Manufacturing businesses in Tasmania are building for the future by making sound investments in technology. Five such manufacturers have recently invested in world-leading CNC machines from Okuma, and have been delighted with the resulting benefits in terms of competitive advantage and standards of finish.
Elphinstone – Antarctic export success
Elphinstone Engineering has been servicing the transport industry since 1976. The company pioneered the installation of weighing systems in Australia and has revolutionised the logging transport industry with innovative design and technology. Elphinstone is a key supplier to mainland Australia and has developed export sales around the world, even including Antarctica.
According to Elphinstone’s Production Manager Jason Cameron, the company serves a wide variety of sectors, including general transport, agriculture, mining, waste, heavy haulage, tippers, tankers and concrete mixers. It is also engaged in carious specialised industries including road stabilisation, explosives, silos and stationary scales.
The company has more than 25 years in designing and manufacturing equipment suitable for Antarctic conditions and is a key supplier to the Australian Antarctic Division, having participated in three traverses of the continent to gain first-hand knowledge of the conditions. Its specialised Antarctic equipment includes a wide variety of trailers, sleds, heavy duty skis, traverse caravans, walkways, base frames, turntables and suspensions.
Elphinstone recently procured the latest LB3000 CNC horizontal lathe from Okuma. It is the latest acquisition in a longstanding relationship, the new machine complementing an earlier Okuma machine that has now completed years of service.
“The relationship with Okuma Australia has been a wonderful and enlightening experience, with unlimited training and expert technical support at the end of the telephone line,” says Cameron. “The performance of the machine is unbelievable, with one job alone which took 45 minutes involving two processes reduced to less than 13 minutes in one process with a fantastic quality finish that is also saving us in consumables. The new Okuma machine allows us to complete shorter runs economically with savings of up to 25%, and the combination will ultimately reduce our inventory by an estimated 35%.”
Currawong – UAV leaders
Precision engineering company Currawong Engineering Pty Ltd was founded by Gavin Brett in 2005 in response to an identified need for specialised components for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Due to perceived shortcomings in the reliability and durability of the small engines used to power the small-to-medium-sized UAVs, Currawong developed a range of components for converting engines to electronic fuel injection (EFI), which has enabled even the most basic of model aircraft and industrial engines to operate efficiently in extremes of high and low temperatures and at high altitude.
Currawong has since moved into developing and manufacturing complete aircraft propulsion systems to aerospace industry standards, with the engine, fuel and exhaust, and engine mounting system fully integrated. This development has led to a further step in reliability and durability with Currawong recognised as a world leader in electronic fuel injection for UAVs, providing solutions for gasoline and heavy fuel powered small two stoke and four stroke engines.
“When we were considering the investment in an additional CNC machine we had always felt that Okuma would be out of our price range,” says Currawong Workshop Manager Jason Suter. “However an advertisement containing pricing and subsequent references to Okuma users changed this view and we couldn’t be happier with our first Okuma machine.
“We work to fine tolerances in aluminium and the finish we are achieving with the new machine along with the speed of output is exceptional. The touch screen is modern and user-friendly for our experienced team of CNC machinists who are all lining up to operate the machine.”
The advantages are proving considerable for Currawong, with more tooling in the carousel, high-speed machining capabilities, rigid construction and faster tooling changes, which has increased productivity and shortened lead times for customers. Other precision work undertaken by this company over many years includes components for stabilising gimbals for cameras, particularly used in aircraft, another field of its expertise. With exports growing, three additional people have been added to the team and further expansion plans are being advanced for this high-technology Tasmanian manufacturer.
“The technical support and training we have received from the machine supplier is market leading with as much training as we require, although with skilled machinists much of this can be done by fast direct telephone contact and the manuals are excellent,” adds Suter.
Delta Hydraulics – Opening new opportunities
Delta Hydraulics has been an Okuma user for many years, acquiring its first Okuma CNC machine in 1982. With a strong affinity to the brand, the introduction of an additional Okuma into this precision engineering shop was just another step forward in a strong trusted relationship.
