Improve the level of independent industrialization and innovation

Our company primarily engages in foreign trade subcontracting. Our clients have strict requirements regarding product appearance and performance. Given the characteristics of our R&D and production processes, we emphasize the precision of our products and the timely delivery of “zero defect” quality assurance. In the past, we used hand-milled high-speed steel (HSS) tools, but now we've transitioned to using over 80% quick-change machines and tools. This shift has involved many challenges and learning curves. Currently, our main product lines include foreign trade quick-connect joints, filters, valve assemblies, and similar items. The materials we work with include cast aluminum, stainless steel, carbon steel, free-cutting steel, and more. As product quality demands continue to rise, so does the need for tool rigidity—especially when it comes to boring tools. Ensuring the accuracy of internal cavities, threads, and grooves is particularly challenging. At present, most of our tools are imported, including brands like Sumitomo, Kyocera, Shante, Yujie, VTX, as well as Taiwanese milling machines from Zhengheyuan, China Zheng Drill, Zhuzhou Diamond, Hejian, and Chengdu Fengyi. These tools help us meet the demanding standards of our international clients.

Based on our actual product characteristics, there are three major issues we face: (1) Most of our quick joint products are made from stainless steel, specifically grade 0Cr17Ni4Cu4Nb. After rough machining, these parts undergo H900 heat treatment, resulting in a hardness of approximately 40HRC. When machining internal threads or cavities, standard thread inserts tend to wear quickly. This leads to situations where the tool "gets stuck," causing thread damage or overcutting. (2) When processing external threads on A380 cast aluminum, standard thread inserts like AG60 or Vargas often fail to achieve the required surface finish. We must use diamond tools for this task. However, if the diamond tip encounters impurities or pores, it can easily wear out. A single diamond blade costs around 200 yuan, which is quite expensive given the frequency of use. (3) For small-diameter threads such as M4, M3, and M2, the tap material and workpiece material don't always match well. This leads to broken taps. Additionally, the guiding portion of the tap is often too long, requiring manual repair of shallow teeth to ensure proper thread length. Unfortunately, this results in poor surface finish and even cases of stripped threads.

(1) Domestic tools currently lack cost competitiveness compared to their foreign counterparts. For example, a domestic SIGER1210B-EH internal groove cutter bar costs about 180 yuan, while an imported one is around 850 yuan. While there is a price advantage, the performance and rigidity of the domestic version fall short. Issues such as vibration during cutting, improper tool geometry, and frequent breakage significantly affect processing quality and supplier reputation. It seems that domestic manufacturers often copy existing designs without focusing on improvements in tool selection, structural design, or heat treatment. (2) The professional skills of sales technicians need improvement. Many of today's tool salespeople are not young enough to be fully familiar with the tools, their applications, or practical machining experience. Most rely on company trials and direct reporting of blade grades, offering limited recommendations. Deep-level technical expertise requires continuous self-learning and training.

In conclusion, we sincerely hope to build long-term and in-depth cooperation between suppliers and users. By working together, we can elevate the quality assurance of domestically produced tools to a new level. This will not only benefit our company but also contribute to the overall development of the industry.