High Volume Deep-Draw Can Fabrication (10 BE 0213 3HJP)

A Brussels-based multinational company active in the consumer goods sector wishes to identify suppliers and technology enablers for increasing the production rates of deep-draw, closed-end metal cylinders(cans).Partners with existing knowledge, manufacturing processes and test/simulation capabilities are preferred. Should further research be necessary, favored proposals will have a 0-1 year timeline with significant milestones at 3 month intervals.
Different kinds of collaboration are sought.

This Brussels based company looks for a component for a high-volume consumer product. The component is a closed-end cylinder made entirely of nickel-plated steel (NPS, commonly referred to as a "can"). It has a diameter of approximately 1.3 cm and an aspect ratio of about 4:1.

The current manufacturing process for this component employs a variety of tools and equipment to enable the high speed deep-draw fabrication of a reliable product. It is made by a variety of manufacturers on transfer presses with output rates of more that 200 parts per minute. These presses are fed with drawn cups that are produced on multiple-out presses that optimize material savings.

It is desired to significantly improve process throughput and increase overall efficiency by evaluation and implementation of alternative multiple-out, high speed/low speed deep-draw technologies.

The company is seeking potential partners with the technology and capability to develop manufacturing solutions to enable the fabrication of deep-drawn NPS cans at rates that are well in excess of 300 ppm (parts per minute), preferably more than 1000 ppm.

Preferred partners will offer one or more of the following:

" Advanced equipment technologies to enable the above" Alternate tooling techniques to enable the above" Breakthroughs in deep-draw can forming to save material and minimize scrap

Technical Specifications / Specific technical requirements:
This is a request for potential partners to identify themselves. No formal proposal is required at this time, but interested parties should provide non-confidential literature, data or other materials to demonstrate their general capabilities and ability to fabricate deep-draw closed-end cylinders at rates of at least 1000 parts per minute. Dimensional tolerance is to be defined, but an approximate target is more or less 0.013 cm. Surface finish is arbitrary at this time.

All solutions should be leading-edge technologies and enablers. Cost targets are to be determined, but technologies must be cost competitive with the leading alternatives and/or today's state of the art.

Favored status will be given to responses that include the clear articulation of what is new or novel about the proposed technology compared to the existing art.

The response is limited to no more than 3 pages. It should briefly describe the technical approach, provide information on technology performance, background, and description of the responding team members (if applicable) and their related experience.

The response will be evaluated using the following criteria:

" Overall technical merit of the proposed approach" Approach to proof of concept or performance " Potential for proprietary position (i.e. is the technology novel or patentable)" Economic potential " Capabilities and related experience of provider" Realism of the proposed plan and budget

If the response is of interest to the Brussels-based multinational, proposers will be contacted for next steps, which may include a request for a more detailed proposal. In some cases, the company will provide further information under NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement). Expect an initial response in 2-3 weeks.

By submitting a response the proposer represents that the response does not and will not be deemed to contain any confidential information of any kind whatsoever.

By submitting a response, the proposer acknowledges that the company reserves the sole and absolute right and discretion to select for award, all, some, or none of the responses received for this announcement. The company may also only choose to select specific tasks within a proposal for award.

Technologické inovační centrum s.r.o.

Lenka Kostelníková

+420 739 570 792