Tender for the Provision of an Extra-Large Scale Robotic arm 3D printer for the ERDF Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre (MFCIC)

Tender description

The focus of the MFCIC is advanced materials for fuel cells. The University requires a suite of modular low power fuel cells units (PEM, SOFC, etc.) which can be used to test our materials and to conduct condition-monitoring experiments. A suite of cells and associated hydrogen generation facilities will also be required. These units will also be used in our teaching/training activities. A wide range of liquid and gaseous fuels can be reformed into hydrogen. Our activities in this field will include: I)exploring metallic and organic/inorganic catalyst materials produced via wet-chemical synthesis ii)bimetallic catalysts will also be explored where the active nanomaterial is immobilised onto \"larger\" micro materials which, results in greater surface areas but keep costs low; iii) exploring a range of mesoporous oxides as heterogeneous catalysts with varying compositions, surface structure and functionality towards clean-up efficiency iv)coating of identified catalysts onto a range of materials such as planar and 3D microstructures. A catalytic testing rig is required to measure the efficiency/effectiveness of our materials. One lot is required for purchase: MMU requires a 3D printer capable of printing industrial scale objects from a variety of plastics and advanced composites linked to the MFCIC. This tender may be fulfilled with an existing product however it is anticipated that the printer may need to be a bespoke unit constructed from an industrial scale 6 axis robotic arm and one or more print heads that are capable of large scale printing of pellet feedstock integrated into a single system by the supplier.