Objective
To compete effectively on the world market, European SMEs in the footwear, clothing and allied trades, must adopt modern techniques. One such technique is the philosophy of in-house tool and component manufacture. Currently, this option is only open to large companies due to the expense involved in setting up and running a workshop. This project is aimed at offering a solution to this problem for participating SMEs, and, eventually, all European SMEs in these industry sectors.
Each of the industrial partners were visited early in the project to identify their needs in terms of tooling requirements, the types of materials used and the maximum dimensions of the tooling. Based on this a specification was developed. All the hardware was obtained in line with the specification. A computer and digitising tablet were also obtained. Modifications to the hardware platform were undertaken to include tool depth detection and safety features such as stop buttons.
Software modules were developed in line with the project plan as follows:
Digitisation module for manual input of tooling designs using a range of digitising tablets.
CAD link for input of tooling designs from commercially available footwear CAD systems.
Software module to create toolpaths from basic input data including splining, offsets and layering etc.
Software module to take the toolpath cut file and feed it to the gantry mill controller.
Expert system module to assist and deskill this machine set-up procedures.
Additional functions of the ability to easily recover following tool breakage and the capability to process several jobs in sequence on the cutting area were included in the final prototype version.
It is anticipated that around six months will be required from the end of the project to fully commercialise the system.
Overall, the results of the project meet fully the requirements in the original proposal and the SME partners have expressed their satisfaction.
The development of a low cost tooling centre that can be used in-house together with the investigation into alternative materials for making tooling and components will form the basis of the solution. The benefits in achieving a successful conclusion to this project are significant. They include a quick response to orders, more economic manufacturing, increased accuracy of products and a more flexible approach to manufacture.
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
- engineering and technology materials engineering textiles
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence expert systems
- humanities philosophy, ethics and religion philosophy
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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.
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.
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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.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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.
Coordinator
NN16 9JH Kettering
United Kingdom
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.