DIGINOVA

Innovation for Digital Fabrication

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Most products are produced by means of the established mass production infrastructure. Traditionally, this involves large stocks, high manual labor, large capital investments, high energy use, long distance transportation. Although many advanced new materials have unique functional properties that hold a great promise for innovation, they often need to meet the criteria and characteristics of this established mass production paradigm. This delays the exploitation of the huge potential of whole new classes of materials. Combined with major societal trends and consumer needs like customization, personalization, on-demand fulfillment and the fact that the world is becoming ever more digital and networked, there is a need for a paradigm shift in manufacturing called Digital Fabrication.

**Digital Fabrication can be defined as a new kind of industry that uses computer-controlled tools and processes to transform digital designs and materials directly into useful products.**

DIGINOVA will establish the current status across material domains and application domains in Europe in order to identify the most promising technology and business propositions for Digital Fabrication. The project consortium, consisting of 4 large companies, 7 SMEs and 9 research institutes will identify and connect main stakeholders through establishment of innovation networks centred around concrete business cases to determine the added value and feasible routes to commercialization.

The DIGINOVA consortium has broad research and development experience covering a wide range of materials and applications. The consortium is well equipped to generate international interest and expanding participation in the opportunities it identifies and has a proven track record in drafting roadmaps, establishing networks, involving stakeholders and informing the public at large. The DIGINOVA project will last 24 months and requests EU contribution of € 1.265.785.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

As the world is becoming more digital and connected, the transition from analogue to digital technologies can have a profound impact on materials and manufacturing. An EU-funded project has identified the most promising digital fabrication technologies and pointed out the direction to transform European industries.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Digital fabrication has the potential to enable innovations that bypass the established mass production infrastructure. Computer-controlled tools can transform digital designs directly into physical products. Scientists envision that people will soon be able to order and locally produce their own products in materials of their choice. They will not need to be bound by the mass-produced selection found in stores.

The aim of the EU-funded project 'Innovation for digital fabrication' (http://www.diginova-eu.org/ (DIGINOVA)) was to catalyse this transition to the digital domain. Materials researchers and industrial entrepreneurs were mobilised to map the most promising applications, key technology challenges and new business opportunities. Their findings were summarised in the first-ever roadmap for digital fabrication, providing guidance for innovation in digital fabrication technologies.

DIGINOVA partners contributed to the roadmap with their expertise in several digital fabrication technologies, processes and a wide range of materials. In particular, digital printing has already enabled full customisation for a range of applications, which is a real shift from mass production. This has already been demonstrated in the printing industry and in areas such as printed textiles, ceramic tile decoration, sensors, and organic light-emitting diodes applications.

From the competitiveness perspective, European companies are strong in areas like printing with metals and other functional materials. But this position requires continuous innovation, especially where competitors are fast approaching. The DIGINOVA roadmap is expected to serve as a meaningful framework for innovation in digital fabrication leading European industries from their 20th century analogue roots to their 21st century digital future.

The DIGINOVA project has provided clear guidance by clarifying the most promising future opportunities, as well as key barriers potentially interfering with the success of digital manufacturing.