1. Page 4 Challenge
CAS_C00001
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Challenge Title: Design and build of a manufacturing plant/system
for a three-pipe nested copper product (“tube-in-tube”)
Challenge ID: CAS_C00001 | Published: 19-06-2014 | Deadline: 25-08-2014
Helpdesk: Mangena Mhlabunzima | Phone: 060 830 0458 | Email: support@connectandsolve.co.za
Challenge Owner: An anonymous medium-sized
manufacturing enterprise.
Business Opportunity: To design and build a
manufacturing plant/system and develop the process to
manufacture a three-pipe nested copper product (“tube-
in-tube”).
Solution Maturity: The challenge owner is seeking a
manufacturing system, but in all likelihood most
responses will be for a design only. In this case,
respondents will have to convince the challenge owner
of the integrity of the design.
Delivery Timelines: Please note the timelines as listed
below in the Phases section. Also, short-listed
respondents will be required to submit a one-meter
sample length of a three-pipe nested product for testing
purposes.
Reward: In return, the reward could be either a fixed fee
for work done; or a royalty on sales of products
manufactured through the new plant; or a minority share
in the venture; or some combination of these, negotiated
between the parties.
Challenge Statement
The business opportunities are to design and build a manufacturing plant/system and develop the
process to manufacture a three-pipe nested copper product (“tube-in-tube”). The first prize would be if we
can access/acquire a fully operational turnkey manufacturing plant to become the core of a new
manufacturing facility with industrial applications. If this is not possible, a prototype design using accepted
design software and a credible proposal to back up the design will also suffice. It will be important to
indicate in the submission whether the design of the plant is the same or can be different, if the volume to
be produced varies from 20m per day to 500m per day (see Background section below).

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Background
The challenge owner has come across a class of industrial applications, which requires the use of precisely
dimensioned nested pipes (“tube-in-tube”), the outer one of which is to be profiled in a particular manner. It
is anticipated that the initial demand for the nested piping product will be of the level of 20m per day,
growing to about 500m per day over three to five years. This is required for cost-efficient production at all
times while the market is growing.
Key Specifications
In lieu of the envisaged multiple industrial applications for the nested-pipe systems, the following minimum
specifications would have to be met:
v Focus on a manufacturing system and/or process for the manufacture of a three-pipe nested
product made entirely from high-quality copper;
v The dimensions of the ribbing (profiling) on the outer pipe should be within the following
tolerances:
o The height A of the ribbing should be at least 6mm;
o The rib thickness (B – C) of the ribbing should be 4mm or less;
o The gap C between ribs should be about 10mm.
v With regards to the three tight-fitting concentric pipes, the inner pipe is a standard 22mm SABS
Class 2 copper tube, whereas the second (middle) pipe must fit tightly on the inner pipe, and the
third (outer) pipe is ribbed on the outside and tightly fits on the second pipe (see specifications for
ribbing above);
v The nested three-pipe product must be produced as a continuous process after which it should be
cut into the appropriate lengths and the rib profile on the outer pipe must be continuous and non-
porous.
Possible Approaches
v All potential solutions that address the business opportunity, address or take account of the
statements in the business challenge, comply with the key specifications above, that meet the
criteria listed under evaluation criteria below, and that can be completed in the time frames as
listed, will be of interest.
A
B
C

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Phases
v Phase 1: Evaluation and a shortlist of respondents by end August 2014.
v Phase 2: EVALUATION of shortlisted submissions will be completed by end September 2014.
v Phase 3: PROTOTYPE DEVELOPMENT and TESTING by end November 2014.
v Phase 4: Commissioning of the fully functional industrial plant manufactured by 1 March 2015.
Evaluation Criteria
The proposals received will be evaluated against the following criteria:
v Simplicity and ease of implementation;
v Potential for proprietary position;
v Respondents must be owners of IP or must state relationship with IP owner;
v Economic and scalable market potential;
v Cost-effectiveness of the solution;
v The respondent’s capabilities and related experience including that of the team; and
v Must include references of at least two previous and current projects in the last three years.
DISCLAIMER AND NON CONFIDENTIAL DISCLOSURE
By submitting a response you represent that the response does not and will not be deemed to contain any
confidential information of any kind whatsoever. The East London Industrial Development Zone SOC Ltd
(ELIDZ) or its representatives will not be held liable for loss of any IP. You also acknowledge that ELIDZ:
STP: Connect & Solve; the ELIDZ and its representatives reserve the sole and absolute right and discretion
to act upon all, some, or none of the responses received for this challenge.