Roll-to-Roll Coating and Printing System

This Request for Proposals (the “RFP”) is an invitation by the University of Ottawa (the “University”) to prospective proponents to submit proposals for a Roll-to-Roll Coating and Printing System, as further described in Appendix D (RFP Particulars) Section A (the “Deliverables”).

The University seeks proposals from qualified proponents for the supply, delivery, installation, commissioning, training, and warranty support of a modular laboratory or small-scale pilot roll-to-roll (R2R) coating and printing system. This system will be used to develop and optimize continuous thin-film coating, slurry coating, patterned printing, drying, curing, and lamination or pressure-assisted web processing techniques on flexible substrates. The system will primarily be used for functional electronic, photonic, and encapsulation materials applicable across various fields, including flexible electronic devices (such as solar cells and transistors), battery research and related disciplines, and biomedical device development, among others. The scope includes the foundational R2R platform, coating and printing modules, liquid delivery systems, drying and curing modules, web-handling accessories, control systems, inspection station where applicable, and software, documentation, installation, and user training.

The system must enable researchers to process flexible substrate rolls from unwinding to rewinding while controlling web speed, web tension, deposition conditions, drying /curing conditions, and process repeatability. The anticipated output is coated or printed flexible substrate material suitable for experimental evaluation of functional films, encompassing film uniformity, layer formation, patterning quality, drying behavior, curing behavior, and compatibility with various inks, slurries, solvents, and substrates. The system is expected to facilitate both initial screening and inspection, as well as repeatable research runs that can provide information for scale-up to larger pilot or production equipment.
 

1. Specifications and Standards

The proposed system should encompass, at a minimum, the functional capabilities outlined below. Proponents may propose equivalent or superior configurations provided they adhere to the mandatory requirements and clearly document how their approach fulfills the research objectives.

 

• A laboratory or small pilot-scale R2R web-handling platform equipped with controlled unwind and rewind capabilities.
• A precision coating capability suitable for slot-die coating of functional inks, dispersions, slurries, or polymer solutions.
• At least one additional compatible wet-film deposition or printing capability, such as flexographic printing, knife/blade/slurry coating, gravure, or another equivalent method.
• Metered liquid delivery using syringe, gear, pressure, or equivalent pump technology capable of controlled coating flow.
• Adjustable coating-head mounting with gap, alignment, and tilt controls suitable for process development.
• Thermal drying capability and UV or UV-LED curing capability.
• Gas/air flow capability for drying support, quenching, leveling, or solvent-removal experiments.
• A nip, lamination, or pressure roller option if required for layer consolidation, encapsulation, or pressure-assisted processing.
• Operator controls for web movement, process set points, and repeatable operation; inspection station; data logging and recipe control are preferred and evaluated under rated criteria.
• Compliance with applicable institutional safety requirements and all electrical, mechanical, and installation requirements for operation in Canada.

 

1. Technical, Operational and Organizational Environment

The system will be installed in a university research laboratory environment over a benchtop. Proponents must identify all required utilities and site conditions prior to award, including electrical service, compressed air, inert gas, exhaust /ventilation, solvent-handling considerations, bench or floor footprint, access clearances, shipping dimensions, and any computer /network requirements. The equipment must be suitable for operation by trained research staff and graduate students under institutional laboratory safety procedures.

The proponent must ascertain whether any installation activity requires specialized rigging, ventilation, a laser safety review, compressed gas or air connections, vacuum infrastructure, a dedicated electrical connection, IT approval, or site preparation by the University before shipment and installation.

 

1. Other requirement:

 

