UAA Small Tank

NPL is seeking a solution for design, development and integration of a new underwater acoustics open tank test facility. This notice is split into lots; stakeholder and supplier management and collaboration will be the responsibility by NPL.

All lots will be integrated into a wider system, and the integration activities will be managed by NPL including collaboration between suppliers as required. The facility will be comprised of an open water tank (Lot A), a water filtration system (Lot B) and a gantry-type positioning and control system (Lot C).

Acoustic test panels and hydrophones will be deployed into the open water tank. The test panels and hydrophones are mounted on the control and positioning system to perform material characterisation and hydrophone calibration activities.

These activities will take place by scanning test panels and translating the hydrophones in the water. The schematic block diagram of the facility includes overall room dimensions.

Please engage with this notice and NPL Procurement to receive the attachments. The requirements specification provides all relevant details for the open water tank, water filtration system and positioning and control system.

The high-level PBS indicates what NPL Engineering and suppliers will be responsible for; any requirements relevant to the operating room will be the responsibility of NPL Estates which will be managed by NPL internally but are given in this notice as they help to provide context to the wider system. Please engage with this notice and NPL Procurement to receive the attachments.

This is not an evaluation exercise and nothing in this activity will limit the opportunity to engage in any follow on Invitation To Tender. The specifications in the Lots below is not an exhaustive list and further details will be provided in the tendering documents.

This requirement is structured into three distinct lots. Suppliers are invited to submit their interest on a single lot, any combination of lots, or all lots.

NPL is seeking engagement from suppliers who have capability to provide a solution to the following requirements. Parameters may be relaxed upon agreement.

Some high-level requirements include: • The system shall include a 3-axis positioning and control system to support controlled placement, alignment and movement of test panels and hydrophones in and around the open water tank. The system shall be able to support simultaneous but independent operation of multiple axes.

All three carriages shall be aligned along the length of the tank when in operational configuration • The system must be able to translate in X, Y & Z, and rotate about Z (complete 360° rotation). The required accuracy and precision of the solution is as below: o X, Y & Z precision: ±0.5mm o Z-rotation precision: ±0.1° o X, Y & Z repeatability: 0.5mm o Speed: 0.06m/min to 30m/min • The minimum payload capability shall be 50kg in two of the three carriages, and the minimum payload capability of one of the three carriages shall be 300kg.

Note: all three carriages may have a payload capability of 300kg. If only one carriage has a payload capability of 300kg this shall be the middle carriage.

All carriages shall feature a common mechanical mounting interface • The system shall minimise radiated and conducted electromagnetic noise. Electrical screening and noise suppression shall be applied to power cables and control lines.

The system shall be suitable for operation in an RF‑sensitive measurement environment. Major components (motors, drives, controllers) shall be selected to minimise RF and electrical noise emissions. • The system shall prevent unintended movement during power up, power down, communication loss and system failure.

The system shall prevent motion beyond defined operational points with travel limits by either physical or electronic constraints. Motion shall be able to be interlocked with an access doorway or gateway such that automatic motion is inhibited when the operator is within the designated loading area.

The system shall detect faults such as loss of feedback, actuator malfunction or communication errors, and automatically transition to a safe state. Safe states shall be defined as motion inhibited, brakes engaged and load supported • The system shall include a standalone supplier‑provided control interface.

The standalone control interface shall support manual jogging, commanded moves to predefined positions, and execution of multi‑axis movements. The system shall include provision for an integrated control interface which shall allow direct operation and automation from laboratory control software.