Published date: 12 July 2018
This notice was replaced on 2 April 2019
This notice does not contain the most up-to-date information about this procurement. The most recent notice is:
Awarded contract (published 2 April 2019)
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.
Contract summary
Industry
Miscellaneous special-purpose machinery - 42990000
Location of contract
BS16 7FS
Value of contract
£0
Procurement reference
tender_132386/687209
Published date
12 July 2018
Closing date
28 August 2018
Contract start date
1 November 2018
Contract end date
4 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
The National Composites Centre (NCC) is developing an Automated Preforming Cell to improve production time and quality of composite forming. To achieve this a verification system will be integrated into the cell to detect and analyse the quality of composite plies and preforms. This will input into decisions made by the NCC and our customers (aerospace, automotive and within other industries) to improve composite manufacturing processes.
During preforming there are many opportunities for defects to be introduced into the preform. These defects, such as fibre misalignment, wrinkles, and gaps, can cause a reduction in strength that may lead to failure later in assembly or in service. Such a failure could also potentially lead to a negative supplier reputation and in extreme cases could cause risk to the user. If these defects are not detected until the end of the manufacture process, the part may need to be scrapped costing additional time and money.
Typically preforms have minimal or no inspection prior to cure. The aim of this integrated in-process automated verification system is to detect these defects as early on in the manufacture of components as possible to reduce rejected components further along the manufacturing process.
About the buyer
Contact name
Helen Kendall
Address
The National Composites Centre
Emersons Green, Bristol
BS16 7FS
England
Website
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