Camshaft Company’s Five Major Quality Tools Training Course Concludes Successfully

On November 10, the ASIMCO Camshaft Company’s training on the Five Major Quality Tools successfully concluded under the witness of the Manufacturing Support Team at the Group headquarters. This quality training was scheduled over weekends during the hot months of June, July, and August. Over a period of more than three months, key employees from the Technology, Quality, Production, Equipment, and Sales departments diligently attended 96 hours of instruction. Each team presented reports based on specific projects, reaping abundant benefits and bringing this training to a perfect close. Leaders from both the headquarters and the company presented graduation certificates, certificates for outstanding teams and outstanding trainees, as well as prizes to all participants. “Down-to-earth” was Director Liu Jun of the headquarters’ high praise for this training. All in-class exercises and homework assignments were drawn from real-world camshaft-related cases currently being developed and manufactured by the company, and the most vigorous discussions among trainees centered on the organic integration of theoretical knowledge with practical application, making the training highly relevant and useful. Through this training, participants promptly identified and addressed shortcomings in the company’s ongoing product development and manufacturing projects by applying what they had learned. Company leaders commended the initiative, noting that the training exceeded management’s expectations and emphasizing that this “learning-by-doing” approach is just the beginning. In the years to come, similar down-to-earth, practical training sessions will be held annually.

Teamwork Overcomes Challenges — A Record of the Installation and Commissioning of an Automatic Suction-Type Machine

The mold-blowing and mold-suction processes have always been the key focus for controlling product quality on the AUTO2 casting production line. To further enhance the line’s level of automation, reduce workers’ physical workload, and eliminate human factors that could affect product quality, the company conducted multiple site visits and subsequently procured an automated mold-suction device. At the end of September, with support from the maintenance team and taking advantage of a scheduled shutdown of the AUTO2 line, the installation of the automated mold-suction device was carried out as quickly as possible. Process engineers developed CNC programs tailored to the product configuration of the AUTO2 line and performed commissioning; electrical technicians finalized the control scheme to integrate the mold-suction machine with the AUTO2 line, ensuring that once the sand mold is in place, the device’s program automatically starts. During this phase, several challenges arose. To enable the device to simultaneously perform mold suction and spray surface-strengthening agents, fitters installed coolant nozzles on the machine tool; however, during commissioning it became apparent that the spray coverage consistently fell short of the desired level—either the coverage area was too small, or the program ran too slowly to keep pace with the production line. Subsequently, frontline operators actively contributed by suggesting replacing the nozzle with a manual sprayer used for mold suction. After fitters modified and installed the new sprayer, the system finally achieved the intended performance. Another issue was the inconsistent height of the sand-mold surface: not only did this make the suction nozzle prone to being knocked off alignment, but it also risked damaging the mold itself. To address this, flexible hoses were added to the metal tubing of the suction nozzle, and height markers were installed at the positions corresponding to the first two boxes. Any sand mold whose surface was scratched by these markers was flagged as exceeding the specified height, triggering the mold-suction machine to shut down and thereby reducing the likelihood of collisions. With the full support of the entire foundry team, the mold-suction machine is now operating normally. This reminds me of the lyrics to a song: “With a bamboo pole, we brave the vast ocean; with everyone rowing together, we set sail on the big ship…”

Work Hard in the Fourth Quarter to Create New Glory ------ The ASIMCO Camshaft Production Site is in Full Swing

In the golden autumn month of October, the fragrance of sweet osmanthus fills the air—this is the season of harvest. Since October, demand in the ASIMCO Camshaft sales market has grown rapidly, with orders for all product varieties now reaching or even surpassing the maximum production capacity designed for each manufacturing line. The situation is encouraging, yet also pressing. Orders are commands; therefore, company leadership, with far-sighted vision, has adopted the guiding principle of making sales the driving force externally and production the core internally. This philosophy has been thoroughly communicated and mobilized at all levels, with employees at every tier going all out. Staff on secondary and tertiary lines are fully supporting frontline production by providing whatever auxiliary assistance they can, ensuring that customer needs are met. The Production Department and machining workshops have responded promptly and flexibly, taking proactive measures: during the National Day holiday, they began working overtime; after the holiday, they quickly adjusted staffing arrangements, reinstated and strengthened shift systems, and maximized the utilization of production line capacity. All support departments have provided full backing: the Human Resources Department has promptly filled staffing gaps, while the Equipment Department has deployed its most skilled personnel to swiftly troubleshoot and resolve equipment malfunctions, thereby ensuring the smooth operation of production equipment. At present, all employees are highly motivated, working in unison from top to bottom and striving with all their might. Production is operating continuously and steadily, with output, quality, energy consumption, and other key performance indicators all reaching record highs, laying a solid foundation for the company to make a strong push in the fourth quarter and achieve new successes.

