Digital Customization Research Articles

Biomechanical innovations in correcting severe malocclusions

The correction of severe malocclusions presents significant challenges in orthodontics due to the complexity and precision required for effective treatment. Recent biomechanical innovations have transformed the landscape of orthodontic care, offering more precise, efficient, and patient-friendly solutions. Advancements in orthodontic bracket systems, including the development of self-ligating brackets and heat-activated arch wires, have enhanced the control and comfort of tooth movements, reduced treatment times and improving patient outcomes. Temporary anchorage devices (TADs) have provided stable anchorage points, enabling complex tooth movements that were previously difficult to achieve. TADs have proven particularly effective in managing open bites and class II malocclusions, offering non-surgical alternatives for severe cases. The integration of digital technology in orthodontics, such as 3D imaging and computer-aided design/manufacturing (CAD/CAM), has further revolutionized treatment planning and execution. These technologies facilitate accurate diagnostics and the creation of customized orthodontic appliances, ensuring precise and predictable treatment outcomes. Clear aligner therapy, initially limited to simple cases, has advanced through the use of improved thermoplastic materials and digital customization, allowing for the treatment of more complex malocclusions. Innovative force application techniques, including the use of attachments and elastics, have expanded the capabilities of aligners, making them a versatile and effective alternative to traditional braces. Collectively, these biomechanical innovations have significantly improved the management of severe malocclusions, enhancing treatment efficiency, precision, and patient comfort. The ongoing development of these technologies promises to further advance the field of orthodontics, providing more effective and aesthetically pleasing solutions for patients with complex dental alignment issues.

Digital Customization for Product Design and Manufacturing: A Case Study within the Furniture Industry

Computational design together with the digitization of most fabrication processes play an important role in many research areas. Digital tools such as 3D modeling and computational design have been increasingly used. Computational design combines traditional 3D product design together with programming a general-purpose CAD system in order to promote system integration. In essence, using CAD-based textual or visual programming languages a series of products can be designed with accuracy and take advantage of product customization and automation of downstream applications. The present paper aims at customizing furniture design based on automating both the design and the fabrication procedures. The customer is able to define a series of geometrical characteristics, i.e., width, length, internal dimensions, and various other properties. The outcome consists of automating a great deal of processes, i.e., 3D modeling and assembling, visualization, creating the bill of materials (BOM), producing assembly instructions for the user, drawings and prototyping files, weight estimation.

Esthetic outcomes in orthodontics through digital customization with a lingual appliance system.

Contemporary fixed orthodontic appliances are shifting from non-customized pre-adjusted appliances to custom-designed and printed appliances with novel digital setup systems. We are one step closer to precision dentistry and orthodontics using personalized mechanics and custom appliances. However, despite the evidential enhancement and other improvements to fixed appliances, tooth movement is still limited to five degrees of freedom. Opening or closing spaces still requires manually placing elastomeric chains or coil springs. In this article, we aimed to demonstrate how advancements in CAD/CAM technology, reverse engineering, and digital customization are helping orthodontics constantly evolve, enabling treatment with enhanced esthetics and minimal compliance. The clinical system (InBrace®, Irvine, CA) described in this article uses a patient-specific, digitally designed multiloop NITI wire that delivers friction-free, light, and continuous forces and activates automatically whenever the malocclusion deviates from the digital setup. Through digital customization, InBrace allows for automated tooth movement in all six degrees of freedom, including space opening or closure, via programmed non-sliding mechanics. Precision orthodontics and personalized treatment have been significant developments in orthodontics recently. This article focuses on how a technologically advanced lingual appliance system could achieve targeted cosmetic results methodically via automation and personalization.

In-situ additive manufacturing of high strength yet ductility titanium composites with gradient layered structure using N2

It has always been challenging work to reconcile the contradiction between the strength and plasticity of titanium materials. Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is a convenient method to fabricate innovative composites including those inspired by gradient layered materials. In this work, we used LPBF to selectively prepare TiN/Ti gradient layered structure (GLSTi) composites by using different N2–Ar ratios during the LPBF process. We systematically investigated the mechanisms of in-situ synthesis TiN, high strength and ductility of GLSTi composites using microscopic analysis, TEM characterization, and tensile testing with digital image correlation. Besides, a digital correspondence was established between the N2 concentration and the volume fraction of LPBF in-situ synthesized TiN. Our results show that the GLSTi composites exhibit superior mechanical properties compared to pure titanium fabricated by LPBF under pure Ar. Specifically, the tensile strength of GLSTi was more than 1.5 times higher than that of LPBF-formed pure titanium, reaching up to 1100 MPa, while maintaining a high elongation at fracture of 17%. GLSTi breaks the bottleneck of high strength but low ductility exhibited by conventional nanoceramic particle-strengthened titanium matrix composites, and the hetero-deformation induced strengthening effect formed by the TiN/Ti layered structure explained its strength-plasticity balanced principle. The microhardness exhibits a jagged variation of the relatively low hardness of 245 HV0.2 for the pure titanium layer and a high hardness of 408 HV0.2 for the N2 in-situ synthesis layer. Our study provides a new concept for the structure-performance digital customization of 3D-printed Ti-based composites.

