Wald: A technology leader in superhard knives

Zhang Zongchao, Chief Engineer of Tool Product Technology, Beijing Wald Diamond Tools Co., Ltd.

The protagonist of the story is Mr. Zhang Zongchao, Chief Engineer of Tool Product Technology of Beijing Wald Diamond Tools Co., Ltd. As the general manager and technical leader of Walter Tool Technology, during the interview, the first impression to reporters is that it is overflowing with Zhang. Self-confidence on the face, confidence in the product, confidence in technology, self-confidence in after-sales service and corporate culture, confidence in the bright future of China's manufacturing industry!
Dialogue with people who engage in technology must start with products, and dialogue with Zhang Gong is no exception. When it comes to products, Zhang Gong said in general that in 2014, Wald's series of PCBN hard-car blades increased geometrically in the first half of 2015 and the first half of 2016. In the second half of this year, coated PCBN will be launched. Blades make Wald's products more complete. Subsequently, Zhang Gong introduced us to Wald's representative products - this year's new PCD indexable face milling cutter. According to Zhang Gong, Wald PCD indexable face milling cutter represents the typical Wald customer thinking. This product for non-ferrous metal face milling square shoulder milling can fully demonstrate Wald's customer demand. The design concept, in the same price of products, has ultra-high flexibility, also meets the roughing and finishing process requirements, reducing the downtime caused by tool change and saving costs. At the same time, this face milling cutter can give customers a satisfactory performance, regardless of the chip removal rate or the surface roughness and the special requirements of the part plane.
This latest face milling cutter has the following features:
1. It adopts aluminum alloy and steel bimetal design, reduces some auxiliary parts, has simple structure and easy operation; the service life of cutterhead is several times that of conventional aluminum alloy cutter head;
2. The pre-positioning plane enables the blade to be quickly positioned, and the positioning accuracy can reach 0.02 mm for many users without pre-conditioning equipment;
3. The bounce adjustment is simple, the adjustment range is less than 0.1 mm, and the special and simple adjustment structure makes the adjustment precision of the whole blade reach less than 2 microns;
4. The blade replacement is simple, and various main angle blades can be used;
5. The blade adopts the separation design of the positioning surface and the flank face, and the positioning surface is not affected by the subsequent processing, which ensures the effectiveness of the positioning surface;
6. The blade has a variety of lead angle design to meet the different requirements of face milling and square shoulder milling;
7. The double-headed design of the blade can be repeatedly repaired to reduce the user's cost.
Many of the designs in this product are the innovations independently developed by Wald and belong to the international initiative. This is developed by Wald technology R&D personnel based on years of technical accumulation and customer segmentation research. It not only fills the gap in the international market, but also establishes a technical benchmark belonging to Wald, which has become the international industry. Learning the model of research.

PCD indexable face milling cutter

When the reporter asked about the advantages of Walter's CVD tool series developed this year and other brands of similar products, Zhang Gong's answer was slightly unexpected, Zhang Gongcheng said, because many experiments and tests have not been completed. Some new production equipment and testing equipment are still being installed and commissioned. The technical parameters and performance indicators of the new products are not yet available for publication. However, Wald has made great breakthroughs in CVD materials, and has already equipped the relevant processing equipment. Wald has been doing research and development for half a year, and is still in the testing stage. This new CVD material tool will be A revolutionary breakthrough in the production and processing of existing CVD tools. Therefore, it is not convenient to answer questions about the advantages, but Zhang Gong revealed that in the development direction of CVD tools, Wald will aim at the world's cutting-edge ultra-microfabrication field, based on the latest technology being developed in Europe, America and Japan. The level of research and development has exceeded and new products will be released soon. The rigor and responsibility of talking can be seen, this is also the style of Wald's knives, rigorous and solid. Just like the introduction of the new mini PCBN integrated blade this year, although the price/performance and versatility of the product can be said to be basically the best in the industry, Zhang Gong is still reluctant to talk about it because of the product during the interview. The final test has not been completed yet. However, the reporter has vaguely felt that once this product is officially launched, it will definitely set off the perfect storm in the field of tool technology.

