Thales Selects Advanced Okuma Machines for Tough, Accurate and Reliable Light Arms Production
Offering world class technically sophisticated solutions for defence and civil areas, Thales Australia has further advanced its precision capability with the addition of technically advanced Okuma Multi-tasking CNC Lathes and Vertical Machine Centres into its Lithgow Arms Factory.
The new machines include two MB56 Vertical Machining Centres, two Twin Star LT2000 Horizontal Multi-tasking Machines plus one LU3000EX 2-Saddle CNC Lathe, complementing a number of other Okuma machines in this sophisticated plant.
Used in the manufacture of complex components in bolt action civilian firearms, the new machines provide greatly enhanced efficiency, reducing the use of 3 – 4 machine operations to just one, with dramatic savings in production time with world-class precision output.
Okuma machines were primarily selected for their advanced technology and capability however, Okuma’s high levels of after sales service, experience, knowledgeable personnel plus the reach back to the parent company in Japan through the Australian run company, were all major factors in the selection process, said Bruce Hutton Thales Manufacturing Operations Manager. He also commented on the excellent relationship his company had with this outstanding high technology machinery supplier in Australia.
Phil Hayes, Managing Director of Okuma Australia and New Zealand commented “Thales and Okuma worked as a team to settle on the high level of Okuma technology that would best suit Thales requirements and then we implemented it. Our nationally available technical resources allow us to support Thales impressive program without interruption to our overall support for all customers. Investment in new technology will see Australian manufacturing become more and more effective in these days of globally dynamic activity,” he said.
Building on more than a century of Thales military manufacturing expertise in Lithgow, NSW, the new LA101 CrossOver rifle was released earlier in the year. It is the first civilian rifle to be designed and built in Lithgow for over 40 years, and is the only mass produced civilian rifle currently being manufactured in Australia.
Aimed at the Hunting / Target domestic and international markets with strong export potential, the manufacture of this rifle is in many ways further enhancing Australian manufacturing capabilities with its modern tactical styling, high accuracy and extreme reliability. The LA101 CrossOver firearm is Australian designed, developed and manufactured with more than 92% Australian manufacturing content. The stock includes an integral moulded trigger guard and butt hook for improved prone hold and is made from the same advanced injection moulded nylon as used in rifles developed for the Australian Defence Force.
Each military grade steel barrel is cold forged and manufactured to the same high standards as barrels used in military rifles, ensuring the finished CrossOver Hunting / Varmint / Target rifle with modern tactical styling, has outstanding accuracy and reliability.
Okuma’s Applications Engineer, Karl Corry, has a competitive shooting background and therefore a comprehensive understanding of the working of most firearms. As part of the turnkey project, this background helped with his understanding of the complex parts Okuma was tasked with setting up and machining on the LT2000 machine.
“The parts in this project were some of the most dimensionally complex I have been involved in during my machining career and to see these coming off the machine completely finished and to the exacting tolerances was a great testament to the machines capability and the experience within Okuma to achieve this outcome,” he said.
The statement ‘Tough-Accurate-Reliable’ included in the Lithgow Arms sales brochure for this rifle also sits comfortably with Okuma.
Thales Australia operates from 35 locations and employs around 3,200 personnel within Australia. Thales globally is a world leader in defence, security, aerospace and transportation markets.