Mutual exchange, common progress

On September 13, six colleagues from ASIMCO Shanxi Foundry, led by Director Liu Yi of the Second Foundry Division, visited our company for an exchange and tour. The visit was warmly received by Ji Youqun, our Production Director. Both sides engaged in in-depth exchanges, discussions, and learning in an open and candid manner. During the on-site tour of the workshop, the workshop management team provided a detailed overview of the production process, on-site management, equipment management, and other aspects, and answered all questions raised as comprehensively as possible. In recent years, ASIMCO Shanxi has made significant breakthroughs in corporate management; their automation upgrades on production lines and improvements in COPQ for casting blanks are particularly worthy of our reference and study. During the subsequent exchange, participants spoke freely and enthusiastically, engaging in thorough discussions on topics of mutual interest. The ASIMCO Shanxi colleagues also offered valuable suggestions for improving our on-site operations. Although the period for this learning and exchange was brief, through this experience of mutual learning, discussion, and sharing of successful practices, we achieved the goal of learning from one another. This is a key approach for companies to foster a learning-oriented workforce and actively build an outstanding management team. After all, every enterprise and team has its own unique characteristics and areas where we can learn and draw inspiration. Mutual exchange broadens our thinking, sparks our creativity, and provides us with valuable insights. Going forward, ASIMCO Camshaft will, guided by the goals of standardized and refined management, continuously enhance the management capabilities of employees at all levels through various means to meet the needs of the company’s steady development. We also welcome more sister companies to visit for exchanges and guidance, so that we can share our respective management experiences and methods.

Company Organizes Employees to Donate Blood Voluntarily and Show Compassion

In response to the government’s call and in fulfillment of their civic duty, on the morning of August 20, ASIMCO Camshaft joined forces with the Yizheng Blood Collection Station of the Yangzhou Central Blood Station to organize a voluntary blood donation campaign for employees titled “Voluntary Blood Donation, Sharing Love.” The inaugural event successfully recruited 11 donors, who collectively donated a total of 3,700 milliliters of blood. At 8:00 a.m., the blood donation vehicle arrived at the company. After all preparatory work was completed, employees undergoing blood donation carefully filled out registration forms, had their blood pressure measured, and provided blood samples for testing under the guidance of blood station staff. Only those whose blood tests met the required standards were allowed to proceed with voluntary blood donation. Among the participants were both long-serving veterans and newly hired employees. Liu Ying, an accountant in the metalworking workshop, has taken part in voluntary blood donation for three consecutive years. This time, she also voluntarily registered with the Chinese Marrow Donor Program, becoming a volunteer hematopoietic stem cell donor. She stated that she is always ready to donate hematopoietic stem cells to patients with severe blood disorders. Employees who participated in the voluntary blood donation expressed that donating their own blood can help patients in urgent need of treatment, making it a benevolent act that benefits the country, the people, and themselves—and it is also the duty of every citizen. When they received their own bright-red donation certificates, the nervous expressions on their faces gave way to looks of fulfillment and happiness. Director Wang from the blood station explained that blood donation can stimulate the activity of hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow, promote metabolism, enhance one’s own blood-forming function, and improve blood circulation. Moreover, by helping others, it achieves two benefits in one—so the more one does, the better. He hopes that in the future more employees will actively participate in blood donation activities to help even more people.

ASIMCO Camshaft Held the First Half-Year Anti-Counterfeiting Training and Practical Drill Successfully

To ensure that all employees of the company gain a basic understanding of fire safety, enhance their awareness of safety precautions, strengthen their self-protection capabilities, master emergency response and evacuation skills in the event of a sudden fire, learn how to use fire-extinguishing equipment, and carry out orderly evacuation of personnel and property, thereby safeguarding both employee lives and company assets, the company conducted fire-safety training and practical drills for employees in key departments and critical positions across relevant departments at 4:00 p.m. on July 14, 2016 (photos attached). Through this fire drill, participants’ awareness of safety precautions and their ability to extinguish fires were enhanced. They also became proficient in the operating procedures for fire-extinguishing equipment and in proper evacuation techniques, further improving the entire workforce’s capacity to respond effectively to emergencies. In addition, the drill strengthened employees’ preventive awareness and self-rescue skills, enabling them to recognize hazards and implement necessary emergency measures—basic operational skills that were put into practice. The exercise also honed their organizational, command, and adaptive capabilities under emergency conditions.

Cummins design experts and the VPI procurement manager at headquarters visited ASIMCO Camshaft one after another.

