Consolidation Station for COMPASS (Composites at Speed and Scale) Facility

The University of Sheffield wishes to invite tenders for a 'Consolidation Station' on behalf of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, Castings Group at Catcliffe, South Yorkshire.

The AMRC has recently won HICOMS funding for an 'automated, large scale composites manufacturing centre', including a 'fully automated layup and consolidation cell' which will incorporate a 'Consolidation Station'.

Within the 'Fully Automated Layup and consolidation cell' the 'Consolidation Station' will sit alongside a variety of other equipment, and will be in close proximity to the following:-

-High Volume Deposition Cell - including Robot arms and guide rails

-Press

-Stringers Table

Please note that it is anticipated that the 'Consolidation Station' will be required to be ready for installation and SAT no earlier than March 2025 due to building of the COMPASS facility which is currently under construction.

Use and Description

The 'Consolidation Station' is to be used for manufacturing research into the production of large polymer composite components using several potential processes, including (but not limited to): -

-Dry fibre pre-forming

-Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM)

-Gap RTM/ Infusion

-Wet Compression Moulding and Compression Moulding of pre-preg.

The 'Consolidation Station' will be used with a large pick and place robot system (known within the AMRC as the High Volume Deposition Cell (HVDC) for the placement of plies). The HVDC is will robotically place fabric or prepreg plies onto the tool in the 'Consolidation Station'. After a number of plies have been placed, a membrane/diaphragm will be positioned over the tool and air evacuated between the membrane/diaphragm and tool to consolidate the plies with atmospheric pressure. During this consolidation process the membrane/diaphragm/tool/plies will be heated and cooled to melt and set a polymer binder

The 'Consolidation Station' is expected to have significant flexibility in its range of use and application, unlike a more dedicated production solution.

In summary the design, build, Delivery, Installation/Commissioning/Acceptance Testing (FAT and SAT), Training, documentation (in English), warranty and annual service/maintenance are to be provided by the successful tenderer.

Tender Process and Documentation:

This procurement is an open procedure

The ITT can be downloaded by registering and expressing your interest on the University`s e-tendering system in-tendhost.co.uk/Sheffield ↗

If you have any questions or comments in relation to this tender they must be submitted via the In-tend System, this can be accessed at in-tendhost.co.uk/Sheffield ↗

Completed tenders must be returned through the same e-tendering system.

Closing date for receipt of tenders: Friday 26th April 2024 at 12 noon (UK time).

Additional information: All expressions of interest must be made through The University of Sheffield's e-tendering portal:

www.in-tendhost.co.uk/sheffield/ ↗

This is an open-tender exercise . The ITT can be downloaded by registering and expressing an interest on The University of Sheffield's e-tendering system:-

www.in-tendhost.co.uk/sheffield/ ↗

If you have any questions or comments in relation to this tender they must be submitted by the In-Tend system. This can be accessed at www.in-tendhost.co.uk/sheffield/ ↗

Completed tenders must be returned through the same e-tendering system.

Closing date for receipt of tenders is - Friday 26th April 2024 at 12 noon (UK time)

Please note:

The University of Sheffield is not a contracting authority for the purposes of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU) as amended by the Public Procurement (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020.

The University reserves the right from time to time to voluntarily operate under the Public Contract Regulations (as defined above) on a case by case basis. Otherwise, advertisement of any contract in Find a Tender Service or Contracts Finder is at the sole discretion of the University and is undertaken on a voluntary basis with no implied obligation to comply with the procurement legislation.

For the avoidance of doubt, this procurement is not subject to the Public Contract Regulations (as defined above).

Delivery notes:-

Delivery (plus installation/commissioning/acceptance) to AMRC Factory 2050, Europa Avenue, Tinsley, Sheffield, S9 1ZA