Published date: 28 September 2023

Closed opportunity - This means that the contract is currently closed. The buying department may be considering suppliers that have already applied, or no suitable offers were made.


Closing: 27 October 2023, 12pm

Contract summary

Industry

  • Miscellaneous special-purpose machinery - 42990000

Location of contract

B15 2TT

Value of contract

£0 to £325,000

Procurement reference

SC11994/23

Published date

28 September 2023

Closing date

27 October 2023

Closing time

12pm

Contract start date

1 November 2023

Contract end date

31 May 2024

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

The University of Birmingham invites tenders for supply of an open source electron beam selective melting (EBSM) 3D printing machine. The machine will be a part of an investment by the University of Birmingham to facilitate/support the development of components for the UK's nuclear, space, and defence sectors. In this context, the machine will be used to develop new applications for the technology in collaboration with the end-users and carry out feasibility studies and pilot projects to address the specific requirements of these sectors. Therefore, it will be required as part of the project to build strong partnerships with the technology providers and define a joint co-funded R&D programme for the benefits of the UK's economy.
The machine should be capable of 3D printing refractory and structural metals and alloys using focused electron beam. The machine should allow full control on the process parameters (power/heat input, electron beam parameters, scanning strategies, materials dosing, etc...). There should be very limited restrictions on the types of materials (in powder form) that can be utilised using this platform.

The system should be fully equipped with a process control interface, while being open source with respect to the process parameters. The build chamber should permit the usage of limited quantities of powders, allowing quick optimisation runs to performed and ease of cleaning following the completion of builds.

The University requests quotations for a rent-to-purchase plan with ownership transferring at the end of the rental term upon payment of a nominal fee, alongside a quotation for purchasing outright.

This project may be funded by the University of Birmingham or;
- Research Councils UK (RCUK), the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils.
- Other government organisations
- UK industry


All information and tender documents available via our tendering portal: www.in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofbirmingham/aspx/Home

More information

Additional text

All information and tender documents available via our tendering portal: www.in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofbirmingham/aspx/Home

About the buyer

Contact name

Emily Villers

Address

Edgbaston
BIRMINGHAM
B152TT
England

Email

e.villers@bham.ac.uk