Chapter 596: Limitations of the Times

Chapter 596: Limitations of the Times

Chapter 596: Limitations of the Times

The next day.

The three days of National Day passed in a flash.

"Alas, these three days of vacation are not enough for rest at all."

"It's only been three days, why not five days off? I don't want to go to work."

Everyone got up early to go to work reluctantly.

"It's the beginning of the month, and I'm going to be busy again."

There's three days' worth of work to do and I have to get busy again without any rest.

workshop.

"Director Guo, this is not easy to handle. Director Yang suddenly gave us such a rush job that we can't finish it in one workshop."

“Even if we call the masters from the second and third workshops, they can’t produce so many workpieces in just a few days.”

Listening to the chattering of the workers, Guo Dapiezi shouted impatiently: "Okay, stop making noise. I'm just trying to find a solution."

Guo Dapiezi hesitated but still couldn't come up with a good solution.

"You guys do it first. I'll go talk to Director Yang. It's urgent and the quantity is so large. We can't do it with just one workshop."

Guo Dapiezi went straight to find Director Yang.

"I know this is a difficult task, but no matter how difficult it is, we must overcome it and think of a solution. If all else fails, we must pool our wisdom to complete the task."

Guo Dapiezi pulled a bitter face and said, "Director Yang, it's not that I don't want to finish it, it's just that I have no choice. The time is too tight."

"If we have a few more days, I can ask the masters to work overtime and finish the work, but this is really too rushed. I am afraid that we won't be able to finish it on time, which will affect the efficiency of the factory."

Guo Dapiezi's last sentence, which was based on the perspective of the steel rolling mill, forced Director Yang to think carefully.

Director Yang couldn't come up with a solution for a while, so he had to brainstorm.
"Go and ask the senior masters and engineers to come to my place for a meeting."

"Yes." Guo Dapiezi ran away.

"Oh, by the way, don't forget Li Kailang from the transport team."

"Ok."

Guo Dapiezi knew Li Kailai's reputation and didn't understand why an outsider was invited, but since it was Director Yang who said so, he decided to do it.

Immediately, Guo Dapiezi notified everyone one by one, and finally notified Li Kailang.

"Master Li Kailang."

Li Kailang accepted the task and was about to leave when he heard someone calling him.

"What do you want from me?"

"Director Yang wants to see you. He wants you to go to his office for a meeting."

"Okay, let's go then."

The two went straight to Director Yang's office.

A group of senior workers and engineers gathered in the office, and nodded when they saw Li Kailang coming over.

When Director Yang saw that everyone was present, he got straight to the point. "Okay, now that everyone is here, I won't waste time talking. I called everyone here this time because I want to pool our wisdom to solve the problem."

"Director Guo, please explain the situation to everyone."

"Yes." Guo Dapiezi looked at everyone and explained, "It's like this. Our factory received a large order this month."

"The task requires us to complete the production of 150 workpieces within three days. Yesterday, our workshop was fully operational, but we only produced less than pieces."

As he spoke, Guo Dapiezi distributed the finished products and drawings of this batch of workpieces to everyone one by one.

The masters and engineers from the second and third workshops took a look and confirmed that there was no problem and it was a qualified workpiece.

From this we can see that this problem should not occur in the production of the workpiece.

Everyone immediately looked at the rough drafts of the products.

According to the requirements on the drawing, this rough blank needs to go through several steps to be made into the finished workpiece required for the task.

The time required for each step varies, but it should be possible to complete it based on the manpower and capabilities of a workshop.

Director Yang said directly: "Director Guo, please get straight to the point. Which link needs your help?"

"Yes."

Other questions were brushed aside, and Guo Dapiezi was brief and to the point: "Dear masters and engineers, this batch of workpieces does not look difficult to make."

"But in fact, there are many details that need to be controlled. If one is not controlled well, it will be scrapped. Only the fourth-level and above masters can do it with confidence."

“Third-level workers can do the job, but they make too many mistakes. Eight or nine out of ten fail to meet the requirements. Now they have to finish it within two days.”

As he spoke, Guo Dapiezi held up the blueprint and looked at everyone: "I really have no other choice. I can only trouble you to see if you can think of a way to improve it."

"If it really doesn't work, we can only borrow some mid-level workers from everyone to come and help, otherwise we will definitely not be able to complete this task."

After saying that, everyone immediately understood what he meant.

The largest number of workers in the workshop are low-level workers. Even a rare workpiece can be completed as long as they have a solid foundation.

But time is tight, mistakes are many, and a large base number alone is of no use.

The master from workshops two and three looked at the senior workers from workshop one, and seeing their silence, he understood that they were also helpless.

Senior workers like Yi Zhonghai should forget about being seconded. They basically have more difficult tasks to do and will not casually work on low- and medium-level work.

"Director Guo, about this matter." The director of the second workshop hesitated to speak, but still spoke boldly.

"The time you gave is too short. There are only two days left. Your entire workshop worked hard yesterday and only managed to make 150 pieces. Even if we second our people there."

