2884/511/JS/AMRC/20 - Real time monitoring and control for automation

The University of Sheffield wishes to invite tenders for a 'Real Time Monitoring and Control for Automation' system on behalf of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre at Catcliffe, South Yorkshire.

Scope of Requirement

AMRC Integrated Manufacturing Group have a requirement for capability to measure the accuracy of multiple targets in six degrees of freedom. We require a system to improve robot path accuracy by measure and correct methodology, stream data such as robot positions to an external system for Digital twin activities, and a method to visualise robot path accuracy by comparison of programmed paths versus actual to continue to build upon previous work in improving robotic accuracy.

The system must be expandable to increase/add additional work area and be moveable between areas and robotic systems. This would mean that the proposed system must not be a permanent fixture / limited in use to the installed cell or to the connected robotic system.

The system is to be initially installed into a high accuracy robotic manufacturing test cell workspace of volume 6x6x3m (we currently do not have a CAD illustration of the space the cell will occupy). The intended use is to track the robotic end-effector, relative to a work object (a designated feature within the workspace). The system should be able to improve both the static point accuracy (move-measure-correct) as well as dynamic path accuracy at a rate of several times per second and ensure that the path followed by the robot is as close to the programmed position as reasonably possible. The system should also be able to output telemetry data on actual vs programmed path for analysis.

The system will not be a permanent feature of accurate robotics work area and it should be able to be moved to other robotic cells for use. E.g. another use case would be that the system can be expanded (with more equipment such as additional cameras / sensors) to cover a cell volume of 10 x 10 x 3m housing a robotic serial arm on a linear conveyance track.

The data captured from the tracking system will used to update the robot path to achieve higher accuracy. Data captured from the tracking system can be sent to update a digital twin at AMRC. Software provided can compare a planned robot path with the actual robot path to visualise accuracy. The addition of more sensors/cameras/trackers can be used to expand the work area to cover a wider range of the workshop.

Tender Process and Documentation: This procurement is an open procedure conducted in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015

The ITT can be downloaded by registering and expressing your interest on the University`s e-tendering system https://in-tendhost.co.uk/Sheffield

If you have any questions or comments in relation to this tender they must be submitted via the In-tend System.

Completed tenders must be returned through the same e-tendering system

Closing date for receipt of tenders: Tuesday 4th May 2021 at 12 noon (UK time)

Additional information: https://www.in-tendhost.co.uk/sheffield/