Multi-Material Drop-on-Demand (DoD) Inkjet 3D Printing System

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

This tender seeks the supply, installation, and commissioning of a Multi-Material Drop-on-Demand (DoD) Inkjet 3D Printing / Deposition System. The system is intended to support advanced research across multiple disciplines at Atlantic Technological University (ATU). The contract will establish a single-operator framework agreement for this purpose.

The scope of work encompasses the provision of a specific type of advanced 3D printing technology. Key activities and system requirements include:

• System Provision: Supply of a Multi-Material Drop-on-Demand (DoD) Inkjet 3D Printing / Deposition System.
• Research Support: The system must be suitable for advanced research in:
• Advanced manufacturing
• Smart materials
• Biomedical engineering
• Pharmaceutical
• Biosensors
• Functional coatings
• Platform Capabilities: The system must function as a flexible, open, high-precision research platform capable of:
• Multi-material printing
• Handling a wide range of functional inks
• Supporting heated materials, including waxes and phase-change materials
• High-accuracy gantry motion
• Supporting real-time droplet visualisation and optimisation
• Technical Specifications:
• Multi-Material Printing: Must have at least two independently controllable dispensing units (printheads/dispensing heads). Support for expansion to multiple units is desirable.
• Droplet Generation: Digitally actuated droplet formation with fully programmable waveforms, supporting droplet volumes from picolitre to sub-microlitre range. Full programming and modification of actuation waveforms (amplitude, dwell time, rise/fall profiles, multi-pulse sequences) are required, with independent control for each printhead. Proprietary limitations on actuator control are prohibited.
• Ink Compatibility: Support for a wide viscosity range (low-viscosity liquids to high-viscosity functional inks). Minimum and maximum supported viscosity ranges at operating temperature must be stated.
• Heated Ink Cartridge: Capability to support at least one actively heated ink delivery module, with temperature control from ambient up to ≥55°C (higher temperatures desirable) and temperature stability of ±1°C or better.
• Drop-Watching and Jetting Visualisation: Integrated real-time droplet observation system for tuning and optimisation. High-resolution imaging of droplets in flight is required, with the capability to provide droplet analysis outputs (shape, velocity, volume, satellite formation). Full access to raw and processed data in standard, non-proprietary formats is mandatory.
• Ink Cartridges: Use of fully refillable and reusable ink-wetted components (cartridges, reservoirs, nozzles, connectors). No reliance on proprietary single-use ink cartridges. Full user access to cleaning, purging, and refilling of ink paths is required.
• Mechanical and Motion: Minimum XYZ travel of ≥ 200 mm × 100 mm × 100 mm. Accuracy of ±25 µm or better, and repeatability of ±5 µm or better. System resolution for all motion axes must be specified. Support for point-to-point, vector-based, and continuous path printing. Desirable features include 5-axis printing and print speeds >100 mm/s.
• Software: Capable of controlling motion axes, printheads, substrate temperature, and environmental modules. Must import CAD/vector formats (e.g., DXF), support scriptable/automated workflows, and integrate with camera systems. Operating system, network, data storage, backup/recovery, third-party software dependencies, and cyber/data protection protocols must be provided.
• Licensing and Updates: Software and firmware must be supplied with perpetual licenses, fully included in the total system cost, and not require recurring licence fees for core functionality. Software updates, bug fixes, and security patches must be provided at no additional cost during the warranty and any support/maintenance period.
• Cyber Security: All software and firmware must be maintained securely, with prompt provision of security patches and updates. Compliance with applicable EU cybersecurity requirements and data protection legislation (GDPR) is mandatory.
• Environmental Control: Mandatory inclusion of suitable substrate fixtures (e.g., slide holders, well-plate holders, vacuum clamping platform), substrate heating ≥ 80°C, and printhead cleaning/maintenance capability. Operating temperature range, storage temperature range, and relative humidity requirements must be specified. Desirable features include humidity control, ionisation, and laminar flow/HEPA filtration.
• Accessories: Must include printhead mounting mechanisms, a safety enclosure/hood, and a system frame/support structure. A starter kit for immediate installation, commissioning, and operation is desirable.
• Safety and Regulatory: System must be designed for safe operation in a research laboratory environment. CE marking and compliance with applicable EU directives (Machinery, LVD, EMC) are mandatory. An EU Declaration of Conformity or a written commitment to provide it within 7 days of request is required. Appropriate guarding, interlocks, and containment for inks/fluids are mandatory. Safe management of functional inks, including solvents and heated materials, is required. Emergency stop functionality, fault detection, and warning indicators are mandatory.
• Installation and Commissioning: The system must be installed and commissioned at the ATU installation location.
• Training: Operation, safety, maintenance, troubleshooting, and software use training for a minimum of eight (8) personnel must be delivered on-site.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is being conducted by Atlantic Technological University (ATU). The tender is for the establishment of a single-operator framework agreement for the supply, installation, and commissioning of a Multi-Material Drop-on-Demand (DoD) Inkjet 3D Printing / Deposition System. This system is intended to support advanced research activities within the university. The specific policy or programme driving this procurement is not explicitly stated, but it aligns with the general objective of equipping higher education institutions with advanced technological capabilities for research and innovation. The tender documents do not mention an incumbent supplier for this specific equipment.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

To be eligible for consideration, tenderers must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Product Liability: €6 million
• Certifications: Tenderers should provide information on measures to ensure quality service delivery, for example, via an externally certified system. Cyber assurance measures are also a mandatory requirement.
• Past experience: Tenderers must refer to instances within the last three (3) years demonstrating their capability.
• Personnel: Tenderers must demonstrate access to at least the minimum numbers of skilled personnel stated.
• Geographic / facility constraints: The system footprint must be within 1m x 1m. The system must be installed on-site at the ATU installation location.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award of the contract will be based on the lowest cost tender that meets all minimum qualitative requirements. The tender documents do not specify a detailed scoring matrix or weighting for qualitative criteria. However, the evaluation process will assess compliance with technical and functional specifications on a Pass/Fail basis. Mandatory requirements must be met to avoid elimination.

Criterion