Project description
Architectural free-form surfaces made easy
Contemporary architecture has its share of free-form shapes, but they are challenging in terms of production. For instance, the architect has no direct control on the end product because the accuracy according to the CAD model is limited. Also, transportation is difficult and expensive due to the size and weight of the prefabricated free-forms. The EU-funded i-Contour project has a solution. It will develop a technology to design and produce large 3D free-forms at 90 % lower cost. Specifically, the project’s innovation will include an own-developed front-end software – a plug-in for Rhinoceros software – and an innovative 3D bending machine for plastics. It will also make it possible to have real-time control over the overall process.
Objective
Freeform surfaces play a prominent role in contemporary architecture. However current methods used in the construction industry to produce free-forms involve five major problems. 1. Since they do not involve machine production, the accuracy according to the CAD model is limited and the architect has no direct control on end product. 2. Manually built structures, with two opposing wire mesh frames, with interposed plastic wool often suffer corrosion. This restricts their inclusion in buildings. 3. Due to weight and size of prefabricated free-forms, transportation is difficult and expensive. 4. High manpower demand: at least 3 persons must work on the mounting of each structure. 5. Milling of moulding causes 50% waste. Clever Contour, an Austrian company founded in 2013, is finishing the development of i-Contour, an innovative technology to design and produce large 3D free-forms at 90% lower cost and overcoming key technical barriers such as high weight and transportation difficulties. i-Contour is the first end-to-end manufacture technology for free-forms thanks to two key elements: an own-developed frontend software – a plug-in for Rhinoceros, and an innovative 3D bending machine for plastics. The most relevant Unique Selling Points of i-Contour are: *drastic costs reduction (up to 90%), *real-time control of the overall process, *weight reduction (up to 50%), *easiness of transportation and mounting, and *very fast production time (from weeks down to 2-3 days). The first prototype of the system is already working in our premises and we have successfully executed 6 projects with national and international design studios. We have also engaged several companies from different segments such as concrete manufacturers, formwork producers and architects. By the end of 2023, three years after market launch, we expect to have an accumulated revenue of €21 million and have created up to 20 new positions.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences software software development
- social sciences economics and business business and management business models
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering manufacturing engineering additive manufacturing
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.2.3. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.3. - PRIORITY 'Societal challenges
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H2020-EU.2.1. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
8700 LEOBEN
Austria
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.