Is there a perfect law in the world?
The dilemma faced by Chinese manufacturing companies is too much. In terms of costs and benefits, sales and services, etc., in terms of specific links such as procurement, how to save costs and improve efficiency, it has been a lot of trouble to find products that are cost-effective. Business problems, many companies spend a lot of time on doing "multiple choice questions."
Based on the actual needs of Chinese companies, Wald has taken the lead in developing a double-edged PCD CNC blade on a global scale. Under the premise of ensuring consistent world-class performance, it has increased the use efficiency by 50% for users. A lot of cost, this PCD blade is not only an extra edge, but also innovate in many functions, such as the design of the chip breaker. According to Zhang Gong, the chipbreaker of PCD blades produced by Wald is able to meet different cutting requirements and processing characteristics of different processing materials. Ordinary processing can basically achieve “one-size-fits-all”. In this way, it not only saves the time spent by the user in changing the tool and adjusting the knife but also saves the purchase cost. It is truly economical and practical, the performance is comparable to the international brand, and has the local price advantage.
Another chip-breaking CBN insert introduced by Wald in 2015 is a combination of Wald's performance and price advantages. This CBN insert features Walther's uniquely designed 3D chipbreaker. Solve the chip problem and greatly improve the efficiency of the work. The cutting field is wider, and the same groove shape can be cut and cut from finishing to roughing. It is most suitable for the removal of carburized layer. The chipping process can be carried out from the quenched part to the unquenched part. This high versatility can greatly save the customer's procurement cost. It can be said that Wald has created a world for local enterprises. The high-end products of the level fully reflect the perfect combination of international cutting-edge quality and local price.

Chip breaking type CBN blade

With technical innovation and originality of detail, Wald offers users a variety of excellent products that are both cost-effective and cost-effective. This must be said to be a pioneer of the Wald.

Want to wear a crown to bear the weight
Wald's product development path is unique. It is not a one-sided independent research and development, but on the basis of learning from the world's outstanding technological achievements, adhere to learning - inheritance - development - beyond the road of research and development, just like Wall De's slogan "only surpasses, does not copy," Wald is humbly learning the essence of its design for international big brands, not simple "takenism", and can understand and master foreign advanced technology at the same time. Incorporating Wald's own research and development experience and its own expertise to enhance the advanced technology that is being learned, to go beyond the existing technology and truly transform from "follower" to "leader".
Wald insists on pursuing the technical "being chasing after it, it is better to lead in front", which is the realm that Wald pursues in technology.
Zhang Gong said frankly that it is not an easy task to be a leader in technology, especially a Chinese private enterprise. Zhang Gong told reporters that Wald's experiments to test new products and collect relevant data consume thousands of blades each year. The new products we see are just the tip of the iceberg. The huge manpower and resources that Wald technicians spend. Financial resources are invisible. If you want to be a technology leader, you must spend time and effort. Before each mature product launch, you must have a test phase of one to three years in Wald. Self-adjustment and even self-denial, in Zhang’s own words, is “sweet and self-aware”, but every Wald knows that this is the only way to be a technology leader.
To be able to withstand loneliness in an impetuous market atmosphere, and to seduce the temptation in the face of short-term interests, "not to cover the eyes of the clouds," the Wald people's goal is firm and consistent. Hard work pays off, Wald is able to surpass international big brands in technology. It is inseparable from the facts of data accumulation, market segmentation and product detail innovation in these years. "No one can succeed casually." ".

