Weichai Group: Integrating Global Technology Resources

Core Tip: In recent years, Weichai has invested more than RMB 2 billion in R&D equipment construction, and R&D personnel have reached more than 1,000. Over the years, Weichai has actively integrated global scientific and technological resources, and through the chaining of upstream and downstream industrial chains, it has established R&D and application communities with parts suppliers. In the five years since the establishment of the R&D Community, the number of members has grown to more than 50, and has cumulatively undertaken more than 260 development projects, which has comprehensively improved the technical level and quality of engine components.

Move the plateau into the laboratory

On the morning of February 7, the reporter went to the laboratory of Weichai Technology Center. Lin Jingguo, deputy director of the Testing and Technical Office, is busy doing a trial. This test is to test the cold start performance of the WP7 new optimized matching machine. This machine has been frozen for 24 hours in the cold at a minimum temperature of minus 45 degrees Celsius. Lin Jinguo told reporters that it would also like to conduct cold start tests on relevant configurations of WP10, WD10 and WP12 models.

Lin Jinguo said that in order to test engine performance and quality, Weichai established a "three high" (plateau, high temperature, alpine) test team. The "three-high" test is harsh and dangerous. Because the test sites are often far away, the test cycle is long and costly. Therefore, in recent years, Weichai has intensified the artificial simulation of the “three-high” test environment, and has successively built cold-start test stands, heat balance test stands, and plateau movable test stands.

In front of the scientific research building, two high altitude mobile test stands are being parked on ice-covered test sites. Lin Jinguo said that the “Three High” test team moved it to the Kunlun Mountains last year and completed gantry performance tests for 29 models such as WP5 and WP12 at 2,800 meters, 3,500 meters, and 4,100 meters above sea level. The engine test task 105 times. At present, the newly established high-altitude plateau environment simulation will realize the reproduction of the plateau environment and simulate the temperature, pressure, and humidity under the plateau. Lin Jingguo said: "After the project is completed, the engine will be able to complete the main plateau test project in the factory. After the engine is equipped with the vehicle, it will be available to the plateau for vehicle verification."

The reporter could not help but be amazed: This is not the high altitude environment, tropical heat and polar cold, are "moved in" the Weichai laboratory?

Lin Jingguo still maintains the calmness and rigor as a technical expert. He said that in recent years, Weichai has invested more than 2 billion yuan in R&D equipment construction. At present, the company's test capability can support the research and testing of the Group's entire vehicle, powertrain, engine, components and various basic technologies, and its testing capability ranks in the forefront of the industry. In terms of software, the introduction of PDM, TDM, CAPP and other systems has effectively promoted the company's R&D work. In particular, through the promotion of three-dimensional design software Pro/E and simulation analysis software, the company has greatly improved the level of product development and efficiency, and reduced research and development costs.

Aiming for world-class research and development

On the afternoon of February 7, in the research and development building of Weichai Industrial Park, the reporter saw Yin Huiqiong, assistant to director of Weichai Technology Center. This astute and capable technical expert who worked for Weichai for eight years also had a title that reporters could not think of: the Secretary-General of the International Technical Innovation Alliance for the Reliability of Internal Combustion Engines.

The busy Yin Huiqiong is building a framework for the company's internal engine reliability international technology innovation alliance. She told reporters that on January 8th this year, Weichai Power Co., Ltd. launched a platform based on Shandong Province's key laboratory for reliability of internal combustion engines, and united 19 companies including the world-famous MIT, the University of Wisconsin, and the German company Bosch. The establishment of the International Technical Innovation Alliance for the Reliability of Internal Combustion Engines.

Yin Huiqiong said: "At present, Weichai has worked out a detailed research plan and objectives with the members of the Alliance in the field of reliability technology research and cooperation. It will achieve full integration of engine product reliability technology with the international level in the next three years."

Weichai established a research and development platform for the "Three Kingdoms and Seven Lands," including the United States and Europe, which enabled the reporter to see the strength and stamina of Weichai's independent innovation. In the R&D building office, the reporter encountered Wang Baojun who returned from the Baudouin project in France during the Spring Festival. The boy is 26 years old and joined Weichai after graduating from university in 2008. In 2009, Weichai acquired Baudouin in France. He followed the project team to Baudouin. He told reporters that at present, more than 80% of the Baoduan project team of Weichai is young people under the age of 30 who are full of vigor and passion. 37-year-old Li Ming, who has experience in electronic control equipment development in Delphi, USA, is now deputy director of the Electronic Control Research Institute near Weichai. He told reporters that all colleagues in the Electronic Control Center must redouble their efforts to produce world-class achievements and strengthen Weichai's international competitiveness.

Dr. Li Yunqiang, director of the Weichai Technology Center, told reporters that over the years, Weichai has actively integrated global scientific and technological resources, and through the chaining of upstream and downstream industrial chains, it has established R&D communities and application communities with parts suppliers. Among them, since the establishment of the R&D community over the past five years, the number of members has grown to more than 50, and has cumulatively undertaken more than 260 development projects, which has comprehensively improved the technical level and quality of engine components. The joint research with vehicle customers has enabled Weichai to achieve remarkable results in vehicle fuel consumption research projects, energy conservation, noise reduction and weight reduction projects.

Li Yunqiang said that Weichai R&D personnel has now reached more than 1,000 people. At the corporate science and technology innovation conference recently held, Weichai put out 25 million yuan worth of technological innovation projects and individuals. The enthusiasm and creativity of the vast number of scientific and technological personnel broke out unprecedentedly.

Breakthrough in technology application

At the research building of Weichai Industrial Park, the application engineering department is adjacent to the technical center. This department belongs to the marketing system, with the main function of technology matching research and development, and it is the bridge connecting products and markets.

In the large open-plan office area on the fourth floor, Cai Le, the person in charge of the “Lan Qing” second-generation project, is dealing with a certain type of engine fan problem. More than 40 people participated in this project. They developed a fuel filter known as the fuel water chiller that, when reducing the zero-kilometer failure rate, cooperated with the vehicle to increase the initial success rate of the entire vehicle at low temperatures. Within the project team, the 27-year-old Cai Le, in addition to coordinating all aspects of work, also participated in the development of electromagnetic constant-temperature fans, which greatly improved the energy-saving effect of the engine and saved an average of 5% or more of the fuel consumption of other fans. The fans can also be controlled at low temperatures. The water temperature quickly rises to the right temperature. Cai Le said: "The 'Blue Engine' second-generation project is an improvement and upgrading of Weichai's 'Blue-Rock' product, further enhancing the market's acceptance of Weichai products."

“At present, there are many competitors for Weichai engines, and we must constantly improve our products to give full play to the advantages of the powertrain and improve the matching of the entire vehicle,” said Xiao Qisheng, director of the Applied Engineering Department.

In the past year, Weichai used its own unique advantages to focus on the development of fuel-efficient power products and completed the batch matching of truck manufacturers Beiqi Futian, Shaanxi Heavy Duty Truck, Baotou Beiben, Dongfeng Liuqi, and Shanxi Dayun, as well as the power of construction machinery. The assembly and ship engine propeller powertrains were respectively optimized for the matching of the assembly system, and organized the “economizer-powered” Weichai line activities to further improve the fuel performance, economy and reliability of the engine and create a greater user-friendliness. The economic benefits.