"This is our latest design with a segmented design to reduce the pressure on manufacturing."

Geng Bo pointed to the drawings and said to Zhang Xingyang.

A roller-type space platform that is expected to have a triple ring.

They are concentric circles that rotate coaxically and co-spinning.

"The most important keel will be made of titanium alloy to ensure the joint stiffness of the entire platform."

Unlike all current space artifacts.

Drum space platforms, similar to ships, have the concept of keel.

It's all about strengthening yourself.

The keel of the ship allows it to withstand the strong wind and waves on the sea.

The keel of the roller-type space platform is to prevent all kinds of impact objects in space.

Including, various meteorites, fragments of space satellites, and much more.

Prevent the starport from shattering under these violent impacts.

"According to calculations, just the laying of the keel requires the consumption of at least 1,000 tons of titanium alloy."

"That's because our keel is relatively slim."

The keel of the drum space platform is only a dozen centimeters in diameter, but the length of hundreds of kilometers still adds its mass to a terrifying degree.

Geng Bo said with some concern, "The cost of this project is far greater than we imagined. ”

"The materials alone, and the cost of launching the rocket, could have taken our entire budget for years to come."

At present, in the material market, the price of high-strength titanium alloy continues to rise, and the price of one kilogram can be sold for more than 300 yuan.

The price of 1,000 tons is around 300 million.

If only that's the case, the Institute itself would be able to afford it.

In comparison, the cost of rocket launch is a bigger expense.

The institute has developed the most powerful rocket at present, capable of transporting hundreds of tons of mass objects to low earth orbit at a time.

The carrying capacity of geostationary orbit is only 48 tons.

A 1,000-ton titanium keel would require more than 20 launches to complete.

The cost of a single launch is around 120 million.

Just launching a titanium alloy with a mass of 1,000 tons into a synchronous orbit will cost more than 2.5 billion yuan.

And that's not counting all sorts of other expenses.

The Institute's annual financial allocation is only a few hundred million, and there are a large number of other projects to be carried out, and it is impossible to spend all the money on this project.

Even if there are other areas of funding.

However, the funds coming in are far from keeping up with the speed of spending.

"In terms of money, you don't have to worry about it for the time being, I'll figure it out."

Zhang Xingyang supported his chin with one hand and said softly.

"Are there any current difficulties in terms of structural design?"

Geng Bo shook his head, "There are not too many difficulties in the main structure for the time being, and we can barely solve them now." ”

"In fact, there will be no difficulty in such a plan."

The main structure of the drum space platform is actually similar to a completely flat umbrella.

In the middle is an extremely strong spindle.

It is surrounded by sixteen radial keels.

"According to our thinking, the difficulty is in the manufacturing production, component launching, and parts assembly."

Geng Bo said, leaning on the drawings.

"The flatness requirements of these super-large components are too high, and the keel hundreds of meters long cannot be deformed by more than 1/100,000."

"Even if we have made a lot of progress in forging technology, it is estimated that we will not be able to make it."

These super-large keels, Geng Bo was able to think of a production unit.

There are only two large shipyards in China that can manufacture 10,000-ton giant ships.

They are the only ones who have the 100,000-ton forging press to forge these super-large keels.

"What if you take a segmented keel and dock in space?" Zhang Xingyang also frowned.

Geng Bo turned on his computer and showed the main design model with a segmented design, "This is the mechanical analysis we do. ”

"If a segmented keel is used, then when the space platform is impacted, the entire main platform will shake violently."

"It's going to have a very bad impact on the inside."

"So we just gave up on the segmented keel."

Geng Bo said this, and the words changed: "But if we can develop a technology that can be welded in space, then maybe a segmented keel can also be used." ”

Geng Bo's segmented keel uses rigid connections.

It is fixed by the mortise and tenon mechanism between the keels, as well as bolts, etc.

In everyday life, this connection is solid.

But in the space platform, it is obviously not enough to see.

Because many of the equipment in the space platform are very expensive, not to mention violent shocks.

Even the slightest shaking can have serious adverse consequences.

