CUSTOM-FIT | A knowledge-based manufacturing system, established by integrating Rapid Manufacturing, IST and Material Science to improve the Quality of Life of European Citizens through Custom fit Products.

(From the CUSTOM-FIT publication) Over 30 European Organizations gathered together on 21 and 22 September 2004 at CAD/CAM software specialist Delcam’s headquarters in Birmingham. Here they started their work to jointly create a ‘fully integrated system for design, production and supply of individualised products using rapid manufacturing techniques’ within the framework of the Integrated Project Custom-Fit. Now, after 54 Months the project has come to an end and many innovations have been achieved. The work has resulted in several surprising outcomes and interesting points of view on the implication of the ‘Custom-Fit technology’ for further business deals and for consumers. Newly developed was also the ability to transform all kinds of captured geometrical and non-geometrical data into a standard neutral format to enable bespoke product design. For this, three new design modelling software suites were developed for designing functionally differentiated products (including graded structures and materials) which could also integrate non-geometrical requirements. To enable the rapid manufacturing of customizedThe project results have continuously been disseminated by using all possible tools for broadcasting the new possibilities as created in the Custom-Fit project varying from Newsletters to YouTube, but also Wiki-entries and Newspapers etc. The project outcomes have also been used to create innovative e-training modules for engineers, managers, scientist and educators. This allows the developments from the project to be made available to those organizations in Europe who where not involved in this ‘flagship’ project. The Custom-Fit consortium has faced in these 54 months several challenges. Not only on the ‘technological’ side they have faced these challenges but also on the side of managing such a large project with so many partners from so many (12) countries. products, three new manufacturing processes were developed suitable for the rapid production of complex, bespoke products including the development of novel materials and material combinations. The various innovations have been demonstrated in ‘real life’ situations. For this five case studies have been defined in which the full sequence from geometry capture, product design and manufacturing, and use by the consumers is being evaluated. However with the cooperation of the Advisory Board and representatives from the European Commission and the leadership shown and atmosphere created by coordinator Delcam in and with the management board and the consortium, these challenges were overcome. The results have established a new state of the art in this exciting area of technology and will be the basis for future R&D and innovations. Custom-Fit fostered the European cohesion in the field of science and technology for RM and RP processes, thus leading towards a real and sustainable European initiative.