Customised rapid manufactured parts: Technology and case studies from the custom-fit project.

The design and manufacture of individually customised products is generally restricted to bespoke clothing or footwear for very wealthy customers. The aim of the Custom-Fit project is to develop a fast, flexible and economically viable route for the manufacture of individually customised parts. These products not only provide improved comfort levels but also provide better functional performance, including enhanced safety for the user. This 4.5 year, €16m project involving 30 partners across the breadth of the Europe finished last month. This presentation will showcase the technology developed: CAD packages which automate the design process and three new rapid manufacturing methods. The presentation includes case studies on a range of customised products, including customised seats for Ducati Motorcycles. The case studies not only demonstrate the performance benefits of individual customisation but also show the potential for new approaches to product design including both functionally graded structures and materials to achieve precise control of product performance.