FA481925Q0026 - 3D Printer - Questions and Answers.pdf

Mobile 3-D Concrete Printer Questions

1. Requirement: All components will be transportable by a 12K telehandler for initial set-up.

o Question: If the mobile robotic printer can be maneuvered out of the shipping container and navigated into position for initial setup and print under its own power, does it need to be transportable by a 12K telehandler?

o If the mobile robotic printer is self-maneuverable (e.g. can travel on its own wheeled/tracked system via a controller) in and out of a shipping container, it does not need to be transportable by a 12K telehandler. All other components (e.g.

mixer/batch-plant) will need to be 12K telehandler transportable.

2. Requirement: Manufacturer must provide technical support for the system for a minimum of 5 years from purchase.

o Question: Please describe the type and periodicity of technical support envisioned for a minimum of 5 years from purchase.

o Can you please define, or ask the unit to define, what technical support looks like for the 5 year period?

o This verbiage has been removed from Salient Characteristics.

3. Requirement: Printer slicing software will be able to develop print paths using .step and .stl file formats. Additional compatibility with other native file from formats from AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Revit, and other 3-D modeling software will add significant value.

o Question: Please clarify customer’s vision for how software will be used and what is meant by “additional compatibility.”

o Slicer software will be used to convert 3-D object CAD files (specifically .step and/or .stl files as Solid Works will primarily be used for CAD development) into printable G-Code. Compatibility of the slicing software to accept other common 3-D object files such as .fbx, .3ds, .obj is beneficial, but not necessary.

4. Are larger containers allowed beyond 20 foot shipping container?

o No, we request that all components can be packaged in containers no larger than

20’ shipping containers. No more than two total containers.

5. Question about mixing/pumping solution. Which are you looking for?

6. Are you asking for a single hopper mixing/pumping system that takes bags of dry material that is pre-mixed (still non-proprietary) (can include large aggregates) blends with water and pumps. This would be an M-tec system or something similar.

7. Or are you looking for a multi-hopper batching system that takes sand, aggregates, concrete powder and ad-mixtures, each in their own hopper, then blends them in a drum and drops it into a separate pump such as a Line Pump. These systems are much larger and would require a separate shipping container.

o Questions 5-7 are all one singular question. We are looking for a multi-hopper batching system that allows for the mixing of sands, aggregates, cement powder and admixtures on site, that is then pushed through with a separate pump, as described in question 7.

8. We have two separate 3D Printers that we will be submitting for your consideration. Shall they be included in one single proposal or two separate proposals?

o Two separate proposals.

9. For the requirement to fit inside a 20-foot container, does that mean everything needs to fit into a single 20-foot container or the entire system could fit into multiple 20-foot containers once taken apart. Then when needed could be assembled for 3-D printing operations?

o The mobile printer itself shall fit in a single 20’ container. Support equipment such as pumps and batch-mixers can be placed in a separate 20’ container (While preferably everything fits in 1 container, 2 is acceptable)

10. For the power requirement, if the system provides its own power source is the 60-kW requirement still relevant? Meaning our robots come with their own generators already mounted to the robot and to power the pump off that integrated generator as well.

o We require the printer to be operatable with an AMMPS 60 kW system (spec sheet provided), as this is commonly available within USAF bases and austere environments. This provides us with redundancy in case of generator failure.

11. For the concrete flow rate please confirm 1 cubic ft per minute. That speed requires larger pumps not necessarily able to fit inside of a single 20ft container with the robot. With a 1 cubic ft per minute flow rate, what is the intended printer speed in mm/s?

o 1 cubic foot per minute is an ideal max flow rate, but .75 cubic ft per minute is acceptable as this is similar to a mortar mixer we currently own. Intended max print speed will be 200 mm/s

12. For the 5-year technical support, is a service contract acceptable? Or is this intended to be a FFP?

o This verbiage has been removed from Salient Characteristics.

13. For the wired operation, is it acceptable for operation of the printer while 3D printing is wired, but movement for the tracked robot when moving to a new local print location, is through a small radio-controlled device?

o A small radio-controlled device is acceptable if it follows various RF Spectrum requirements:

• Radio must have FCC ID and J/F – 12 Certification from the NTIA

• The system will have to be processed through a vase Radio Frequency

Authorization (RFA), basically authorizing its usage on base at a certain frequency

• Radio or wireless system ideally uses the 4400-4940 MHz Lower C band

• System avoids the 905-925 MHz band o More in depth requirements can be provided, but yes, a radio system can be used

14. The current Apis Cor printer can achieve 10’ print height before vertical assist. Several integrated adjustable base solutions are available to increase this height to 20’ and above.

Apis cor prefers Welded frame + Telehandler option.

Welded Frame + Telehandler Option: The printer is lifted onto a 10-foot welded frame using a 12K telehandler. This method was successfully used to print a 30-foot-tall building in Dubai. Modular Frame + Built-in Lift Option: A modular 10-foot frame is assembled around the printer, which then lifts itself onto the frame using its integrated lifting system—no crane or telehandler required.

o If both frames can fit within a 20’ storage container, either option is technically acceptable. Modular lift-frame may be preferred due to reduced equipment requirement. It is preferred If the vendor can provide both options within quote (with some more detail on how the built-in lift option/modular frame function).

15. The system can be operated locally using a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, or via a hardwired laptop (no wireless required). Please select let us know your selection from the following options:

Option 1: We include a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and laptop in the quote and deliverables. Option 2: The Air Force provides its own monitor, keyboard, and mouse (or laptop).

o Please provide an option within the quote for including the monitor, keyboard, mouse, and laptop as a deliverable. Any laptop will need to through DoD Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) compliance. It is requested that the vendor list all the software associated with the system, as it may be easier for the USAF to provide its own laptop depending on what that software is (All software will require an offline license)

16. The solicitation lists a delivery date of September 30, 2025. As a small business, our standard lead time is approximately five months from receipt of initial payment due to production and supplier timelines. We kindly ask if there’s any flexibility to accommodate this.

o We understand that most of these systems will be created custom and will take some time to fabricate. A 5-month lead time is acceptable.