MICRO-DRESS

Customised Wearable Functionality and Eco-Materials – Extending the limits of Apparel Mass customisation

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The Micro-Dress project aims to extend the limits of feasible garment customisation for men’s, and ladies’ garments, to include for the first time user-configurable wearable functionality, as well as user-selectable degree of material eco-friendliness. The challenges related to both added value aspects will be researched in order to prove these concepts within a pragmatic framework based on two distinct business/supply chain models: i) Extension of existing mass customisation model of an International Brand (Ermenegildo Zegna), ii) Expansion of an innovative mass-customisation model (micro-factories), targeting innovative SMEs. The Objectives are: - Development and deployment of direct-write rapid manufacturing techniques for the production of portable garment integrated microelectronics components. - Derivation of eco-efficiency and eco-logistics related prediction algorithms and web-tools enabling user configurable eco-certification, based on materials and processes information along the supply chain (yarn to garment). - Development of a new biosensor-based screening test which can revolutionise the process of consumer health related garment components screening (fabrics, accessories, etc). - Development of an e-supply chain management platform to model the sourcing of e-devices and the concept of configurable eco-certification along the two supply chains (vertical brand chain, supply network of micro-factories). The platform will be built on the principle of Software as a Service, to maximise it’s exploitation potential. The results will be demonstrated by two pilots, one focussing on the user configurable eco-certification, the second on the customisable attachment of safety e-devices. The project brings together a multidisciplinary Consortium of 9 partners, of which 5 are SMEs, two are prominent EU Institutes and two are leading Textile and Clothing Groups.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Europe's garment industry is searching for new ways of involving customers. Consumers will be able to select eco-friendly 'e-smart' outfits as required.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The http://www.micro-dress.eu/ (MICRO-DRESS) project combined fashion with technology to create stylish, functional garments manufactured according to the principles of sustainability. The consortium comprised small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), prominent EU institutes, and leading textile and clothing groups.

Work was based on two distinct business models: the extension of an existing customisation model of an international brand, and the expansion of an innovative mass customisation model targeted at SMEs, known as 'micro-factories'. The benefits of mass customisation are that it combines the personalisation of custom-made products with the flexibility and cost efficiency of mass production.

Project partners developed rapid manufacturing techniques that enabled microelectronic components to be printed directly onto selected environment-friendly fabric. This involved the integration of solar cells, electronically conductive layers and light-emitting diodes into the garment.

A 'kinetic' jacket containing motion-tracking sensors was developed together with medical partners to allow the remote monitoring by physiotherapists of elderly people with rehabilitation needs. MICRO-DRESS partners also developed a removable smart card system that allows messages to be sent to recipients, such as notification of phone calls and texts, while they were in a secure area.

Logistics-related algorithms and web tools were developed to enable customers to choose the devices and the degree of environment friendliness of production processes along the supply chain (referred to as 'yarn to garment'). Consortium members also developed and designed an 'e-supply chain management platform' to model the sourcing of e-devices.

Addressing health and safety issues associated with the manufacturing process, partners developed new cost-effective biosensor-based screening. The tests are expected to revolutionise detection of potentially toxic compounds found in azo dyes and pigments.

MICRO-DRESS represents a significant step forward in the application of mass customisation and in the integration of microelectronics into fabric, while reducing the garment industry's environmental impacts.