Machine tools operated by laser and machining centres

Tender description

This project is funded by the European Structural Investment Funds (ESIF) and the procurement is dependent on the final funding agreement. The University of Birmingham invites tenders for supply of a hybrid ultrasonic assisted high speed machining centre. The machine tool 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 machine tool will be used to develop new applications for the technology in collaboration with technology providers and undertake 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 University of Birmingham invites tenders for supply of a hybrid ultrasonic assisted high speed machining centre. The machining centre will be used to facilitate/support the take-up of hybrid machining technologies particularly for hard/brittle materials and advanced composites by the SMEs in West Midlands. In particular, it will be used to develop new applications with the technology provider 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 provider and define a joint co-funded R&D programme for the benefit of local businesses. General characteristics A machine tool that is capable of performing conventional high speed machining operations in particular milling and drilling as well as in a hybrid configuration involving ultrasonic assistance with high accuracy and repeat-ability, involving hard/brittle/abrasive materials such as ceramics, hardened alloys and composites. Specification 1) High speed machining centre with vertical spindle configuration; 2) Capability for 5-axis high speed machining of complex free form surfaces in various work-piece materials employing linear X,Y,Z drives and NC swivel/rotary tables; 3) Capability for hybrid ultrasonic assisted machining operations utilising integrated ultrasonic induction transducer in machining spindle; 4) High performance spindle capable of maximum rotational speed of 50 000 rpm (under ultrasonic and conventional machining) rated at a minimum of 15 kW at 100 % rotational speed; 5) Through spindle coolant delivery capability with maximum allowable machining pressure of 40 bar; 6) Spindle integrated ultrasonic transducer must be capable of generating vibration frequencies up to at least 20 kHz and with corresponding vibration amplitudes of up to 10 m; 7) Integrated ultrasonic transducer system must be capable of automatic resonance frequency detection during machining and automatic tuning of vibration frequency and amplitude detection; 8) High dynamics performance of linear drives with acceleration of at least 2 g and rapid traverse speed of at least 30 m/min. Travel of each linear axes should be at least 200 mm; 9) Direct torque motor powered NC swivel/rotary table with C-axis rotary table diameter of at least 250 mm and maximum rotational speed of at least 150 rpm; 10) High precision work-piece clamping system/chuck; 11) Probing systems for work-piece and cutting tool measurement/setup; 12) Interactive PC based controller capable of G-code programming and managing full 5-axis operation with ultrasonic parameter setting together with 3D CAD/CAM visualisation system; 13) Fast automatic tool changing capability with storage magazine capacity for at least 20 tools; 14) Pumping systems for internal and external fluid supply together with swarf filtration unit; 15) Built in connectivity to industry 4.0 enabled ‘smart’ devices; 16) Fully CE compliant; 17) Well defined and agreed workflow with time line from the purchase order through factory acceptance tests to the site acceptance tests and training. Optional component technologies 1) Touch probe system; 2) Metrology tools for in-process measurements of profiles and topographies.