"In three days, there are only about 1000 to at most. This is not even close to the required . It's too late for you to say this."

Workshops 10 and also have tasks to do, and it is impossible to second all the mid-level workers there. At most, about can be seconded.

To be honest, adding 20 mid-level workers wouldn't make things much faster.

Director Yang said, "Now is the time to shirk responsibility. If there is no other way, just give it a try and see how much you need when the time comes."

Director Yang did not expect this matter to be so difficult. When his subordinates took the order, they did not pay attention to so many details to be deducted.

Next time there is an urgent order, I must send a master to take a look.

Li Kailang touched his chin and thought about ways to improve the situation. He had a vague feeling that there was a way that could be used to greatly improve production efficiency.

Director Yang noticed Li Kailang's strangeness and asked, "Xiao Li, what can you do?"

Everyone looked at him instantly, especially Guo Dapie, whose eyes were shining.

A group of senior workers and engineers also wanted to see what Li Kailang, a college student majoring in mechanical engineering, was capable of.

If he has real talent and skills, they will respect him when he comes to work in the workshop.

Yi Zhonghai narrowed his eyes and looked at Li Kailang, feeling very conflicted. He didn't want Li Kailang to be able to solve the problem, but he also hoped that he could.

Li Kailang nodded: "Director Guo, just looking at the drawings and the finished product, I can't see any good solution. Can you demonstrate the production process of the workpiece?"

In his opinion, the high scrap rate of workpieces is due to the complicated steps and many details, which are the result of the superposition of the two.

"Okay, okay, let's go to the workshop now and let the masters demonstrate."

Immediately, the group went to the first workshop.

"What are you looking at? Get to work."

Arriving at a workshop, Yi Zhonghai took the initiative to demonstrate, starting a series of processing from the rough blank.

Although he is an eighth-level worker, Yi Zhonghai can operate smoothly and present a perfect workpiece.

"Please allow the fourth-level and third-level workers to demonstrate once as well."

Guo Dapiezi immediately called over several third and fourth level masters and had them demonstrate in front of everyone.

Being watched by everyone, the two of them couldn't help but become extremely nervous, and they took each step very slowly for fear of making mistakes.

The fourth-level worker successfully made a workpiece that met the requirements, but the third-level worker failed to do so due to nervousness.

At this point, Li Kailang finally understood.

Unlike senior fitters, low- and middle-level fitters are not proficient in the use of all tools.

The difference between level three and level four fitters lies in their control over the process.

Perhaps because they are not aware of it, or perhaps because they want to be quick, the third-level fitter will do both steps at once.

The working mode of the steel rolling mill is that one person completes the production of a workpiece alone, which leads to a significant increase in the scrap rate. Seeing this, Li Kailang had a solution in mind.

"Director Yang, everyone, I have a rough idea."

Suddenly, Guo Dapiezi smiled happily and said, "It would be great if there is a way. As long as there is a way, let's go to the office and talk about it."

The group came to Guo Dapiezi's office.

Li Kailang didn't waste any words and directly explained the process of the "assembly line".

"The method is very simple, that is to split the process one by one, let the workers be responsible for one process each, and complete it step by step from the beginning to the end."

"This will not only improve production efficiency, but also reduce the scrap rate, and free up senior fitters in the workshop."

"Even if the job is done well, low-level workers can do it, and there is no need for mid-level workers to help."

Snapped! ! !
Everyone clapped their hands in an instant and suddenly realized: "Why didn't I think of this? Isn't this the work done in our smelting workshop and pressing workshop?"

Everyone instantly understood what to do. It wasn’t that they didn’t have a way, but they just didn’t think of the right idea. After hearing this, everyone instantly understood.

"According to what Master Li said, the production efficiency is outstanding, 300 pieces a day is enough, I will start working on it right now."

Before he could finish his words, Guo Dapiezi rushed out of the door and immediately went out to direct everyone to make adjustments.

The others nodded and agreed that this was a good idea.

But after careful consideration, the engineer did not quite agree with it.

"Master Li, the assembly line production method you mentioned is indeed good, but it is not without its drawbacks."

Li Kailang nodded: "It does have disadvantages, and they are not small. Assembly line production can only be used in emergency situations and cannot be used for a long time."

"Oh? What do you say?"

Immediately, Li Kailang pointed out the disadvantages of assembly line production one by one.

"I won't go into too much detail about the benefits. Let's just say that if we follow the assembly line production, once the workers get used to it, each person only needs to help with one process. Does the factory still need so many workers?"

"We don't need that many workers anymore. How are the fired workers going to find jobs? We can't just leave them alone. Sooner or later something bad will happen."

"Being a worker on an assembly line, doing boring actions every day will greatly discourage his enthusiasm for production, just like a machine that only works without thinking."

"Most importantly, assembly line production cannot produce high-level workers!"

The last sentence completely dispelled everyone's thoughts.

