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, and 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 innovative 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 interests 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 EUR 1,422,320.