Tender

Tender for the Supply and Installation of an Open Source Electron Beam Selective Melting 3D Printer or the University of Birmingham

THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

28 Sep 2023 at 11:51

Summary of the contracting process

The University of Birmingham is procuring a supply and installation of an open source electron beam selective melting 3D printer. This procurement falls under the goods category and aims to support the development of components for the UK's nuclear, space, and defence sectors. The tender deadline for submission is October 27, 2023, with the contract period set to start on November 1, 2023, and end on May 31, 2024.

This tender opportunity presents a chance for businesses specialising in the supply and installation of advanced 3D printing machinery to engage with the University of Birmingham and potentially other UK government organisations. Companies offering expertise in electron beam technology and materials processing would be well-suited to compete. The University seeks innovative solutions to drive joint R&D programmes and foster partnerships for the benefit of the UK's economy.

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Notice Title

Tender for the Supply and Installation of an Open Source Electron Beam Selective Melting 3D Printer or the University of Birmingham

Notice Description

The University of Birmingham invites tenders for supply of an open source electron beam selective melting (EBSM) 3D printing machine. The machine will be a part of an investment by the University of Birmingham to facilitate/support the development of components for the UK's nuclear, space, and defence sectors. In this context, the machine will be used to develop new applications for the technology in collaboration with the end-users and carry out feasibility studies and pilot projects to address the specific requirements of these sectors. Therefore, it will be required as part of the project to build strong partnerships with the technology providers and define a joint co-funded R&D programme for the benefits of the UK's economy. The machine should be capable of 3D printing refractory and structural metals and alloys using focused electron beam. The machine should allow full control on the process parameters (power/heat input, electron beam parameters, scanning strategies, materials dosing, etc...). There should be very limited restrictions on the types of materials (in powder form) that can be utilised using this platform. The system should be fully equipped with a process control interface, while being open source with respect to the process parameters. The build chamber should permit the usage of limited quantities of powders, allowing quick optimisation runs to performed and ease of cleaning following the completion of builds. The University requests quotations for a rent-to-purchase plan with ownership transferring at the end of the rental term upon payment of a nominal fee, alongside a quotation for purchasing outright. This project may be funded by the University of Birmingham or; - Research Councils UK (RCUK), the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils. - Other government organisations - UK industry

Lot Information

Lot 1

APPENDIX A SPECIFICATION OF REQUIREMENTS The University of Birmingham invites tenders for supply of an open source electron beam selective melting (EBSM) 3D printing machine. The machine will be a part of an investment by the University of Birmingham to facilitate/support the development of components for the UK's nuclear, space, and defence sectors. In this context, the machine will be used to develop new applications for the technology in collaboration with the end-users and carry out feasibility studies and pilot projects to address the specific requirements of these sectors. Therefore, it will be required as part of the project to build strong partnerships with the technology providers and define a joint co-funded R&D programme for the benefits of the UK's economy. The machine should be capable of 3D printing refractory and structural metals and alloys using focused electron beam. The machine should allow full control on the process parameters (power/heat input, electron beam parameters, scanning strategies, materials dosing, etc...). There should be very limited restrictions on the types of materials (in powder form) that can be utilised using this platform. The system should be fully equipped with a process control interface, while being open source with respect to the process parameters. The build chamber should permit the usage of limited quantities of powders, allowing quick optimisation runs to performed and ease of cleaning following the completion of builds. The system should be flexible enough to conduct electron beam welding trials (bead on plate) or perform partial penetration on the substrate. General characteristics 1. Electron beam * Power: The system should be equipped with electron beam gun with a maximum power of 6 kW, with the power input being fully controllable by the user. * Electron beam position/resolution: The electron beam size needs to be smaller or equal to 250 mm (full width -half power) for the entire beam power range. * Electron beam speed: Electron beam deflection speed of >2000 m/s is required during 3D printing operation. * Electron beam deflection angle: The electron beam deflection angle should cover the full build area. 2. Process chamber * Build Volume: The system needs to have a small build volume (minimum 10 cm in diameter x 10 cm in height) for limited powder usage and quick material changeover. The build should be able to start with limited powder quantities (e.g. 1 cm height) * Build platform carrier: Resolution of the build platform carrier in the vertical z-direction (build direction) should be 5 mm (or smaller). * Layer thickness: The system should permit full control on powder layer thickness, including within the same build. * Build platform heating: The build plate needs to be heated and maintain the processing temperature up to at least 1200 degC to in-situ relieve the residual stresses, while should enabling fast and efficient heating. Preheating using the electron beam should avoid interaction the powder-electron interactions (smoke-events). * Recoater system: The recoater system should allow recoating spherical and non-spherical powders. * Auxiliary ports: The system should have auxiliary ports to allow for in-situ instrumentation that can be integrated to the system software by the client. * Vacuum quality: The base pressure should reach 10-6 mbar region in the main build chamber and in the electron gun, with high vacuum purity and optimum beam quality * Process monitoring: The system should have the capability to monitor the build process using an electron back scatter detector, as well as a viewport. 3. System Software * System source code: The system should be fully open with the code for the control software available under open-source license to allow the users to set the desired beam power and beam path to allowing for full process control for research purposes. The preferred purchasing type for this project is on a rent-for-purchase basis with ownership transferring to the University at the end of the rental period following payment of a nominal fee. An outright purchase option is also possible.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-040608
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028614-2023
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

42 - Industrial machinery


CPV Codes

42990000 - Miscellaneous special-purpose machinery

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Sep 20232 years ago
Submission Deadline
27 Oct 2023Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2023 - 31 May 2024 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
Contact Name
Emily Villers
Contact Email
e.villers@bham.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B15 2TT
Post Town
Birmingham
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
TLG31 Birmingham

Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Edgbaston
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Edgbaston

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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