Direct award for SPD Recoater

The procurement concerns the acquisition of a three-material recoater system (SPD2 model) required for UTU’s additive manufacturing process. This recoater is critical for research on multi material 3D printing. The AM4Plasma project focuses on developing multi-material plasma generator components using powder bed fusion – for example combining different alloys within the same layer to tailor thermal, electrical and mechanical properties. This requires capabilities that go clearly beyond conventional single-material recoaters.

The AM4Plasma project focuses on developing multi-material plasma generator components using powder bed fusion – for example combining different alloys within the same layer to tailor thermal, electrical and mechanical properties. This requires capabilities that go clearly beyond conventional single-material recoaters. The SPD2 recoater, as offered by Schaeffler-Aerosint SA and configured for UTU’s Aconity MIDI+ system, is the only commercially available solution that fulfils the following critical capabilities: 1. Voxel-wise multi-material powder deposition (up to three powders in a single layer) a) The SPD2 uses a patented selective powder deposition principle that allows spatially controlled placement of up to three different powders within the same layer at voxel / pixel level, not just in large stripes or separate build areas. b) This capability is necessary to realise the AM4Plasma objectives: sharp in-plane material interfaces, continuous chemical gradients, and locally tailored compositions (e.g. wear-resistant surfaces, high-conductivity cooling paths, and functional regions) in a single build. c) Conventional recoaters for PBF-LB systems can only spread a homogeneous single-material layer at a time. Some systems allow switching between hoppers, but not with the required resolution and repeatability. No other supplier offers a recoater with comparable voxel-wise, three-material deposition. 2. Fully engineered integration with Aconity MIDI+ hardware and software a) The SPD2 in this configuration is specifically designed, qualified and supported for integration with the Aconity MIDI+ machine that UTU already owns. b) This includes the mechanical interface, motion control, safety interlocks, build job preparation and process monitoring within the Aconity software environment. c) Retrofitting any third-party or “generic” multi-material recoater would require extensive re-engineering of the MIDI+ machine, would not be supported by the OEM, and would compromise CE-marking, safety, warranty and process reliability. No other supplier currently provides an Aconity-approved multi-material recoater module. According to the Act on Public Procurement and Concession Contracts (1397/2016) section 40, when only a certain supplier can implement the procurement for a technical reason, provided also that there are no reasonable alternatives or substitute solutions and that the absence of competition is not due to an artificial narrowing of the terms and conditions of the procurement, the contract may be awarded only to a particular supplier, the Contracting authorities may award public contracts by a direct award. Prior to making decision the Contracting authority has inspected the relevant markets and available products and after careful consideration found its' conclusion grounded.