Recently, the results of the selection of outstanding alumni of the Open University of China (OUC) were announced, recognising 328 alumni from various industries across the country.

These individuals, with accomplishments as their foundation and technology as their wings, demonstrate resilience, confidence, and a pragmatic, enterprising spirit, writing a unique chapter of progress of the OUC people. From today on, the stories of some alumni will be selected for sharing . By reviewing their outstanding deeds and listening to their life insights, the OUC’s achievements in talent development over the last 45 years are highlighted.

Zhu Xianbo enrolled in the Mechatronics Automation major at the Open University of China (OUC)in the fall of 2017. Currently, he is an electric welder at Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd. of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited, the chief technician and special-grade technician of China Shipbuilding Group, and also the person in charge of Zhu Xianbo Staff Innovation Studio and Wang Guoquan Skill Master Studio in Dalian Shipbuilding. He has participated in the construction of several key projects in Dalian Shipbuilding one after another. He has been honoured with titles such as the National May 1st Labour Medal and National Technical Expert, and is entitled to the special government allowances from the State Council.

Zhu Xianbo has been striving on the frontline of production and scientific research for a long time. Over the past 20-plus years, he has successively taken part in the construction of the world's first 3,500-cubic-metre LNG dual- fuel 300,000-ton ultra-large crude oil tanker, 20,000-TEU ultra-large container ships, and more than 100 various ships. Moreover, he has been involved in over 20 major national scientific research projects.

With his profound technical foundation and superb welding skills, Zhu Xianbo has repeatedly surmounted difficulties. He adheres to using innovative concepts to break through one obstacle after another and employs innovative technologies to fill numerous technical gaps in the field of ship welding, thus making outstanding contributions to China's shipbuilding industry.

Ingenuity-led and Boldly Innovative: Creating Exquisite Welding Processes

As the times progress and technology innovates, the shipbuilding industry has set higher requirements for welding processes. Zhu Xianbo actively plays the role of a leader in skills and scientific research. Based on the development needs of the industry, he conducts multiple rounds of research on new materials and new processes as well as technological innovation. By improving operating methods, he has solved welding problems such as porosity in laser-hybrid welding, large deformation after titanium alloy welding, and different expansion coefficients. He has also remedied defects like lack of fusion between argon arc welding bottom layers. He has successively overcome more than 70 major welding technical problems, improved over 40 welding processes, won 10 national patents, obtained more than 100 innovation achievements at provincial, municipal and other levels, created a direct economic value of hundreds of millions of yuan, and has cumulatively saved the enterprise more than 30 million yuan in costs.

A Model of Ingenuity, Tackling Scientific and Technological Problems, and Courageously Undertaking Construction Responsibilities

During the construction of the world's first LNG dual-fuel-powered 300,000-ton VLCC crude oil tanker, according to the characteristics of 9Ni steel, Zhu Xianbo refined the classification of welds and welding materials. He was the first in the world to combine trackless welding robots with high-efficiency deep-penetration welding technology and apply it to LNG storage tanks, controlling the frequency of welding defects to less than 1% and successfully solving the difficult problem of 9Ni steel welding defects.

In argon arc welding training, he improved the operating methods, effectively controlling the generation of slag inclusions and lack of fusion inside the welds, preventing defects such as sagging of the molten pool and undercut on the surface, solving problems such as shallow penetration in argon arc welding, and the easy occurrence of slag inclusions and lack of inter- layer fusion, which has greatly enhanced the ability to form welds.

Interpreted by Ingenuity and Passed on from Generation to Generation: Creating "Gold-Medal Master-Apprentice" Relationships

The quality system for the manufacturing of civil special-purpose equipment has strict requirements, high welding technical standards, and many welding problems. There are very detailed and clear regulations on the requirements and classification of welding personnel qualifications in the construction of special-purpose equipment. In this regard, Zhu Xianbo not only has on-site conventional welding qualifications and abilities but also holds the qualifications of a senior assessor and referee, becoming one of the few "player-coach"  like welders in China's special-purpose equipment welding field with comprehensive skills and an outstanding level.

Especially after becoming the chief technician of China Shipbuilding, Zhu Xianbo also serves as a senior assessor for special-purpose equipment welding examinations and a referee for the National Nuclear Energy Industry Skills Competition. He has organised special-purpose equipment welder training for more than 3,000 person-times, participated in 26 national special-purpose equipment examinations, and obtained 173 national special-purpose equipment welding qualifications... The operation methods such as shielded metal arc welding, argon arc welding, and gas-shielded welding based on special-purpose equipment welder examination items, which he invented for special-purpose equipment welder examinations, have successfully trained 150 welders. This method has increased the examination pass rate from about 30% to 90% currently, which is 40% higher than the national examination pass rate of 50%.

In recent years, "high-calibre craftsmen" represented by Zhu Xianbo have achieved one remarkable result after another: The Zhu Xianbo Staff Innovation Studio led by him has been awarded the National Demonstrative Model Worker Innovation Studio and the Liaoning Provincial Staff Innovation Studio; he has cultivated 3 national technical experts, 1 skill leader of China Shipbuilding Group, 1 winner of the Liaoning May 1st Labor Medal, 1 Liaoning craftsman, 1 Dalian craftsman, 3 special-grade technicians, and 3 Dalian innovative technical experts for Dalian Shipbuilding... While striving to build an innovative enterprise, they have inspired more and more young employees to establish the concept of lifelong learning and the consciousness of making contributions in their posts with the "champion culture" and the spirit of craftsmanship, forming a good atmosphere of "taking the advanced as role models, learning techniques, and striving for championships".

 

By OUC News Network