The Supply Installation and Commissioning of Ancillary equipment to support the delivery of High Pre

Descriptions

The University of Bristol is carrying out this procurement function on behalf of the National Composite Centre, (NCC). The NCC has already procured a Composite Manufacturing Press (Large Press), with a bolster size of 3 600 mm x 2 400 mm and a closing force of 36 000 kN, which will be delivered, installed, commissioned and ready for use by the 2nd quarter 2014; in the new building extension to the NCC. This press will initially support the following capabilities; High pressure Resin Transfer Moulding (HP-RTM), and Thermoplastic Forming.The National Composites Centre is now looking to procure ancillary equipment (details can be found in the lots below), in order to support the delivery of the above capabilities. It is anticipated that all equipment will be delivered, installed, commissioned and ready for use in a phased approach starting at the beginning of quarter one 2014 running through to the end of quarter three 2014.Allocation of the Lots:Lot One – A Hydraulic Press for Composite Component Manufacture (Small Press)A Hydraulic Press for research and development use, in an industrial scale, high rate composite component manufacturing environment. This Press will be floor mounted and used in a variety of thermoset and thermoplastic manufacturing processes. As a guide the press will have a bolster size of circa 1 500 mm x 1 000 mm with a maximum closing force in the region of 8 000k N, maximum closing speed of 500 mm per second and incorporate an active method of ensuring parallelism of the bolsters. The press will require integral heated platens circa 300°C. The equipment will be used to develop smaller, higher complexity components and as a 'development capability' before the capability is rolled out to be used on larger components on the large press.Lot Two – Die splitting, transportation and storage capability for two part metallic press tools of up to 100 tonne total massThe NCC requires equipment to facilitate the transportation, storage and splitting of two part metallic press tooling of up to a total mass of 100 tonne. The transportation device will be self-powered with a remote control and track-following-facility. It is also required to be able to load and unload the tool/s to the press, storage area and die splitting facility. The floor mounted die-splitting device will be required to lift and rotate a range of die sizes and masses up to the full 100 tonne die. This device will also be required to load and unload dies from flatbed trailers on delivery. The die storage facility will be required to support a range of die sizes and masses up to a tool of 100 tonne and will integrate with the die transportation device to facilitate loading and unloading of the dies to the storage facility.Lot Three – High Pressure Resin Transfer Mixing and Infusion Equipment (HP-RTM)A high pressure resin mixing and infusion equipment machine will be required to mix and inject epoxy or polyurethane resin systems at pressures of more than 100 bar, and have the capability of incorporating integral release agents. This equipment must be capable of supporting both the large and small presses.Lot Four – Tempering Units -Tool heating and cooling unit(s)A Tool heating and cooling unit for the use on a two part metallic tool of up to 100 tonne total mass. The unit will be required to heat the tool using oil as the heat transfer medium, up to a temperature of circa 300°C and maintain the desired temperature during a production run. The unit will have a forced cooling capability to return the tooling to ambient to facilitate accelerated tool changes.Lot Five - Automation equipment for the loading and unloading of a composite manufacturing pressWe require equipment for the automated loading and unloading of materials that are used in a variety of thermoset and thermoplastic manufacturing processes, into both the small and large composite manufacturing press. As a guide bolster sizes are circa 1 500 mm x 1 000 mm and 3 600 mm x 2 400 mm For some processes the material temperature could be up to 400°C whilst being loaded into the press'.Lot Six – Infrared heating capability for thermoplastic preformsA double sided, infrared heating capability is required for the thermal conditioning of thermoplastic preforms prior to processing in a press, of bolster size circa 1 500 mm x 1 000 mm and 3 600 mm x 2 400 mm. The system will need to have sufficient flexibility, feedback and control to enable the heating of a variety of different thermoplastic materials and ensure uniformity of temperature across the whole preform.We require all potential suppliers to complete and return the PQQ, (by 12.00 midday 19.7.2013), the short PQQ as an expression of interest, indicating which lots they wish to bid for.To obtain the PQQ you must log in to ProContract and register using the link below:https://tender.bris.ac.uk/procontract/bristol/supplier.nsf/frm_home?openForm