University of Sunderland - 3D Metal Printer - AWARD

Preamble

Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing Project (SAM Project) is a ?5.1M funded project (ERDF and University of Sunderland). The project is to support product / process development and implementation of technology for SME manufacturers within the NE LEP area.

The support covers several work streams:

1. Practical engagement - utilisation of a Design or Process & Supply Chain or Maintenance Specialist for a minimum of 2 days in support of an issue for quick support resolution (Fully Funded)
2. Research Support - development of a product or process using research support from the academic skills within the University giving the SME the IP developed (Fully Funded)
3. Grant - ?800K available in matched funded support for capital / validation processes or introduction of technology
4. Capital technology centre - ?1M of capital available to support SME use for R&D work based within The Industry Centre, University of Sunderland (Fully Funded)
5. Supply Chain Potential - New products to market will be developed and issued for the regional SME's to become new suppliers to a developing market for growth (Fully Funded)

This project envisages engagement with over 400 SME Manufacturers across the North East and is an integral part of the Regional Strategy for growth.

Overall Requirement Specification for the Authority

Metal 3D printer which produces parts by any suitable appropriate technology, such as Laser Metal Deposition, Direct Metal Laser Sintering, Atomic Diffusion Additive Manufacturing or Bound Metal Deposition.

If the process does not directly form the finished product then all downstream processes and equipment such as Wash/Debind stations and Sinter Furnace ovens must be included in the offer.

Any shielding gas requirements need to be suitably and clearly identified and the options for supply of these presented.

Typical printed part resolution of 50 microns.

Build/print area of 250mm x 200mm x 150m or greater to enable production of real engineering components via Metal Additive Manufacturing.

The proposed solution must be capable of printing in a range of materials including, but not limited to:

Stainless Steel, Tool Steel, Titanium, Aluminium

Any proposal should also clearly identify the issues, time, procedures and waste associated with changing from one material type/powder to another.

Material costs should be identified for all 4 of the typical materials specified above, along with resultant typical yield from the process, and identifying again waste in changing material.

Machine cleaning and HSE issue to be clearly identified.

Extraction and Shield gas supply to be clearly identified as appropriate and costs identified along with any other requirement that will be necessary to support the complete installation and operation of the equipment.

Software for processing the CAD data into the suitable print file and for co...