"The development of space welding technology is not very difficult." Zhang Xingyang also thought along Geng Bo's thoughts.

"But it's not realistic, we can't use all the precious astronauts as welders."

"Unless we can continue to develop autonomous welding robots."

"Let them do the welding work in space on their own."

Although it is said that the selection of astronauts in the following batches has been launched in China.

But astronauts are still a small group of people who can do the job.

This proportion is even higher than the difficulty of being awarded a first-class meritorious service.

"Brother, that's why you think these two techniques are simple." The corners of Geng Bo's mouth rose slightly and said.

"Space welding technology is good to say, we have the foundation of vacuum welding before, and now we just need to improve it for the space environment."

In a general sense, vacuum welding refers to the welding environment in a vacuum state, such as a vacuum chamber.

Through electron beam, high-frequency electromagnetic field, arc, laser, plasma arc and other means, the material is heated to achieve the purpose of welding.

These technologies have been in contact and developed in China since twenty or thirty years ago.

It's not too new.

"But space welding robots, that's too difficult."

When Geng Bo was on the ship with an anti-aircraft missile before, he had a lot of dealings with warships and knew more things.

"Large ships, until now, have relied heavily on welders."

"Robot welding is more of an auxiliary, and the welding effect is not ideal."

A robotic arm is more stable than a human arm.

But in other ways, it's hard to compare to humans.

This is especially true in some complex welding areas.

Zhang Xingyang clasped his hands on his chest, "Then you think it is thousands of meters long, and the integrated forging keel is simpler and easier to do." ”

"Well, that's not really."

Geng Bo scratched the top of his head, where his hair was getting thinner, a little embarrassed.

Then he threw himself into the couch in his office, almost in a ball.

"To be honest, I don't feel like I'm going to be able to do either of these two techniques."

Zhang Xingyang walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked out at the sunshine.

"Then let's contact a few powerful domestic manufacturers first."

"After looking at their strength, we can determine which path to take."

It is impossible for them to open a separate welding equipment factory or forging factory for Xinggang.

It is only possible to rely on the existing large domestic enterprises, and then carry out the corresponding technological improvements.

"Well, now it looks like that's the only way to do it."

Geng Boqiang cheered up, sat up straight and said.

"I'll go to Jiangnan Shipyard tomorrow, and their technical strength should be able to make a keel that meets our requirements."

After the matter was discussed, Zhang Xingyang was also ready to leave.

If Geng Bo hadn't asked him to come this time, he would probably still be thinking about the thorium-based molten salt reactor.

"By the way, my son was born just last week."

Just as Zhang Xingyang turned around, Geng Bo raised his eyebrows and said in a brisk tone.

"Would you like to see it?"

Zhang Xingyang, who had already walked to the door, stopped.

"My brother and sister were born so soon?"

Geng Bo's wife's pregnancy was known a few months ago.

I just don't know that the due date is this time.

Geng Bo pulled out his newly purchased mobile phone and pointed to the swaddled baby wrapped in the screen with a smile on his face.

"This is my son, how's that!"

"Look good!"

Zhang Xingyang looked down at his phone.

At first glance, it doesn't look good.

The eyes were not yet open, and the skin all over the body was wrinkled and exuding a strange light purple color.

However, this is also the first time Zhang Xingyang has seen a real baby.

In the future, most babies will come from artificial wombs.

Children like this are very rare.

Zhang Xingyang himself is from an artificial womb and has no parents at all.

He also doesn't know whether this is good-looking or not-looking according to the current aesthetic.

"It's not bad, but I don't know if it will grow like you in the future."

When Geng Bo was young, he was still a talent.

It's just that after getting married, he quickly stepped into the category of mellow middle age.

"What the hell is this!"

Geng Bo said a little teasingly, "You don't understand, this is the nourishment of love!" ”

"You single dog!"

Zhang Xingyang was a little speechless.

He really didn't understand, and he couldn't refute Geng Bo's ridicule.

Unless he can find a girlfriend.