Wald's five series of products

Learning me is like my death
For the advantages of Wald products, Zhang Gong is not a good word. But when it comes to the elements of success, Zhang Gong simply answers a word - innovation. Zhang Gong admits that the reason why China's manufacturing industry has a gap with its foreign counterparts is the creativity and research and development capabilities. From the perspective of tool manufacturing, a considerable number of tool manufacturers are taking the model of copying similar foreign brands, and even individual tool companies. It is a naked "plagiarism." Zhang Gong does not want to see this situation.
For innovation, Wald has his own unique insights. Mr. Chen Jifeng, the chairman of Wald Company, once said that small and medium-sized private enterprises are not easy to make money, and their investment in innovation is their own hard-earned money. Therefore, we must emphasize low-cost innovation: failure is not necessarily the mother of success, but every failure is definitely a cost; innovation does not necessarily have to be a new creation from 0, can be referenced or even copied across industries and regions. But even if it is copied, it must be given new content, and it has its own core things, not a hard copy. Innovation can be the integration of existing technologies in society, and many product innovations in modern society fall into this category. The content and method of integration are different, and the products are different.
The technical team headed by Zhanggong has well integrated the essence of Chen Dong’s speech into the product. Zhang Gong summarizes Wald's innovative features: 1. The pursuit of materials and craftsmanship 2. Cost-effective 3. The pursuit of user convenience and safety 4. Industry versatility 5. In the comprehensive or some points to achieve international brands The performance of the same type is beyond. Zhang Gong said that every blade of Wald's factory is strictly tested. The factory inspection index of each blade is much higher than the published index. This kind of inspection strength is to ensure that every blade produced by Wald is It can guarantee quality and quantity, and has consistent high quality. Wald's products are aimed at the world's high-end level. This high quality is not based on matching domestic machine tools, but is aimed at matching high-end machine tools in Europe and America. In this way, it also indirectly forces the domestic production and manufacturing industry to upgrade the equipment and promote the upgrading of the entire manufacturing industry.
Learning from my life, like my death, Wald is firmly on the road of independent research and development, fully drawing on the successful experience of international advanced big brands, not following the trend of not imitating, but dialectical analysis to learn from each other's strengths, to achieve the future, to learn On the basis of further development, the director of the 100 companies used it for me, and created the road of technology research and development of the Wald model.

The right person does the right thing
Wald's innovative R&D path has always been at the forefront of the world, and Wald is pursuing its own characteristics, both in terms of tool materials, machining processes, and coatings that are closely related to tool performance.
Having its own technical characteristics is the pursuit of every Wald, but the origin of Wald's product and technology innovation lies in customer needs. Product innovation must be based on the needs of customers, not just new and new, and new for themselves. The needs of customers need to be carefully investigated, and they cannot be guessed by personal feelings. Many of the customer's needs are hidden, and the customers themselves may not realize it. We need to dig and inspect. Technological innovation is the innovation of ideas, technologies, processes, tooling, equipment, etc., which are designed to meet product optimization, efficiency improvement, cost reduction, new product manufacturing, etc., and can not be justified to meet individual interests. This is an understanding from the Wald leadership to the grassroots employees who have melted into the blood.
Zhang Gong said that almost all of Wald's R&D department technicians have the experience of producing first-line product managers, because the nature of the product manager's work allows these people to get close contact with customers, and the sales and pre-sales links are almost in line with customers. It’s inseparable, so the product manager is the one who can best understand the needs of customers. The problem that users encounter during the use process is the subject of our research and development. Zhang Gong said that it is relying on the continuous accumulation of each specific problem for each customer. Wald has accumulated a large amount of user data and field parameters. Only after Wal-Dart's products are targeted, truly achieve the goal of customer demand, truly save costs and improve efficiency for customers, and then be able to write classics that defeat Japanese brands in the fierce market competition with excellent product performance. Case.
As Zhang Gong said, every blade produced by Wald is “thinking”. Wald product research and development is always oriented to customer needs. The product manager’s work experience is the first to provide product development. The data and the direction of the research and development will not deviate from the original goal. This kind of targeted user research and data analysis can get accurate data, which is why Wald's products can be close to the market and can pass the product. The refinement of the design, the refinement of the functions, the refinement of the parts and the refinement of the use methods, etc., achieve the economical design and the refinement of the products. Under the premise of ensuring the consistent high quality of the quality performance, the material cost can be saved and the installation can be saved. Time and the purpose of extending the service life. This is why Wald can play a world in the international tool market with strong hands.

Conclusion
Through interviews with Zhanggong, we deeply felt the vision and temperament of a tool-oriented company that looks at the world. One is really relying on R&D and innovation, close to the market, close to the users, and relying on the unremitting pursuit of the world's leading position in tool technology to create first-class. The face of the national tool brand with product quality and service level. We always say that "the nation is the world", but it must be said that "the one who belongs to the world must be a strong nation", because the strong rules are made and others follow the rules.
With strong and stubborn, aiming at the international first-line brand and targeting its strongest opponent, Wald's goal is to get the right to speak the world's tool manufacturing rules within 20 years. This is also represented by Zhang Zongchao's chief engineer. The goal of the knives is to look forward to the early arrival of this day.