Machine tools operated by laser and machining centres

Tender description

The following tender was cancelled and is currently awaiting the funder approval confirmation letter. The University of Birmingham invites tenders for supply of a reconfigurable laser micro processing workstation. The workstation will form part of a physical demonstrator, i.e. facilities created as part of the ESIF project, which will be used to facilitate/support the take-up of high impact manufacturing technologies by the SMEs in West Midlands. In this context, the workstation 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 the technology providers and define a joint co-funded R&D programme for the benefits of local businesses. Estimated total budget up to 850 000 GBP. This project is funded by the European Structural Investment Funds (ESIF) and the procurement is dependent on the final funding agreement. Please note: This tender was cancelled and is awaiting the funder approval letter. The University of Birmingham invites tenders for supply of a reconfigurable laser micro processing workstation. The workstation will form part of a physical demonstrator, i.e. facilities created as part of the ESIF project, which will be used to facilitate/support the take-up of high impact manufacturing technologies by the SMEs in West Midlands. In this context, the workstation 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 the technology providers and define a joint co-funded R&D programme for the benefits of local businesses. The workstation should be reconfigurable for realising a range of laser processing operations with high accuracy and repeatability, i.e. laser engraving/structuring, surface patterning and texturing, drilling and cutting, on complex/3D metal, ceramic and polymer substrates/parts. It should be a high stability Class 1 workstation with an environmental control (air-conditioning) that conforms to the latest machinery and laser health and safety standards. The workstation should integrate a femtosecond laser source and optionally additional nanosecond laser source. Both lasers should share the same beam delivery system that is modular and dust protected with sufficient flexibility/reconfigurability to integrate additional optics, e.g. focal -shaper and/or diffractive optics, and metrology and condition monitoring tools. Also, the system should incorporate a high dynamics 3D scan head, exchangeable f-theta telecentric lens, linear and rotary/swivel stages for realizing complex multi-axis laser processing strategies on axisymmetric, prismatic and free-form parts. The workstation should have a PC-based controller that supports G-code programming, the execution of multi-axis processing strategies and automated process setting up routines, and capabilities to easily combine different modes of operation. Finally, the workstation should incorporate hardware and software tools for automatic calibration after the change of optical components along the beam line, e.g. when changing f-theta lenses. Estimated total budget up to 850 000 GBP.