Commissioning of high-tech precision machine further enhances capability of long established manufacturer
Long established family manufacturing and supply company Norman G Clark (A/Asia) Pty Ltd has further advanced its precision manufacturing capability with the commissioning of the latest Okuma CNC machine cell.
“The new cell incorporates an Okuma Multus B300II Wx900 with OSP-P300SA Control, gear cutting package, workpiece gauging station and Fanuc M710iC/45M robot loading system. Okuma Australia was fully supported by members of P.I.P.E. partners (Partners in Productive Expertise) in the design and commissioning of the cell to comply with the performance criteria mandates established by our company,” said Norman G Clark Manufacturing Manager, Liam Mitchell. “This follows the introduction of the Okuma CNC Lathe Model LB3000EX-II with hobbing functionality some three years earlier. Both machines complement an extensive range of Gear Cutting, Slotting, CNC Lathes, Broaching, Horizontal Palletising CNC Machining and Vertical CNC Machining Centres operated by the company,” he said.
Norman G Clark celebrated its centennial year in 2019 and this family owned Australian business can be considered one of Australia’s most diversified manufacturing and supply businesses servicing industries such as Heavy Vehicle, Mining, Off Road Vehicle, Defence, Power Generation, Food, Packaging, Paper, Forestry and other associated industries.
The cornerstone of the business stems from a licencing agreement granted to the company in 1963 by the original Horton Enterprise to manufacture the Horton Fan Clutches and Nexen Air Champ Industrial Clutches, Brakes and Tension Control Equipment. The company also distributes an exhaustive range of Industrial and Off Road Equipment from principles based in USA and Europe.
The company is an OEM supplier to all the heavy transport manufacturers in Australia and also to the defence industry.
Complementing these products are the company’s general engineering capabilities which include CNC Turning, Milling and Drilling including design and fabrication to customers specifications.
“The introduction of the latest Okuma CNC machine cell has made a significant impact on our production with the high tolerance components now produced on one machine instead of four different machines, saving on both time and the handling of components,” said Liam Mitchell. “With fewer operations required and tooling already in the machine, the overall time saving we have achieved in the set up has greatly increased our production capacity and quality output. These are important factors as the company continues to grow and as an OEM supplier, particularly to the heavy transport manufacturers. Precision, consistency and high quality output is vitally important,” he said.
Liam also commented that the positive impact on the machine operators witnessing the consistently high quality output over extended production runs. The ease of the operating systems and the fact the company is investing in the latest technology is greatly appreciated as they line up to use the new machines. He also commented that the technical support and training from Okuma is just exceptional.
“At Okuma we congratulate this 3rd generation 100 + year old company as it continues to grow and invest in the future of manufacturing in Australia. It continues to service a wide spectrum of industries with a very broad range of high quality respected products. The business philosophy Norman G Clark (A/Asia) Pty Ltd is closely matched with that of Okuma and we look forward to assisting the development of this company as it continues to make history in Australian manufacturing,” said Okuma Managing Director, Dean McCarroll.