• Training: Installation training must encompass safe operation, web threading, coating setup, pump operation, drying /curing setup, cleaning, routine maintenance, and basic troubleshooting for a minimum of three users.
• Software: Any required computer, control software, firmware, licenses, and basic data-logging tools must be included. Proponents should describe software update terms, license duration, and any optional advanced controls. Refer to Appendix C – Pricing.
• Maintenance: Proponents are to provide a preventive maintenance schedule and identify required consumables, wear parts, calibration needs, and recommended service frequency. Refer to Appendix C – Pricing.
• Facilities requirement: Proponents are to state all electrical requirements, including voltage, phase, current, plug/receptacle type, and any required certification or field evaluation for Canadian installation. Refer to APPENDIX F - Equipment, Utility and Environmental Requirements.
• Instrument inspection and acceptance: Installation acceptance must include, but not limited to: installation verification, basic web transport demonstration, coating/printing module setup demonstration, drying/curing function check, safety interlock/control check where applicable, and completion of user training. Refer to APPENDIX F - Equipment, Utility and Environmental Requirements.
• Service: Proponents are to state response times for remote support, parts availability, and expected repair timelines for critical failures. The proponents are to provide remote technical support via email, phone, or video. On-site support availability, if required, should be described in the proposal.
• Other Special needs to take in considaration: Proponents are to identify requirements for solvent ventilation, inert gas, compressed air, spill control, substrate storage, cleaning solvents, and disposal of contaminated consumables. Refer to APPENDIX F - Equipment, Utility and Environmental Requirements.
• Warranty expectations: A minimum one-year manufacturer warranty for parts and labor/service support is required. Proponent are expected to provided extended warranty option in Appendix C – Pricing.

Mandatory Technical Specifications Requirements:

1.0 - Roll-to-Roll Coating and Printing System
1.1 - The system must be a laboratory or a small pilot-scale roll-to-roll system that includes controlled unwind, one or more coating/printing zones, one or more drying/curing zones, and controlled rewind for flexible substrates.
1.2 - Must process flexible web substrates with a working or coating width of at greater than or equal to 50 mm.
1.3 - Must provide controlled web movement over a speed range that includes at least 0.1 m/min to 2.0 m/min.
1.4 - Must include web tension control suitable for thin flexible polymer, metal foil, paper
1.5 - Must include precision slot-die coating capability and at least one additional compatible wet deposition or printing capability, such as flexographic, knife/blade/slurry, gravure, or equivalent.
1.6 - Must support interchangeable coating heads, shims, applicators, or equivalent parts to allow narrow test coatings and coatings of at least 50 mm width.
1.7 - Must include a metered liquid delivery system suitable for controlled coating flow and compatible with both low-viscosity inks and higher-viscosity formulations through appropriate pump, tubing, or fittings.
1.8 - Must provide adjustable coating-head gap, alignment, and tilt control for coating setup.
1.9 - Must include at least one adjustable thermal drying module capable of reaching at least 100 °C by hot air, inert gas, infrared, or equivalent heating method.
1.10 - Must include a UV or UV-LED curing module suitable for UV-curable coatings, inks, or adhesives.
1.11 - Must include an adjustable air / gas knife or equivalent gas-flow module for coating leveling, quenching, or drying support.
1.12 - Must include a nip, lamination, or pressure roller module, or an equivalent pressure-assisted web-processing module.

2.0 - Safety, control, and installation Compatibility
2.1 - Must include an operator interface that allows setting and monitoring of web speed, web direction, pump operation, and drying/curing parameters.
2.2 - Must be suitable for use with solvent-based research coatings when operated with appropriate institutional ventilation, PPE, and safety controls. Supplier must clearly identify solvent and exhaust limitations.
2.3 - Must be smaller than 1300 mm (W) × 580 mm (D) × 1500 (H) mm

3.0 - Delivery, Training, Warranty, and Support
3.1 - Must include delivery to the University site, installation/ commissioning, and acceptance testing (FAT ansd SAT).
3.2 - Must include minimum 8-hr training for at least three users covering safe operation, web threading, coating setup, pump operation, drying/curing setup, cleaning, routine maintenance, and basic troubleshooting.
3.3 - Must include a minimum one-year manufacturer warranty covering parts and labour/service support.
3.4 - Must include operating manuals, maintenance documentation, safety documentation, and control/software documentation in English and/or French.
3.5 - Must include post-installation technical support by email, phone, video call, or equivalent remote support channel.

4.0 - Other
4.1 - CSA certification or equivalent is required, as per the Electrical Safety Authority:
https://esasafe.com/electrical-products/recognized-certification-marks/.
If any electrical components do not arrive with an acceptable certification marking, the University must be allowed to open/modify the instrument as required in order to have it CSA Certified. Said inspection/modification, if required, must not void any warranty.

















 

Bidding and Documents are available on http://www.merx.com. Fees may apply; See https://www.merx.com/public/pricing for more information.