Artificial Intelligence Enabled Apparel Design Research

Abstract With the increasing demand for personalized fashion, the conventional approach to clothing design struggles to keep up with market expectations. This study explores how artificial intelligence can enhance clothing design, resulting in the creation of a digital customization process that is in step with the evolving trajectory of innovative fashion design. This study integrates the Deeplabv3+ model with a cross-cutting attention mechanism to develop a novel image segmentation network tailored for clothing design, aiming to expand the diversity of design forms. Additionally, the WGAN-GP model is introduced for adaptive optimization of clothing color design, ensuring that the designs align with user preferences. To verify the efficacy of these AI technologies in apparel design, separate simulation verifications for design segmentation and color optimization were conducted. The results show that the Deeplabv3+ network achieved a 6.97% improvement in Mean Intersection over Union (MioU) on the validation dataset, outperforming the OCRNet average by 2.28 percentage points. Moreover, the color optimization with the WGAN-GP model reached a 98.76% color match with the actual garment. Using artificial intelligence technology in apparel design can innovate the design process and provide an adequate technical guarantee to meet the personalized apparel needs of users.

Sustainable value creation through customization for smart PSS models: a multi-industry case study

PurposeThis study is a reference for manufacturers who are promoting their product-service system (PSS) development. Currently, improvements in both digital customization and sustainability for various smart PSS categories have been considered rarely. This paper addresses this research gap by developing relevant models.Design/methodology/approachThe development trends of customization-oriented PSS are described in a literature review. An in-depth multiple-case study methodology is adopted, and seven manufacturing companies are sampled. The goal is to identify digital customization measures that can be employed on representative smart PSS models and to explore how these models can create sustainable value.FindingsThis study provides valuable insights by uncovering a synthesis framework for achieving customization of the product/use/result-oriented smart PSSs, and the relevant representative smart functions are summarized. This identifies how digital customization capabilities can improve sustainability, including direct economic value for customers as well as additional social benefits and environmental improvements during customization.Originality/valueCurrently, the influence of digitalization on customized offerings and the relevant impact on sustainability development have not been fully addressed to date. This study provides comprehensive information with a reference value for digital customization transformation among the three main types of smart PSS.

Alveolar ridge reconstruction with a digitally customized bone block allograft

AbstractBackgroundReduced alveolar ridge volume is an often consequence after tooth loss, compromising implant placement and prosthetic rehabilitation. The digital customization of bone block allografts (BBA) is an alternative that incorporates advantages such as intimate contact with the recipient bed, increasing graft stability and reduced surgical time. In addition, enamel matrix derivate (EMD) has attracted interest for its effect on osteogenic gene expression and cell adhesion; few studies have focused on the benefits of bone regeneration with EMD. The aim of this case report is to present the reconstruction of a severely atrophic alveolar ridge defect with a digitally customized bone block allograft (CBBA) in combination with EMD as an adjuvant for bone regeneration and soft tissue healing.MethodsInitially, the digital planning and manufacture of the BBA was performed based on an initial cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan. EMD was applied to the recipient site and to the CBBA before graft fixation. After 6 months, bone biopsies were obtained on re‐entry surgery for prosthetically guided implant placement.ResultsClinically, bone block showed good integration with the adjacent tissue and no signs of rejection or necrosis were found. On the histological evaluation, new bone was observed in intimate contact with the allograft and showed viable osteocytes and osteoblasts along its entire length. Residual allograft particles were observed to be highly osteoconductive.ConclusionAccording to the clinical and histological results presented, the digital customization of the BBA allows an ideal graft fit to the recipient bed with excellent results in bone regeneration.

Focus on software, data acquisition, and instrumentation

Focus on software, data acquisition, and instrumentation

디지털 기술 발달에 따른 패션테크 시장의 변화

This study categorized and analyzed the fashion technology industry, which is changing with the development of digital technology, into three types according to the common convergence types presented in the previous paper. The first type is the type of technology that has become the center of the fashion technology industry, beginning with the mechanization of the manufacturing sector and converging with the technology that creates automation of production systems. With the growth of the smart manufacturing market, technology types such as the digital fashion technology industry are evolving into an efficient collaboration system in the digital customization industry that can increase productivity by converging with advanced digital technologies. The second is the content platform type, and the digitized fashion technology industry has brought innovative changes in design, manufacturing, distribution, and marketing channels. The fashion platform complements the shortcomings of online marketplaces, enabling virtual fittings, AR virtual store experiences, and 3D implementation of products. Digital technology complements the physical weaknesses of the fashion industry through organic convergence, drives the growth of the fashion platform and e-commerce market, and creates new value. The third is the convergence industry type, and digital technology development enabled the implementation of the metaverse, a futuristic convergence space encompassing the real and virtual worlds. This study is meaningful in suggesting a direction for change in the digital environment of the future fashion industry by analyzing the current status of the fashion technology market that is changing due to the convergence of digital technology. Also, research on fashion technology, a blue ocean market, will likely continue.

