REF: AEMRI-310-MRP - Mobile Robotic Platform

Tender description

TWI is one of the world’s foremost independent research and technology organisations, with expertise in solving problems in all aspects of manufacturing, fabrication and whole-life integrity management technologies. Established in Cambridge, UK in 1946 and with facilities across the globe, the company has a first class reputation for service through its teams of internationally respected consultants, scientists, engineers and support staff, whose knowledge and expertise is available to its Industrial Members as and when they require. This specification has been produced as part of an initiative known as AEMRI (Advanced Engineering Materials Research Institute), which is funded by the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) using European Regional Development Funds (ERDF). AEMRI seeks to create a unique facility housing a critical mass of equipment, expertise and resources. AEMRI provides an environment to test and prove the limits of performance of advanced materials. Through the use of advanced modelling and simulation methods, full, large-scale mechanical test structures will be designed and built upon finite element analysis (FEA) calculations. Advanced, automated non-destructive evaluation (NDE) techniques will be developed with the aim of saving the industry time and production costs as well as minimising the risk of catastrophic structural failures. AEMRI will deliver the objectives of the project through the following four technical strands:- - Modelling and Simulation of High Performance Materials and Structures. - Advanced Robotic Inspection of Complex Geometry Structures. - Inspection Systems for Very Large Structures for the Green Energy Sector. - Nuclear Fabrication Research Centre. TWI Technology Centre (Wales) has been using robots for automated Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) since 2012 and is continually working towards improving techniques. The use of Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) has increased in recent years due to their ability to operate while in contact with the ground and without an onboard human presence. UGVs can be used for many applications where it may be inconvenient, dangerous, or impossible to have a human operator present. The benefits of which are significant for NDT site based inspection. The use of UGV will support PhD programmes of work that TWI is undertaking as part of the AEMRI activity. The supplier will provide a single robust UGV complete with a cooperative robotic arm that is easily programmable, can interface with external equipment and can position NDT sensors with six degrees of freedom while supporting the inclusion of additional sensor inputs (such as adding LIDAR capability at a later date). Please ensure all communication, including queries, is sent via the Correspondence facility within In-Tend.