Investment in precision CNC machinery and technology has been a key factor for three Victorian manufacturers in adjusting to changing market conditions and ensuring they remain internationally competitive.
Hargo Engineering
Since 1976 Hargo Engineering has been providing specialist precision and repetitive engineering services to its customers across a broad industry customer base. The company specialises in CNC turning, milling and machining delivering precision engineering components to industries such as oil and gas, aerospace, defence, electronics and medical. Since its inception this now second generation family business has invested in its people and the latest technologies.
Hargo Engineering was founded in 1976 by Heinz Gogol in response to a need for precision engineering of small and very small components and with 16 years’ experience in German engineering supplying the watch industry, he soon built up a reputation for high quality and competitively priced components. Today the company is led by Heinz’s son Frank Gogol who, with his management team continues to service customers to the high standards set by his father along with continuing investment in technology.
Two of the latest investments have been in a high end Okuma CNC Lathe Model LT2000EX-2T-2MY with OSP-P300L control plus an Okuma MA400HA with OSP P200M Horizontal Machining Centre.
“The level of technical support we have received from Okuma has been excellent even when we purchased a second hand machine. The knowledge and service from the company’s service engineers provided a clear reason to purchase a new machine,” said Managing Director Frank Gogol. “Over the last 8 or 9 years Okuma has always kept our machines going and they are willing to provide training whenever we require it. Our skilled operators are always excited to use the new Okuma machines due to the ease of programming and capabilities,” he said.
“The company is fully accredited to AS9100 Quality Standard and has positive growth plans with an emphasis on export markets. The increased capacity on the new larger machines continues to make us more internationally competitive and this coupled with the recent acquisition of F & J Bushings, a specialist in the aerospace market plus new representatives in the USA will assist in this growth,” said Frank.
Total Tooling
Proudly designing and manufacturing precision metal stamping tooling to support its large metal stamping capability and fabricated components, Total Tooling is also a specialist in precision components from its extensive number of high speed Okuma machines producing from small items to large machining on its 4 metre, 5 face double column machining centre. The multiple 3 axis and 5 axis CNC machines combined with a 7 axis multi-tasking machine, enable the company to process any machining requirement.
Total Tooling Managing Director Slavko Habjan commented that his company was a precision engineering company with more than 30 years’ experience and a skilled staff of more than seventy. The company has had a long term relationship with Okuma and believes that it is one of the top machine suppliers with excellent service and back up providing the ultimate service.
The company has been and continues to be a major supplier to the Australian automotive vehicle plants but as they head towards closure, Total Tooling has a positive view looking forward as it diversifies into new areas of precision engineering with the latest in high end machines and technology.
“Okuma’s machines provide us with increased capacity enabling multiple high end precision components on the same set up, making us highly competitive and our skilled staff respect the Okuma brand with its user friendly controls and ease of programming,” said Slavko. "We are already producing a wide range of precision components for industries such as X-ray machines, heat shields and packaging machines and having worked within the demanding Toyota production system we are well ahead of many companies with systems and disciplines in quality on-time production,” he said.
Total Tooling customers are located throughout Victoria and South Australia and are serviced from the Croydon South plant with some components delivered nationwide and deliveries made to local customers for indirect export.
With extensive toolmaking and 3D design modelling expertise Total Tooling offers technical solutions directly involving customers in all stages of design and development.
This TS16949 Quality certified company also offers rapid prototyping from soft tooling, laser cutting and break pressing and facilitates assembly and testing into the development of prototypes.
“We are optimistic about the manufacturing future beyond the automotive manufacturing closures with our order book filling and we will be expanding our team of skilled machinists and programmers as we diversify,” said Slavko Habjan.
McMillan Engineering
McMillan Engineering Group was formed to incorporate large scale Industrial Hydraulic Services (IHS) and CP Engineering, bringing together more than 40 years of experience in hydraulic cylinder/system design and manufacture and over 20 years of sheet metal and component fabrication.
Utilising the combined skills of both companies and a skilled workforce of more than 50, the group is successfully embarking on large scale, complex projects both within Australia and overseas offering turn-key hydraulic solutions.
The company has moved from low level CNC machining with the purchase of the latest high level Okuma CNC Lathe Model Multus U4000-2SWx1500 with OSP-P300S Control and has taken full advantage of the extended training offered by the supplier.
“The decision to run with Okuma has simply been the best we have experienced bringing in process efficiencies, product design changes and product enhancements,” said Managing Director, Justin McMillan. “At the same time the new machine has brought about a cultural change within the company with our skilled staff wanting to operate the machine to further extend their skills. We are taking current processes and looking at ways to use the new machine to improve productivity,” he said.
Components being produced on the Okuma machine include hydraulic cylinder barrels or pistons, rods and numerous turned and milled components.
General Manager David Slatter commented that we always considered the Okuma machines to be the best and following our first machine we are now looking at further investment in the brand due to the experience and service levels we have experienced.
Looking to the future the company is looking to relocate within the next two years to meet expansion plans and has agents appointed in Asia, UAE, Ireland and UK with an emphasis on export sales in hydraulic cylinders used in the construction industry in particular. With export sales currently running at approximately 40% of overall sales, it provides a solid base to build on.
The move to high end machines is already making the company more competitive through the reduction in machining time, tool changes and quality of the finished products.
There is a cautious but optimistic air of confidence in the Victorian economy by McMillan Engineering Group with customers’ orders improving and a busy year ahead for the company. It is also anticipated that some manufacturing companies who have not invested in the future may not continue to be as competitive, opening up opportunities for advanced manufacturing for us commented Justin.
