The cost-optimized design was finalized, and the drawings were sent to the workshop. Unlike the methodical atmosphere of producing large industrial parts in the past, this time the production line was filled with a strange mix of tension, anticipation, and a touch of uncertainty. Every worker involved knew that they were not building cold, hard targets, but rather the hope for the survival of the Hongxing Factory.
The temporary production area designated in the machining workshop was brightly lit. Experienced workers, wearing reading glasses, carefully checked every "slimmed-down" dimension on the blueprints, operating lathes and milling machines with meticulous care as they processed parts made with limited materials but demanding requirements. Younger workers followed alongside, learning how to achieve the process requirements more economically; their eyes shone with a different kind of brilliance, ignited by a specific goal.
The threshing machine shell blanks, cast using the new formula and delivered from the foundry, had a slightly uneven color characteristic of recycled materials. However, after cleaning and inspection, the strength and hardness of the key parts met the requirements. Master Wang Jianguo personally supervised the "tooling grinding" of the water pump valve seats. Watching the young workers easily grind each valve seat to a mirror-like finish with the help of the bench drill, a rare, almost imperceptible hint of satisfaction appeared on his tense face.
Zhang Shulan moved like a vigilant mother leopard between the various production processes. She held a checklist, checking each finished part and repeatedly inspecting key dimensions with calipers to ensure no deviation from the optimized design. Any tiny flaw—even a burr on the casing that didn't affect usability—would require rework. She knew that costs could be reduced, but the bottom line for quality could never be compromised.
The final assembly area was spotless. When all the qualified parts were delivered here in their respective categories, almost all the core members of the project team were present. Liu Li, Fu Jingchen, Zhao Qiang, Sun Mei, and several experienced assemblers all gathered around.
Without any rousing rhetoric, Liu Li simply rolled up her sleeves, took a deep breath, and said, "Let's begin."
The first hand-cranked corn thresher, manufactured entirely according to the cost reduction plan, began its assembly.
Liu Li personally took charge, skillfully fixing the cast housing onto the simple assembly frame and installing the bearing housing. Fu Jingchen watched from the side, checking the blueprints to confirm the gear transmission clearance. Zhang Shulan handed over fasteners purchased according to the new standards, and the experienced workers used torque wrenches to tighten each bolt one by one in the prescribed order and torque.
When the roller with the optimized spiral spikes was installed in place, and finally the crank handle and feed hopper were attached, a threshing machine with its original cast iron color, without any fancy decorations, but exuding a solid and powerful aura, was presented to everyone.
Next came the assembly of the improved household hand pump.
The core pump body features a new sealing structure and a tool-ground valve seat, paired with a high-precision piston rod. Assembly proceeded exceptionally smoothly, with stringent component quality control ensuring seamless assembly. Once the last outlet connector was tightened, this pump, which appeared more streamlined than other products on the market and had perfectly fitted interfaces, stood quietly on the workbench.
“Test.” Liu Li’s voice carried a hint of barely perceptible tension.
The threshing machine was moved to the testing area and filled with dried, golden-yellow corn cobs. An experienced operator held the crank handle and slowly turned it.
At first, it was a little awkward, but soon the gears meshed smoothly, emitting a uniform, low "humming" sound, no longer the harsh noise of samples on the market. Corn kernels poured out of the discharge port efficiently and evenly, like golden raindrops, with almost no broken particles visible. The whole process was stable and smooth.
Everyone's eyes were glued to the machine until the entire basket of corn cobs was threshed, and the machine continued to run smoothly.
Next is the water pump. After connecting the simulated well casing, manual pressurization begins.
One press, two presses… From the very beginning, the pump felt smoother and required less effort than other products on the market. Once pressurized to a certain level, water began to flow steadily from the outlet. The workers responsible for testing pumped it hundreds of times; the pump ran smoothly, and there wasn't a single leak at any of the joints or seals!
The scene was completely silent, with only the sounds of the water pump piston moving and the water flowing.
Then,
"It's done!"
Someone let out a low growl first, followed by a sudden burst of suppressed cheers and applause! Zhao Qiang pumped his fist, Sun Mei excitedly covered her mouth, and the young technician, Xiao Zhou, jumped up excitedly. Even the usually composed Fu Jingchen pushed up his glasses, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
Zhang Shulan looked at the two prototypes, which embodied countless efforts and wisdom of the project team, and her eyes reddened slightly. Master Wang Jianguo walked around the prototypes twice with his hands behind his back, carefully listening to the sound of them running. He then touched the seals of the water pump to make sure they were dry, and finally let out a "hmm" through his nose. Although he didn't speak, his slightly raised chin was the best affirmation.
Liu Li stood in the center of the crowd, without cheering. She simply reached out and gently stroked the sturdy, warm shell of the threshing machine, feeling the steady vibrations as it operated. She then glanced at the leak-proof water pump. A tremendous surge of emotion, a mixture of accomplishment, relief, and hope, rushed through her chest, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.
The first prototype was more than just two machines. It was a compass for Hongxing Factory to forge a path to survival in dire straits, a product of the successful integration of traditional industrial heritage with market demands, and, more importantly, proof of the indomitable vitality that the entire factory displayed in the face of adversity!
It stood there quietly, unadorned, yet it seemed to be proclaiming to everyone: Red Star Factory can still fight!
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