HFD Mining Tools Company navigates through the fog by focusing on being "customer-centric" rather than "technology-centric." Being "customer-centric" is like the North Star on a dark prairie; while the path ahead may still have pitfalls, the overall direction is correct. HFD places great importance on talent, especially technical talent, with 45% of the company’s workforce in the R&D department, and a substantial annual R&D budget. Embracing a customer-centric approach involves humbling oneself without underestimating one’s own value, and genuinely shifting one’s mindset.

The real challenge is not from competitors but from the rapid pace of change in technology and the times. The speed of technological innovation is so fast that it’s crucial to focus on technology, customer experience, and the material quality of the products, ensuring they can withstand various harsh mining conditions.

Historically, improving the quality of Chinese high air pressure DTH hammers has been difficult. Traditional processing methods have limited the enhancement of hammer fatigue life, leading many users to opt for imported brands for longer service life. HFD Drilling Tools has been continually seeking better solutions.

Key challenges in processing include:

1. Material Strength and Hardness: Hammers must endure high pressure and temperature, necessitating high-strength and high-hardness materials. These materials are difficult to process, requiring special techniques and equipment.

2. High Precision Requirements: Large bore and depth require precise processing to avoid excessive errors or misalignment. This demands high-precision equipment and processes with strict control of temperature and pressure during processing.

3. Heat Treatment: Materials need heat treatment to enhance hardness and strength, but this can cause cracking and deformation, requiring special heat treatment technologies and strict control of heating and cooling parameters.

4. High Processing Costs: The difficulty of processing leads to the use of expensive equipment and techniques, increasing costs.

In the pursuit of high-performance hammers, the team is deeply invested in product development, continuously adjusting parameters during the R&D process, and testing breakthroughs in mines. Driven by both survival and ideals, employees work tirelessly, with company executives working closely with technical staff, often living on-site, sometimes for up to six months at a time. This dedicated "sofa culture" emerged during this period. HFD's sales team travels extensively across China, visiting remote cities and villages, rarely returning home, all in the effort to develop hammers that can compete with international brands. The high material wastage and reduced profit margins, even amidst increased production, highlight the challenges faced. Compared to international mining tool manufacturers, HFD seems crude and immature, with R&D cycles roughly twice as long.

HFD’s focus on material parameter research for high air pressure DTH hammers faced hurdles in keeping up with technological advancements. Despite this, the company recognized the tremendous impact of technological breakthroughs and the associated risks and pressures. Since the establishment of the technical research laboratory in 2000, HFD has aimed to enhance technical levels and soft power, recruiting industry talent. Initially, progress was slow, but the company continued significant investment without hesitation. By 2003, the lab developed a large-size hammer, up to 38 inches, performing exceptionally in various projects. These large hammers, designed for major projects, feature excellent durability and efficiency, made with advanced materials and manufacturing processes to ensure reliability and stability in harsh environments, making them industry leaders.

HFD’s fatigue-resistant manufacturing process replaces traditional methods, utilizing unique techniques for super mirror surface strengthening of hammer tails and pistons. This innovation significantly enhances the fatigue life of high air pressure DTH hammers, surpassing imported brands. The process involves high-frequency impacts that refine surface grains, precondition controlled pressure, and greatly improve hardness and fatigue strength. Comparative tests show that the overall fatigue life exceeds that of imported brands.

While many enterprises prefer to follow established companies rather than innovate, HFD chooses the challenging path of pioneering research. This dedication to R&D has earned global customer recognition and support. HFD understands the importance of proper testing equipment and transitions to formal methods whenever possible. The path of innovation and creating one's own brand, rather than taking the easy road, has proven correct. Mastering technology prevents vulnerability, and focusing on customers ensures long-term success.