Archer is proud to be featured in AMTIL April/May edition.
Collaboration is key to competing on the world stage
A machining project that brought Sandvik Coromant together with international manufacturer Chamberlain and New South Wales precision engineering firm Archer Enterprises is a classic example of how local manufacturers can compete on the world stage. The result of this three-way relationship was a first-of-its-kind tool.
Established in 1977, Archer is led by the third generation of the Byrne family. It has worked closely with Sandvik Coromant for 20 years. When new cutting tools are released, Archer is the first to ask to trial them and see how they can improve its business. Archer and Sandvik Coromant formed a close technology partnership years ago, which has led to them developing products together. Sandvik Coromant recently Introduced Archer to Australia’s largest manufacturer of commercial garage door openers, Chamberlain, which is part of the Chamberlain Group – the world’s biggest supplier of automatic garage door openers.
Archer was commissioned to develop custom tooling to help Chamberlain undertake a special project on its new multi-tasking Okuma CNC machining centre. There was instant synergy in the new relationship because Archer has specialised in using Okuma machines for as long as its Sandvik Coromant connection.
“We were asked to design and machine a 13mm hob arbor with a Capto C6 spindle interface,” said Operations Director Russell Byrne. “The smallest size that Sandvik Coromant offer is 16mm so we modified a C6 blank arbor. We chose to use 25Cr Mo 4 with tensile strength of 700N/square millimetre HB 270-325 to ensure its reliability and longevity.”
"As technology solution providers, this is typical of the work that we engage in,” added Managing Director Brad Byrne. “When a new product needs to be created, one which isn’t available on the market, we have the in-house capabilities to take it from concept to development and testing to manufacture.”
“This was the first time that we sought outside help for this kind of assistance and it was a challenge finding the right people who could take on such specialised work,” said Chamberlain’s Machining Supervisor Shane McParland. “We are very glad that Sandvik Coromant pointed us in the right direction. Chamberlain needed the new holder for a hob cutter that it was bringing in from overseas. Okuma had provided the standard fittings for its Multus, but because it was developing a new product prototype it needed to make a one-off part. Archer knew what to do and was able to turn the job around ahead of schedule so that Chamberlain’s design and machining process could continue unimpeded.
“We can’t speak highly enough of the team at Archer,” added McParland. “They understood exactly what we needed, Russell kept in constant contact with us, and we always knew where the project was at.
Having a technology partner like Archer means that when we decide to develop other new products in the future we will know exactly where to go to.”