Forging machines

Tender description

The University requires a Supplier to design, manufacture, install and Commission a multi-functional open, closed and isothermal forging press and manipulator. This press and manipulator will be highly integrated and will require Industry 4 levels of control, accuracy and repeatability in order to provide a highly instrumented system which can record and control all process inputs and outputs necessary to understand and record forging conditions within each mode of operation. The system will be installed at University of Strathclyde Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), Inchinnan Glasgow. The press/manipulator will be housed in a purpose built extension of current buildings. The University requires a Supplier to design, manufacture, install and Commission a multi-functional open, closed and isothermal forging press and manipulator. This press and manipulator will be highly integrated and will require Industry 4 levels of control, accuracy and repeatability in order to provide a highly instrumented system which can record and control all process inputs and outputs necessary to understand and record forging conditions within each mode of operation. The system will be installed at University of Strathclyde Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), Inchinnan Glasgow. The press/manipulator will be housed in a purpose built extension which will be built as part of this project. The press will support the development of a wide range of improved, high integrity metal alloys for high temperature and other demanding applications. It will address the requirement for a representative, pilot scale facility to establish the processing parameters required for the production of advanced alloy forgings and to characterise the final materials and products. It will also offer a capability to provide next generation constitutive and microstructural formulations to validate mathematical modelling to put the science into the “black art” of forging. The AFRC requires the forge facility to investigate various aspects of open die, closed die and isothermal forging capability. The system shall be based upon a hydraulic press capable of operating up to 1200 T in open die mode with a 2000 T capability in closed die and isothermal mode. The proposed press will be supported by a manipulator, tool-train and turntable. The press shall offer several different forging modes to enable ingot upset and reduction, and allow vertical extrusion with appropriate. Tooling where required the manipulator shall allow handling of the ingot between the press and ancillary equipment, for use in different integrated forging modes. It shall collect the ingot from a furnace, operate with the press during forging, and return it to a furnace or on the exit table of the forge. The manipulator will be developed in line with the press to ensure movement of the workpiece at the required feeds and speeds.