Thales Australia continuing to invest in capability for Garden Island Defence Precinct, Sydney
Thales Australia’s recent acquisition and commission of a new Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Lathe is proving a game-changer for the Production teams at Garden Island in their mission to support the Royal Australian Navy to keep Australia safe.
The CNC lathe, a multi-axis fully automated machine controlled by computer numerical control software, creates complex three-dimensional parts in various materials with high precision. With this type of machinery, it is possible to drill, turn, mill, cut and perform other industrial operations to produce complex parts.
AWS Production Director, Andrew Field says, “For our teams, it means increased efficiency and, most importantly, enhanced safety. It’s another example of Thales continuing to invest in building capability for the Navy at Garden Island.”
Pierce Bolger, AWS Machinist and CNC lathe operator says, “The new CNC lathe is just 6-months old but has already increased our capability to deliver quality outcomes to support Navy.”
The new lathe has added features and improvements such as a four-axis configuration; meaning the variety of parts that can now be produced is more extensive. Due to fully automatic functioning, an advantage of the machine is its repeatability, reliability and consistent results for mass production projects. Accuracy is 100% which also means less wastage of raw materials which in turn reduces costs.
In addition to speed of generation, the CNC lathe also produces a wider variety of parts. Pierce adds, “Due to automated fabrication, we monitor the functioning of the system without manual intervention -which means a hands-off, safer work environment. The technology of the new CNC lathe also has extra safety features with more interlocks, checks, alarms, a safety door and a swarf conveyor which empties itself into a swarf bin.”
Higher efficiency is also achieved since CNC machines stop working as soon as any deficiency or error is traced. This immediate action streamlines processes, reduces unscheduled stoppages and improves overall efficiency.
Pierce says, “The majority of what we're making and repairing are replacement parts. Parts for the Destroyer, Guided Missile (DDG), a locknut for a rudder on a ship, an extraction tool for the locking bolts on the rudder of Sycamore, etc. Any and all parts that are required at short-notice, and parts that can’t be obtained from the logistics stores, can be rapidly produced for the customer.”
In one instance, a ship was departing dock within the week and there was an urgent need for a part. The team didn’t have sufficient time to source it externally, so manufactured the part themselves and the ship departed on schedule.
Production Line Manager, Mechanical, Steven Wilton highlights the benefits of direct discussion with the customer saying, “We have this capability on site at Garden Island and we speak directly to the customer about their requirements. We then reverse engineer it, produce it and provide it. You don’t have that benefit when you send a job to be outsourced externally.”