Established in 1975 by Managing Director John White, Delta Hydraulics is today a world-leading manufacturer and innovator of multi-stage telescopic cylinders and hoists, industrial single stage rod hydraulic cylinders, constant velocity telescoping cylinders, long stroke mast cylinders, annual ported double acting telescoping feed cylinders and manifolds. Delta’s sophisticated in-house design, engineering and end-to-end manufacturing capabilities enables the company to provide rapid and flexible design, engineering and manufacture to deliver quality product to one-off or high-volume production volume for OEM customers.
Today the company services customers in more than 30 countries around the world, across diverse industries such as agriculture, aquaculture, defence, construction, earthmoving, energy, food & beverage processing, forestry, oil & gas exploration, materials handling, mining, power generation, ship building, transport and waste management. Delta is always looking to expand its product range and the new Okuma machine’s capabilities open up new opportunities.
“We manufacture intricate precision components and we have experienced strong reliability with the Okuma machines throughout the years, which is critical to efficient, quality manufacturing,” says White. “Our skilled operators know and understand the controls and operating systems of these machines, which is a huge benefit, the reliability enables one technician to operate two machines comfortably, and there are significant tooling advantages.”
Saunders & Ward – Boosting service
Saunders & Ward Pty Ltd established in 1922 and has built up a highly skilled workforce. The steel fabrication and general engineering company has a reputation for its quality work output over a broad range of products. Recently it invest in its first Okuma LB3000-EXIIBMCx1000 machine with OSP P-300L control technology.
“Research and reference to other operators lead us to invest in [Okuma],” says Saunders & Ward General Manager Ben Rolliston. “The reputation of the high-quality Okuma, along with what was considered competitive pricing and back-up service and training made it a stand-out for us.
“The ease of programming, the increase in productivity, speed, simple repeatability of components and the very high-quality output will enable us to further improve our service to customers. Many of our jobs are in ones and twos, so rapid tooling changes and repeatability is seen as critical, and the new machine provides all of this with fantastic performance.”
Saunders & Ward has the capacity to undertake work Australia-wide, covering projects such as: specialised structural steel for industry and mining; storage tanks, pressure vessels, conveyers, hoppers and chutes; mine machinery; tunnel-boring equipment; marine and Antarctic equipment; complex mechanical engineering projects, including railway locomotive rebuilds; power generation asset refurbishment; and ship ride control foils.
“The Tasmanian economy is challenging at present,” says Rolliston. “But it has a strong future which we will be part of through investment in technology and diversification into other fields where precision engineering is key.”
K & R Purdon – Training benefits
K & R Purdon Engineering, a conventional general engineering shop established in 1963, has invested in its first Okuma CNC machine with the commissioning of an LB2000EX II MCx500 with OSP P-300L control.
“The investment in Okuma was attractive due to the full and exceptional service back-up and the unlimited training program, which extends for 12 months,” says owner Gerard Johnstone. “With the company’s strong focus on training and four apprentices working in the shop, training is an important factor so we are taking full advantage of the training offered by this equipment supplier,” he said.
“The performance of the machine is proving to be excellent in the production of spindles, rollers, pins, ball valves and seats, bushes and general engineering jobs for a large customer base. Already we have noticed significant cost benefits from this investment and this is opening up new avenues of business for us.”
Advantages achieved with the introduction of this latest technology are enabling the company to look at new jobbing work, especially low-volume jobs, with the machine’s expanded tooling capacity and speed resulting in reduced times with production output increasing by 10%. The current market for K & R Purdon is servicing customers within Tasmania, and with the Tasmanian economy improving, the company is looking to take a competitive advantage with the latest technology.
“Our operators love the new machine,” says Johnstone. “And with the positive benefits already showing, we are currently looking at a second machine.”
www.elph.com.au
www.currawongeng.com
www.delhyd.com.au
www.saunward.com.au
admin@krpurdon.com.au
www.okumaaustralia.com.au