On June 30, 2016, Mr. Mathew, a product design expert from Cummins, and Mrs. Joyce, a senior purchasing manager at BFCEC, paid a special visit to ASIMCO Camshaft. The primary purpose of this visit by the Cummins experts was to discuss the design upgrade of the FX Camshaft with ASIMCO Camshaft. Cummins plans to make significant changes to the camshaft’s structure, cam profile, and phase settings for this project, in order to substantially enhance the engine’s performance. Mathew was the original designer of the ISG Camshaft project. Given the excellent communication and collaboration between Cummins and ASIMCO on the ISG Camshaft design—resulting in a camshaft that is considered a classic in Cummins’ camshaft design history—their current visit aims to secure ASIMCO’s full support and assistance during the early design phase of the FX project. During the visit, Cummins experts and ASIMCO’s camshaft technical team also exchanged views on future trends in new materials and technologies for camshafts. Both sides agreed that modular camshafts represent one of the key development trends going forward. Mr. Mathew stated that Cummins’ newly developed camshaft products are considering adopting a modular design, and expressed the hope that ASIMCO will initiate a modular camshaft project. In that case, the two companies will continue to collaborate closely in this field and build on their past successes! Additional news: From July 13 to 14, 2016, Luce, VPI Purchasing Manager at Cummins headquarters, visited ASIMCO Camshaft. Luce first provided an overview of the M project, including its background and timeline. This engine will meet emissions standards higher than Euro VI, reaching the EPA 2018 standard. Cummins aims to capture a 60% market share in the North American heavy-duty truck engine market, and the M project will play a pivotal role in achieving this goal. Currently, the Alpha prototype of the camshaft has been delivered, with bench testing expected to be completed by the end of August. The PPAP deadline for the project is August 1, 2017; accordingly, the customer requires ASIMCO Camshaft to ensure ample production capacity. Company leaders briefed the guest on current sales, production capacity, and quality performance, accompanied them on a tour of the casting and machining workshops, and provided a detailed explanation of Cummins’ dedicated production line. They also discussed strategic cooperation projects between the two companies. Through these exchanges, the customer highly commended ASIMCO Camshaft’s proactive and open attitude as well as its effective communication, expressing anticipation for even closer collaboration in the future.

More Truth and Capability Enhancement—Training Session on the Five Major Tools at the Camshaft Company

In recent years, despite the company’s sales and production consistently growing against the market trend, ASIMCO Camshaft Co., Ltd.’s management remains mindful of potential risks—“he who lacks foresight will surely face distant worries”—and recognizes that the company’s five core tools currently fall short in practical application. To address this, the company has made full use of training resources from ASIMCO Group headquarters, inviting two instructors from headquarters, Mr. Liu Junsen and Mr. Wang Kang, to conduct a three-month training program on the application of the five core tools: APQP, Process Flowcharts + Characteristic Matrix, FMEA, CP, MSA, and SPC. To avoid common pitfalls in training such as “going through the motions” or “paying lip service,” Technical Quality Director Dai Hongxing and the group headquarters’ trainers meticulously planned the training approach and process. They selected 25 key personnel from production, technology, and quality departments as trainees, dividing them into five project teams based on the company’s current product projects. The training was conducted concurrently with project work, integrating the application of the five core tools with ongoing product development for both learning and practical use. Participants were required to ultimately complete benchmark APQP documents for two products. At the opening ceremony on June 17, General Manager Chen Aiguo delivered an encouraging speech, urging all trainees to apply what they learned in the five-core-tool training directly to current product manufacturing, thereby creating value for the company and its customers. Instructor Wang Kang skillfully used a paper-ruler simulation exercise to conduct an APQP drill. Under his guidance, participants engaged in step-by-step learning and hands-on practice. What seemed like a simple task revealed, once put into action, the critical interdependence of each stage. Subsequently, each team acted as a “customer” for the others, providing constructive feedback and scoring their performance, leading to lively exchanges: Team 1’s meticulous scrutiny, Team 2’s self-reflection, and Team 5 quietly revising its initial planning... After each hands-on exercise, the instructors organized group debriefings and reflections, highlighting each team’s strengths and weaknesses in that particular phase. As trainees listened to the project leaders’ candid self-assessments, many felt a sense of déjà vu—realizing that these mistakes closely mirrored those they often encounter during new-product development. Amidst good-natured laughter, participants seemed to gain valuable insights... At the first training summary meeting, trainees remained highly motivated, feeling that their previous project work had already become “outdated” and unsatisfying. With the approval of company leadership and the trainers, the five new products currently under development were adopted as the focus of this training session, allowing participants to truly learn while working on real projects and thereby validating the effectiveness of the training. During the sandbox simulation of B-sample production, each team leveraged internal departmental resources to design tooling, fixtures, and gauges for sample evaluation and verification. The on-site results continually impressed instructors Liu Junsen and Wang Kang. At the first training summary meeting, Instructor Wang Kang remarked, “The camshaft team’s professional foundation and training outcomes have far exceeded our original expectations.” This comment left the trainees eager for more and looking forward to the next session.