But he doesn't care, and he doesn't feel bad alone.

"It's good if you're happy."

"Did you choose a name for your child?" Zhang Xingyang asked.

Geng Bo looked at the villain on his phone with loving eyes, "The big name hasn't been taken yet, but the nickname has already been taken." ”

"It's called Guoguo."

"Not bad, right?"

Although he felt that this nickname was weird, Zhang Xingyang still praised: "It's quite good." ”

——

A few days later, the reception room of the Jiangnan Shipyard.

"Mr. Geng, our forging technology is second to none in China, if we can't satisfy you, then no one can satisfy you."

The vice president in charge of reception greeted Geng Bo very warmly.

Jiangnan Factory, in fact, has a deep connection with the research institute.

Prior to this, several ocean-going survey ships used by the institute were all built by the Jiangnan factory.

Before this, the vice president heard some rumors.

It is said that it is a research institute, and there will be a large order to be handed over to a domestic manufacturer with strong forging strength.

"Mr. Yuan, I won't say more nonsense, we have higher requirements this time."

Geng Bo's right hand kept turning the disposable cup, and the green tea leaves in it slowly fluttered.

"So I want to know about your forging strength first."

Vice President Yuan smiled and said, "To tell you the truth, apart from us, there are very few factories in China that can process super-large forgings. ”

"Forty years ago, we had the first 10,000-ton hydraulic press in China."

"Our current 60,000-ton die forging press is also the most advanced and the most powerful processing capacity in China."

The equipment of Jiangnan factory, not to mention in China, is also in the world, and it is also a first-class level.

Not to mention, after so many years, they still have an extremely large number of skilled workers.

Skilled workers, in the field of heavy industry, are far more important than in other industries.

Geng Bo stopped and turned the cup in his hand, "Okay, let's tell us what we want." ”

Vice President Yuan was still smiling, and he didn't take Geng Bo's request into account at all.

In his heart, their Jiangnan Factory meets the forging requirements of the research institute, and it is not easy to catch.

The institute is not going to build large ships, at most it is to build a few ocean-going survey ships.

Although I don't know why the other party would make special requests for forging.

But over the years, they have not seen all kinds of strange requirements.

"THE FORGING PARTS WE WANT TO PROCESS ARE 450 METERS LONG, 15 CENTIMETERS IN DIAMETER, AND THE FLATNESS IS REQUIRED TO BE WITHIN 5 MM."

"The material is titanium."

After Geng Bo finished speaking, he looked at each other expectantly.

If the Jiangnan plant can really meet their requirements, it will be the best.

He doesn't have to think about welding anymore.

The smile on Vice President Yuan's face seemed to freeze.

The 450-metre-long forged piece was a real surprise to him.

Modern ships, with a length of 450 meters, are also already super-large ships.

At this time, the largest sea giant, the length of the sea is only 458.45 meters.

And such a giant wheel does not use a complete keel.

They are built using sections, which are then welded together.

"Mr. Geng, what are you going to use this for?"

Vice President Yuan asked with a frown.

"It's really strange to have such a structure."

Geng Bo took a sip of water, "The purpose is kept secret. ”

Then he glanced at Vice President Yuan: "Confidential level." ”

This is only the level of secrecy in terms of keels.

If it's the energy core, it's top secret.

Vice President Yuan didn't ask much, and after staying in this position for a long time, he understood that it was better not to know some things.

"Such components, IMHO, we don't have the ability to process them."

"Nothing else is a problem, it's a point."

Vice President Yuan sighed, a little helpless: "It's too long!" ”

Yes, the length of 450 meters, has already exceeded their processing capacity.

"You might be able to look for a factory on the railroad side."

"They have a lot of experience in machining extra-long metal components."

Geng Bo's eyes lit up after hearing this.

yes, how did you forget about the railway.

The rails of the railroad have a lot of similarities with the keel they are going to make.

They are all extra-long components, and at the same time, they also have extremely high requirements for flatness.

"You're right, Old Yuan!" Geng Bo said excitedly. (End of chapter)