Friday 1st October 2004

Coming soon: design your own car

Custom-built parts not far off say engineers

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Drivers may soon be able to have parts of their cars built to their own designs by local dealerships.

The do-it-yourself custom car revolution is due to advanced rapid manufacturing systems being developed by a consortium of British engineers.

And the techniques could also be adapted to the aerospace and medical industries – even replacement limbs for amputees could be made locally and to exact individual measurements.

The new systems are being developed under a Foresight Vehicle research project called MANRM – Management, Organisation and Implementation of Rapid Manufacturing. Foresight Vehicle is an initiative backed by Government funding aimed at keeping Britain ahead in high-technology in the automotive sector.

It could allow some car parts, such as seats, steering wheels, gear knobs and handbrakes to be built to the exact individual requirements of the buyer. Seats designed to a person’s exact profile would increase comfort, reduce driver fatigue and improve safety.

Dashboard inserts, such as air ducts, could be designed by the driver and built to order at their local dealership to match their particular preference.

The 3D profile of the client would be scanned-in at a dealership fitted with Rapid Manufacturing machines being developed by the Rapid Manufacturing Research Group at Loughborough University. The machines build up the components in a layering technique, similar to the way inkjet printers make images.

And the new machines would be designed to be operated in small workshops as Rapid Manufacturing technology does not require the complexities of a full-size car factory. Similar technology is already used by Formula One teams and in some specialist aerospace operations.

The Foresight Vehicle MANRM programme links experts at Loughborough University’s Rapid Manufacturing Research Group, JCB Research, The Engineering Forum, MG Rover, Mitre Group, Perkins Engines and Martin Baker Aircraft Ltd. They have been carrying out research for 18 months and hope to have the first customised manufacturing systems running within three years.

Dr Richard Hague, head of the Rapid Manufacturing Research Group, says Rapid Manufacturing will have a significant impact on the future of the automotive industry.

He said: "The need to meet the demand for personalised products, particularly within the automotive sector, is growing increasingly important. RM offers the solution and benefits all parties involved. It is essential to embrace the technology offered by RM and maximise its potential to develop the future of automotive manufacturing.

"When fully developed, this type of system will help UK manufacturing industry to win back some of the business that is being lost to places like India and China."

The MANRM technology is being used to develop bespoke seats for combat aircraft trainee pilots in the RAF to increase pilot comfort over extended mission times.

Other possible applications of rapid manufacturing include making prostheses and medical implants, sports equipment, consumer goods and protection equipment.

More than 400 UK companies and universities have been participating in the industry-backed Foresight Vehicle initiative, led by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

[shagga]

And what happens when you come to sell the car! Do you go back to the dealer and get new seats handbrake gearlever airducts etc designed for the new purchaser or will the dealer pay fo all of this as part of the part ex?

[Fatboy]

I'd imagine you just shift yor custom stuff over to your new car, and the buyer of you old car has their own custom stuff either moved over or made...