Public procurement notice: Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency Notice
Published: 2018-05-17
Buyer: The University of Birmingham
Country: UK
Contract type: Supplies
Procedure: Contract award without prior publication
CPV classification: 38000000 | 42990000
Estimated value: 699462.67 GBP
Award criteria: The most economic tender

Technical requirements: The University of Birmingham has determined that Renishaw PLC is the only choice to fulfil its ambitions of establishing and equipping a Centre for Custom Medical Devices for several reasons. The University of Birmingham, in its efforts to be seen as world-leading in the additive manufacture of metal medical devices, requires that every feature of the laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing systems in the Centre be state-of-the-art and fully supported by a robust, mutually beneficial partnership with the OEM. 1 key criterion for this particular piece of procurement activity is that the equipment supplier must have robust experience of both manufacturing AM machinery, but also manufacturing medical devices themselves — something Renishaw are unique at in their field — as the ambition is ultimately to optimise the design of implants and AM machinery in a mutually beneficial feedback loop.
From a technical perspective the RenAM 500M systems are the preferred choice for a number of reasons. Firstly, the automated safe powder handling and double filtering systems that are features of this particular model will offer significant benefits in standardising and providing a controlled environment when conducting comparative scientific analysis on differing implant designs, providing a greater level of confidence in the experimental results. Moreover, the inert gas atmosphere generated by these systems provides additional quality benefits that translate into better research outputs that are expected to lead to improved patient outcomes. Lastly, there is the option to fit a “Reduced Build Volume” unit to the machine allowing use of smaller amounts of different powders. This would allow the University the flexibility to trial high-value or development materials without affecting the main machine.
Renishaw can provide QuantAM build preparation software, which is developed by Renishaw specifically to work with their AM machines. This removes the need for the University to pay for additional licences for third party software and the possible difficulties associated with integrating the eventual hardware and software solutions. Furthermore, there is the possibility of adding an additional process monitoring module to the systems, which would allow the collection of data about the build process which can then be fed back to the design and optimisation of implants and further experimental activity.
Renishaw has extensive experience directly applicable to the delivery of collaborative research laboratory environments, purpose-built for the exploration of novel scientific areas of mutual interest and benefit to both the academic partner as well as the company. Renishaw have supported the establishment of a number of Centres across the world such as ADEISS in Canada looking at the design and manufacture of surgical implements and external prostheses, and the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Laser Based Production Processes facility at the University of Liverpool looking at the optimisation of laser fusion based processes. The University of Birmingham Centre seeks to optimize the design of additively manufactured metal implants for improved patient outcomes with the support of Renishaw.
University of Birmingham is actively exploring entering into a collaborative research partnership with Renishaw, as they have the scientific and technical depth to play an active and significant role in any arising research proposals. Furthermore, it is our intention that the laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing systems and the broader Centre ultimately be cleared for clinical use within the UK. Renishaw has the required Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs and management staff to ensure that this will be possible. Renishaw is offering to work with the University of Birmingham to achieve ISO 13485 standards for our production facility to enable implants designed and manufactured at the University to go into clinical use under the…
The University of Birmingham has determined that Renishaw PLC is the only choice to fulfil its ambitions of establishing and equipping a Centre for Custom Medical Devices for several reasons. The University of Birmingham, in its efforts to be seen as world-leading in the additive manufacture of metal medical devices, requires that every feature of the laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing systems in the Centre be state-of-the-art and fully supported by a robust, mutually beneficial partnership with the OEM. 1 key criterion for this particular piece of procurement activity is that the equipment supplier must have robust experience of both manufacturing AM machinery, but also manufacturing medical devices themselves — something Renishaw are unique at in their field — as the ambition is ultimately to optimise the design of implants and AM machinery in a mutually beneficial feedback loop.
From a technical perspective the RenAM 500M systems are the preferred choice for a number of reasons. Firstly, the automated safe powder handling and double filtering systems that are features of this particular model will offer significant benefits in standardising and providing a controlled environment when conducting comparative scientific analysis on differing implant designs, providing a greater level of confidence in the experimental results. Moreover, the inert gas atmosphere generated by these systems provides additional quality benefits that translate into better research outputs that are expected to lead to improved patient outcomes. Lastly, there is the option to fit a “Reduced Build Volume” unit to the machine allowing use of smaller amounts of different powders. This would allow the University the flexibility to trial high-value or development materials without affecting the main machine.
Renishaw can provide QuantAM build preparation software, which is developed by Renishaw specifically to work with their AM machines. This removes the need for the University to pay for additional licences for third party software and the possible difficulties associated with integrating the eventual hardware and software solutions. Furthermore, there is the possibility of adding an additional process monitoring module to the systems, which would allow the collection of data about the build process which can then be fed back to the design and optimisation of implants and further experimental activity.


Winner: Renishaw PLC
Award value: 699462.67