Low-level workers can be trained easily, but it is very troublesome to train high-level workers. Not all of 1000 workers can produce one high-level worker.

What's more, senior workers are also divided into levels six, seven and eight.

What steel rolling mills lack the least is low-skilled workers. Whatever can be done on the assembly line, can also be done with a huge base.

"What you said makes sense."

There is no need for Li Kailang to explain the various disadvantages, as everyone can understand them.

"It seems that this assembly line production is indeed not suitable for the general public, but it is indeed a suitable solution for now." Director Yang nodded and made a direct conclusion.

Although this method is not applicable in many places, it may be used in extraordinary times and extraordinary places.

"Xiao Li, please take some time to write me a detailed description of this assembly line production process."

"Okay." Li Kailang nodded.

Looking around, everyone was looking down, thinking.

Li Kailang said, "Now that the matter has been resolved, I have something else to do so I will leave first."

"You go ahead and do your thing. Thanks, Master Li," the engineer thanked.

Other senior workers were also thanked one by one and helped them solve the problem.

"No, it's my job. I'm leaving now." Li Kailang said politely, waved his hand and went back to do his task.

Director Yang looked around and said, "Please don't tell anyone about what Xiao Li said today, so as not to affect other factories."

"Don't worry, Director Yang. We know the seriousness of this matter and will never tell anyone even if you kill us."

"That's right. Today, just pretend that I have never been here and have never heard of you."

Everyone knows that if this matter is made public, it will easily cause instability in the city.

With so many workers having nothing to do, chaos will happen sooner or later. No matter how capable they are, they will still be affected.

On the way back to the transport team, Li Kailang couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

"Director Yang and the others really don't know about this, or they just didn't expect it, or they know about it but don't dare to say it?"

Li Kailang didn't believe that they couldn't think of this solution.

After all, this technology had already appeared in the Qin Dynasty when arrows were produced.

It’s just that this method is not used now, which is also due to the limitations of the times.

If the concept of assembly line production is promoted, it will definitely greatly increase the production capacity of many factories.

It can be used not only in steel mills, but also in textile mills, machinery factories, and pork slaughterhouses. It can be used in any factory with a large number of people.

Once assembly line production is implemented, the workers' skills will not be improved and they will not be able to pass the rating assessment.

When the time comes, you will enter the factory, forget about being promoted to a first-level worker. You will just stay as a first-level apprentice for the rest of your life, earning a salary of just over 20 years old.

Although people of this era are simple, they are not fools or idiots. Don't think you can cheat them just because they have little education.

Almost no one, especially workers, would agree to implement this production process.

"Forget it. Why think so much? How to use it is something that Director Yang should consider. Why should a driver like me worry about it?"

"The production of the assembly line has nothing to do with me as a driver. It's impossible for the assembly line to produce drivers."

"Even if so many drivers are produced, there are not enough cars for them to drive."

Li Kailang shook his head, put the matter behind him, and continued to do what he had to do.

After receiving the task, everyone started working.

When passing by Su Daqiang's village in the countryside, Li Kailang went to see him on purpose.

"Boss, why are you here? Is there something you want to do?"

Li Kailang waved his hand: "No, I just came to see how your village's autumn harvest was this year? Is your family still short of food?"

"Thank you for your concern, my family is doing well. Although the harvest this year is not very good, with the food and meat you brought us before, we can still have a good year in the next few years."

Speaking of this, Su Daqiang couldn't help but feel very proud. Working with the right person, he would never have to worry about food and drink.

Looking at other people in the village sighing, his family could still eat some meat from time to time and still be full. It was hard to describe how comfortable their life was.

Li Kailang nodded: "It's good to have a prosperous year. I'll get you some more when I have time, and you can share it with them."

"Thank you, boss."

Then he changed the subject: "What are your plans next? Do you plan to continue digging or wait until next year?"

Su Daqiang pondered for a while and said, "I don't have any plans now. Winter is coming soon and it's hard to dig once the soil is frozen. Everyone wants to wait until next year."

"But, but if the owner wants to dig it up, I will call them immediately."

"That's not necessary, I'm just asking." Li Kailang waved his hand: "Since you want to rest, then rest. I'm not in a hurry for these few months."

"If you guys are too idle to dig, I'll still pay for it according to the old rules. That's all."

After saying that, Li Kailang left.

Su Daqiang watched Li Kailang leave.

"Does the boss want it or not? Let's discuss this."

The grave-digging team gathered together, and Su Daqiang told them about Li Kailang.

"We are following the right boss. Which boss would treat us like this, giving us both food and meat?"

"Since the boss wants it, we'll dig. But it's cold now, so it's hard to dig deep. How about we dig shallow?"

"That's great. Let's do as you say. We have nothing to do anyway, so why not do some digging before winter comes?"

"Brother Daqiang, please take a closer look, so we don't waste time looking for it earlier. We can start digging directly when the weather warms up next spring!"

"Yes, that's it."

Several people quickly reached a consensus.

(End of this chapter)