Questions_and_Answers.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

673D AIR BASE WING

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON ALASKA

20 June 2017

SUBJECT: Questions and Answers for RFQ FA5000-17-T-0095

Q1: What will be used for the air supply to the air assist function?

A1: The facility is plumbed with compressed air regulated at 120psi which we can regulate down to 30psi for the laser etcher and filter from contaminants. We are not opposed to an system integrated air compressor.

Q2: Does it need to be configured to allow a flexible supply of compressed air/gasses (e.g. compressed air, compressed gases like nitrogen, etc...)?

A2: It does not have to be configured to allow a flexible supply of compressed air/gasses since we will only be using compressed air.

Q3: Please define further the requirements for the "Filtration system to be used indoors..?”

A3: An indoor laser fume extraction and filtration system which will capture harmful dusts, fumes or vapors that if not captured would pose a health hazard to the operators. System must be able to handle the exhaust rate of the laser etcher during all processes.

Q4: What kind of help will there be to place this machine?

A4: User has the capability to unload and move as necessary. All compressed air and electrical requirements are already in place. (Machine can be "plug and play" since users are adequately trained in Laser Etcher operation)

Q5: Is there going to be a walk-through of what you have in place now? If not, are there any pictures available of the area and the exhaust connections and any other connections we will be responsible for?

A5: A walkthrough can be arranged if requested. Pictures (attached to this document) of current system are provided for reference, new system will replace the universal laser system that is currently at that location.

Q6: Do you wish to use both Fiber & Co2 Lasers in a single engraving cycle? For example, marking with Fiber on the barrel of a rifle and marking with Co2 on the wooden stock of the rifle in one engraving cycle?

A6: Due to the uncertainty of our future uses for the machine it would be beneficial to have both functions available for use.

Q7: What materials do you intend to mark/cut/engrave with the Co2 wavelength?

A7: We intend to engrave wood, acrylic, glass, coated metals, ceramic, delrin, leather, marble, melamine, paper, mylar, rubber, fiberglass, painted metals, tile, plastic, and anodized aluminum.

We intend to cut wood, acrylic, delrin, leather, melamine, paper, mylar, rubber, fiberglass, and plastic.

Q8: What is the maximum thickness of material you wish to cut?

A8: Maximum thichness of material would be what the machine is capable of. The ability to engrave and cut all in one operation would be a great advantage.

Q9: What materials do you intend to mark/engrave with the Fiber wavelength? What engraving depth do you wish to achieve? Is there a specific reason you are requesting a 50 watt Fiber laser?

Would you prefer a standard Fiber wattage to save on cost of the system?

A9: We intend to mark stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum, ABS plastic, brass, brushed aluminum, carbon fiber, anodized aluminum, cobalt, delrin, copper, tool steel, nickel, Inconel, and zinc plated steel. Engraving depth would have to be enough for visibility in certain metals.

50 watt Fiber would allow us flexibility in certain metals and complex parts. Cost of the system is not an issue.

Q10: Resolution: User controlled 75-1200 dpi – We can offer user controlled resolution 125- 1000, will this be acceptable?

A10: 1200 DPI preferred but 1000 DPI is acceptable. The highest controlled resolution would allow us to fully detail small parts as needed.

Q11: Would PC software interface offering a WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) display and real-time control of laser operation. Will this be acceptable to you?

A11: The user friendly controller interface display panel allows the user to manually control the laser operations at the source which relieves the hassle of going from the computer monitor to the machine during some functions.

Q12: Closed-loop Drive system - I am not certain what this means exactly, please provide additional clarification?

A12: Sealed servo drive system is acceptable.

Q13: Will it be acceptable if we provide a 2.85” lens for use with both the Co2 & Fiber wavelength?

A13: Yes, anything above the minimum.

Q14: Is a machine that operates within an environmental temperature range from 15-25C (59- 77F) with the capability to operate in an non-air-conditioned environment with higher temperatures acceptable?

A14: Yes.

Q15: If the system only has integrated key switch and Emergency Reaction shutoff but no Fire Alarm, is this acceptable?

A15: It is preferred that the system have a fire alarm feature allowing the laser to shut off automatically. However it is not mandatory to have a fire alarm or auto shutoff feature.

Q16: Is a filtration system for indoor use with HEPA & VOC treatment (2 x 320 m³/h) 8,500 Pa static pressure be acceptable?

A16: Integrated exhaust/ filtration system for use indoors will suffice, it must meet the cfm requirements and max capabilities of the applications of the Laser Etcher system.

Q17: If the system offers a CDRH Class 2 laser safety enclosure when lasers are firing/operational, however Class 4 when operated with "Pass-through" feature, will this be acceptable?

A17: The pass through feature is not feasible for our work center as it will require a bit more safety precautions because of the Class 4 laser with the doors open.

Q18: Computer Interface 10 Base-T Ethernet, Full speed 2.0 USB – The laser systems we offer feature USB2.0 communication but not Ethernet. Printer sharing across a network can be realized through the use of a shared printer spooler folder. Will this be acceptable?

A18: Preferred having both Ethernet and USB capability, but either or would be acceptable.

Q19: Is the use of the red-dot pointer and WYSIWYG software interface without the use of the camera system acceptable? Would you prefer to save on added cost of this feature or include this with the system?

A19: The camera view/scan function would need to be turned off/disabled when not required during other engraving/cutting functions. The camera system allows us to create accurate laser cuts around images that are printed on wood, acrylic, and cardstock. It also provides a real-time preview of the cutting table when required. System would need to capable of both of Laser diode pointer (red-dot) and camera view/scan functions.

Q20: Is a vector cutting table with removable Lamellas to support the material in locations where the laser will not be cutting, providing a means of eliminating backside reflection for large parts, acceptable?

A20: Yes.

Q21: Do you prefer to use your external air source or the integrated air assist pump for minimal cost difference?

A21: We are not opposed to an integrated air assist pump however, we can filter and regulate psi at the source.

Q22: Is a 3 jaw chuck for rotary attachment (max OD of cylindrical object is 3" clamping from outside, clamping from inside 3.86", 27.91" max length of object when clamped) acceptable?

A22: Yes