Chapter 60: The Laser Spot Welding Machine

“How is it, Guoyang? Can it be fixed?” Ning Xiaohong couldn’t help but ask.

Zhao Guoyang turned to glance at Ning Xiaohong. “Please don’t doubt my professionalism, Comrade Xiaohong.”

“The oil pump seal ring of this die-casting machine is broken. Just replace it with a new one and it’ll be fine. The robot supplier should have sent you some when they delivered the machine. But after so long, I suspect you’ve already thrown them out. Domestic seal rings can work too, but their lifespan…”

“Hmph, don’t underestimate us!”

Ning Xiaohong shot Zhao Guoyang a sideways look. “Wait here, I’ll go get it!”

In no time, Ning Xiaohong returned, waving two brand new seal rings in her hand.

“Wow, not bad! You still have them!” Zhao Guoyang took them and saw they were indeed original parts.

With the seal rings in hand, the problem was easily solved.

Zhao Guoyang did a final check on the pressure proportional valve coil, and after confirming there were no other issues, he gently pressed the “Start” button.

Whirr! The machine immediately let out a deep rumbling sound, running smoothly.

As he observed, Zhao Guoyang couldn’t help but praise, “Tsk, tsk, I have to admit, the quality of these island machines is really impressive. After all these years, not only do they still function perfectly, but the noise is so low.”

“It’s… really fixed!” Ning Xiaohong’s mouth hung open, disbelief written all over her face.

“Are you sure it won’t break again in a moment?”

“You’re such a jinx!”

Zhao Guoyang shot Ning Xiaohong a glance. “Can’t you say something nice? This machine is essential for my business plans!”

“Oh, business plans? What sort of plans?” Ning Xiaohong tilted her head, clearly intrigued.

“Hehe, that’s a secret.” Zhao Guoyang smiled mysteriously. The matter wasn’t settled yet, so he wouldn’t broadcast it.

“Hmph, if you won’t say, forget it. Who cares?” Ning Xiaohong pouted, disappointed that she didn’t get her answer.

Zhao Guoyang laughed at her reaction. “My, you can turn on a dime. Alright, alright, if I succeed in my venture, I promise you a surprise.”

“That’s your word, remember! You better not go back on it!” Ning Xiaohong’s face lit up with a smile.

Standing tall, Zhao Guoyang declared, “A gentleman’s word is as good as his bond!”

Looking at the energetic, handsome young man in front of her, Ning Xiaohong suddenly felt her heart flutter, her cheeks flushing red.

Zhao Guoyang changed the subject. “So, your factory doesn’t use this equipment anymore?”

Ning Xiaohong snapped back to reality, nodding instinctively. “Yes, we have a larger die-casting machine now. This one is totally unnecessary, which is why it’s been idle for so long.”

With confirmation, Zhao Guoyang felt reassured. “Excellent. When I see Director Liao later, I’ll discuss borrowing it.”

Ning Xiaohong responded, “If you ask, Master will definitely agree.”

As the two were chatting, the bell signaling the end of the workday rang.

Hearing it, Zhao Guoyang quickly said, “Let’s talk about borrowing the machine later. I have to finish welding that car frame first.”

When Zhao Guoyang and Ning Xiaohong jogged over to the laser welding machine, Director Liao was already waiting, engaged in conversation with Hua Guosheng.

Seeing the pair approach, Liao Jingsheng teased, “Xiaohong, you certainly spent a long time chatting with Section Chief Zhao, leaving these guests from Hongda Machinery unattended…”

Ning Xiaohong stole a glance at Zhao Guoyang, her ears burning red.

Yet, she was a fiery little pepper and quickly found her retort. “Master, that’s hardly fair! Section Chief Zhao and I were handling official business just now.”

“Official business? What business?” Director Liao asked.

“That imported die-casting machine—remember? Section Chief Zhao just fixed it for us!”

Liao Jingsheng was taken aback. He knew his apprentice never lied, so it had to be true.

He hurriedly shook Zhao Guoyang’s hand. “Section Chief Zhao, thank you so much.”

Zhao Guoyang responded modestly, intending to bring up the matter of borrowing the die-casting machine, but seeing Hua Guosheng, Xu Dongfeng, and Zhang Chaoyang watching expectantly, he decided to wait.

Turning around, he saw the laser welding machine was ready. He asked Hua Guosheng and the others to move the car frame into position, preparing to weld it himself.

Seeing Zhao Guoyang ready to start, Liao Jingsheng and Ning Xiaohong exchanged glances, feeling a bit anxious.

Though Zhao Guoyang claimed he knew how to operate the laser welding machine, neither of them had seen it firsthand, so their uncertainty was understandable.

Ning Xiaohong was more at ease, having witnessed Zhao Guoyang’s expertise when he fixed the die-casting machine. In her view, if he could repair such advanced equipment, the laser welding machine shouldn’t pose any trouble.

Liao Jingsheng wasn’t quite as confident. As Zhao Guoyang approached the welding machine, he couldn’t help but say, “Section Chief Zhao, perhaps you should explain your requirements to Xiaohong and let her operate it instead.”

Zhao Guoyang turned and explained, “Director Liao, this car frame is special. The spine needs particular treatment, which is hard to convey verbally. As for welding the other parts, I’ll trouble Chief Ning for help in a moment.”

Understanding Liao Jingsheng’s concerns, Zhao Guoyang reassured him, “Don’t worry, I’m quite familiar with the operation of laser welding machines.”

In the early eighties, laser spot welding machines were already widely used in developed Western countries.

The Republic started later, but by the late eighties, they’d become increasingly common, so Liao Jingsheng believed Zhao Guoyang’s claim.

A laser welding machine mainly consists of a laser generator, power control, coolant, light guidance and focusing, and binocular stereo microscopic observation.

From the outside, its structure is compact and not large; positioning uses a microscopic coordinate indicator coaxial with the laser beam, no special fixtures required; control allows presetting and adjustment of laser power, pulse frequency, and pulse width via the control panel.

Additionally, it doesn’t require filler material, welds quickly, produces reliable joints, causes minimal workpiece deformation, and yields attractive results—distinct advantages over traditional welding machines.

The working principle of a laser spot welding machine isn’t complex. It uses high-energy laser pulses to locally heat small areas of material; the radiated energy conducts internally, melting the material to create a specific molten pool, achieving fusion welding.