Automated Preforming of Composite Components to be located at the National Composites Centre

The National Composites Centre plans intends to procure a series of equipment to provide the capability within its Automated preforming Cell.

The cell will consist of the following components:

Forming System – A forming system is required to consolidate composite dry-fibre and prepreg materials into 3D shaped preforms. The forming system should be capable of forming reactive or non-reactive binder system. The components produced by this system will be finished by manufacturing processes such as Resin Infusion, High Pressure Resin Transfer Moulding (HP-RTM), Traditional RTM, Thermoforming, Compression Moulding and Injection Moulding. The NCC is looking for state of the art equipment which will enable further research and optimisation of processes.

Tooling – The tooling should be fitted to the forming system and will need to be matched tooling to ensure consolidation and geometry features are maintained during binder activation. The use of non-metallic materials for rapid and low cost tooling needs to be investigated alongside the use of Additive Layer Manufacturing technology to incorporate geometrical features and heating/cooling channels to enable modular tooling quick change-overs.

Verification – A verification method is required to ensure the preforms are being produced to specification and tolerances are adhered to. The verification method will not be limited to just vision and thermal, and suppliers are encouraged to show novel methods to verify preforms maximising in-process verification to eliminate end of line checks.

Trimming – A trimming method for final trim of preforms is required. The NCC has researched into ultrasonic trimming but is keen to explore other options as well. The components to be trimmed will be binder activated preforms. The component thickness could range from 2mm – 100mm. The trimming system should be an automated system; mounted as an end-of-arm tool on the robot or by other means of automation.

This Prior Information Notice (PIN) serves to alert the marketplace to this opportunity and the NCC invites interested contractors to lodge an initial expression of interest as detailed herein. Contractors may also provide any other information which they feel may support the NCC with scoping and planning for this exercise.

Following receipt of Expressions of Interest, it is currently the intention of the NCC to utilise an Open Procedure route under the Public Procurement Regulations 2015, although this may be reviewed following the outcome of this PIN.

Details and guidance on the procurement process will be provided within the tender documentation, including help and support in responding via the e-tendering portal.

Interested Contractors can express their interest in this opportunity via the University of Bristol e-tendering portal: https://tenders.bris.ac.uk

Tender documents will be finalised following supplier feedback and issued thereafter. (Note: There are currently no tender documents at this stage - th