn't say much, but just took a computer bag from the entourage behind him:
"Yes, it is also related to Falcon 8Z..."
He then took out his laptop and turned it on:
"It's a brand new process, and China's assembly level can't handle it, so we need to help temporarily."
Obviously, he completely believed the reasons Liang Shaoxiu had made up before.
However, Manager Bain on the other side frowned slightly, looking a little unhappy:
"The new factory is producing two new models at the same time, and the production line operation is already very tight... If the production plan is changed temporarily, it may affect the entire production plan..."
Cassore had just finished entering the power-on password and looked up to explain:
"This matter has a high priority, and the number of assembly parts is small, so the impact will not be significant."
"But boss, any new process requires a lot of testing to determine the parameters before it goes into production. This has nothing to do with production volume... In fact, a small production volume is more wasteful."
A look of confusion appeared on Bane's face.
In his opinion, although Casore had worked in the design department for many years, he should not have ignored such low-level problems.
"Most of the parameters are already determined...we just need to debug the equipment according to the actual situation."
Having said that, Cassole turned the computer screen around and pushed it in front of Bane.
Above is a complete assembly process description.
"The skin radius is 2723mm, the arc length is 300mm, the total length is 630mm, the positioning surface 1 constrains the degrees of freedom in the X, Y and Z directions, and the positioning surface 2 constrains the degrees of freedom in the x and y directions. It is divided into 25845 units in total, and the type is shell unit..."
"The specifications of the long stringer are 42.3mm*30.0mm*630mm, and the positioning point 1 constrains the two degrees of freedom of X and Z..."
In addition to the somewhat stiffly worded text instructions, an assembly model diagram and a summary table of operating parameters are also included.
In short, even if you only look at the first two pages, it doesn’t look like a “new technology” at all.
Instead, it seems like it has been researched for a while, and it is just being used for trial production...
Bain looked at Casore suspiciously:
"For such a large-scale pre-connection process... the yield rate cannot be guaranteed."
"Don't worry, just keep reading."
The latter replied:
"Besides, if it wasn't difficult, I wouldn't have come to you."
Production line management capabilities and workers' technical level have always been Bain's two strengths that it is most proud of.
Now that he was suddenly being flattered, it was a bit inconvenient for him to refute, so he had to lower his head and return his gaze to the computer screen.
“单元之间预连接顺序：11-12-13-14-15-21-22……预连接路径距离10567mm，单元1预连接点设置为13、6、20，预连接力分别为39N、44N和43N，三坐标值（90， 23， 160）；单元2……”
"..."
Bane's expression gradually became serious.
As an experienced engineer who has worked in the production line for more than 30 years, he quickly realized that this assembly process was not like in the past, where only general instructions were given and production personnel were required to adjust specific operating methods according to actual conditions. Instead, the number, location and order of connection points were determined from the beginning.
But the problem is that even different individuals of the same model may experience deviations and deformations during the production and assembly process.
Therefore, 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 able to achieve full automation for a long time.
While this model may seem to reduce the burden on the production line, it is equivalent to piling all the risks into the final assembly process.
"Manager, are you sure..."
Bain had just started talking when Cassole stopped him.
The latter actually had no idea, but there was really no better way at the moment:
"Just follow my instructions first. As for the final situation... we'll tell you after the product is offline!"
Although the two parties have similar administrative levels, when it comes to business relations, Casore, as deputy model manager, has the authority to direct the work on the production side.
Therefore, when he finally made his decision, Bain did not continue to bargain:
"Then I will call a meeting of production line engineers immediately."
"But it's better for you to explain the specific situation to everyone..."
