Published date: 9 December 2020

Last edited date: 7 January 2021

Awarded contract - This means that the contract has been awarded to a supplier.


Closing: 12 October 2020, 12pm

Contract summary

Industry

  • Automation system - 48921000

Location of contract

B15 2TT

Value of contract

£89,927

Procurement reference

SC8615/20

Published date

9 December 2020

Closing date

12 October 2020

Closing time

12pm

Contract start date

27 November 2020

Contract end date

29 January 2021

Contract type

Supply contract

Procedure type

Open procedure (above threshold)

Any interested supplier may submit a tender in response to an opportunity notice.

This procedure can be used for procurements above the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

No

Description

This project is funded by the European Structural Investment Funds (ESIF) and the procurement is dependent on the final funding agreement.
The University of Birmingham invites tenders for the supply of three machine vision systems and one laser profiler. The machine vision systems will be integrated into automation systems and robotic systems to form part of physical demonstrators, i.e. facilities created as part of the ESIF project, which will be used to facilitate/support the take-up of high-impact automation technologies by SMEs in the West Midlands. In this context, the systems will be used to develop new applications for the technology in collaboration with technology providers and carry out feasibility studies and pilot projects to address the specific requirements of local SMEs. Therefore, it will be required as part of the project to build strong partnerships with technology providers and define a joint co-funded R&D programme for the benefit of local businesses.

The machine vision systems could be used as automated inspection tools for products such as electronic equipment, vehicle parts, metal components, food, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors. The required system functions include presence/absence detection, position and alignment detection, dimension measurement, flaw detection, counting, defect inspection, character recognition, 2D code and barcode code reading. The systems can be used for real-time and automated inspection on production lines.

The machine vision systems should be easily integrated with industrial robots including TechMan, KUKA LBR iiwa, and Staubli robots to enable vision-guided robot motion (visual servoing). Direct communication between vision system controller and robot controller should be easily established and the settings easily configured. Reliable and stable calibration should be easily carried out to link robot and vision system.

The machine vision systems should include cameras, lenses, lighting units, controllers, PC software, cables and other accessories. Different functions should be included in system software, which are easy for operators to use.

Award information

Awarded date

27 November 2020

Contract start date

27 November 2020

Contract end date

31 December 2020

Total value of contract

£89,927

This contract was awarded to 1 supplier.

Keyence UK Ltd

Address

Avebury House
219-225 Avebury Boulevard
Milton Keynes
MK9 1AU

Reference

No reference - other

Supplier is SME?

Yes

Supplier is VCSE?

No

About the buyer

Contact name

Thomas Hasson

Address

Edgbaston
BIRMINGHAM
B152TT
England

Email

T.R.Hasson@bham.ac.uk