Orthodontics on autopilot through digital customization and Programmed Non-Sliding Mechanics

Orthodontic tooth movement occurs in six degrees of freedom, which includes opening and closing spaces. Traditionally, opening and closing spaces are achieved with auxiliaries such as power chains or springs because all traditional bracket systems cannot achieve this tooth movement by themselves. The InBrace system has the capability to program tooth movement in all six degrees of freedom, including opening and closing spaces, through digital customization and its use of Programmed Non-Sliding Mechanics.

Strategy for Utilizing Fashion Design Platform: Centered on AI and Smart Factory Platform

기술은 패션 디자인을 자동화, 개인화, 가속화 시킨다. 빠른 기술 변화에 따라 패션 경영에 패션산업의 디자인 플랫폼 활용의 중요성을 사례를 통해 연구 하고자 하였다. 본 연구에서는 글로벌 패션 기업과 신기술을 접목한 패션 플랫폼 활용 기업을 중심으로 어떻게 패션 플랫폼을 개발하여 적용하며 그 효과는 어떻게 나타나는가를 분석해 보고자 하였다. 사례 조사 결과 신기술을 적용한 패션 플랫폼을 개발하고 구축하여 활용한 패션기업들은 수요예측의 정확성이 높아졌으며 인공지능(AI)를 활용하여 디자인, 제작, 유통, 마케팅전략 실행을 통합적, 효율적으로 할 수 있다. 또한 기존 점포 입지의 특성, 점포 매출 및 성과, 고객 데이터 등을 분석해 신규 점포를 개설할 최적의 입지를 도출할 수 있다. 경영전략에서 중요한 고객 데이터 분석을 통해 고객 인지 및 반응을 정확히 분석하면 매장 내 상품 진열 및 제품 개발에 필요한 중요한 인사이트를 도출해 매출 증대를 꾀할 수 있다. 패션은 복잡한 공정과정을 거쳐야 하지만 신기술을 적용한 패션디자인 플랫폼 활용으로 복잡한 생산 공정을 온라인으로 통합한 패션 의류생산의 스마트팩토리가 가능하게 되었다. 스마트팩토리를 통해 생산부터 유통까지 전 과정을 통제할 수 있으며, 차별화된 서비스를 가능하게 한다. 세계 최대 IT 기업인 Google도 글로벌 패션업체인 H&M과 협업으로 디지털 맞춤 서비스를 가능하게 하였다. 이렇게 AI(인공지능)와 스마트팩토리, 온라인 통합 등의 플랫폼 개발과 적용으로 경영의 효율성을 높이고 소비자들의 개인 맞춤 서비스가 가능하게 되었다. 결론적으로 많은 기업들이 기술을 통한 플랫폼 개발과 구축을 통해 창의적 디자인부터 제작, 유통, 마케팅 전략에 이르기까지 모든 과정을 관리할 수 있어 경영의 효율화를 꾀할 수 있다는 것을 사례를 통해 살펴보았다.Technology automates, personalizes, and accelerates fashion design. This study is intended to research how utilizing the design platform of the fashion industry is necessary for fashion management and what is the strategic method through the cases. This study intends to analyze how to develop and apply a fashion platform centered on global fashion companies and companies that use fashion platforms that incorporate new technologies and their effects. According to the case study, it turned out that fashion companies that develop and build fashion platforms that applies new technologies have increased accuracy in forecasting demand and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled the company to carry out design, production, distribution, and marketing strategies in an integrated and efficient manner. Besides, the characteristics of the existing store location, sales, and performance of the store, and customer data can be analyzed to derive the best location to open a new store. If customer perception and responses are accurately analyzed through analysis of important customer data which is crucial in management strategy can seek to increase sales by deriving important insights needed for product development and product display in stores. Fashion must undergo a complicated production process, but the use of a fashion design platform with new technology made it possible for the smart factory of fashion clothing production that integrates the complex production processes to online. Through a smart factory, the entire process from production to distribution can be controlled and services can be differentiated. Google, the world’s largest IT company, has also teamed up with global fashion company H&M and enabled digital customization services. As such, the development and application of platforms such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), smart factory, and online integration have increased the efficiency of management and enabled customization service for consumers. In conclusion, as examined through the cases, platform development and establishment through technology can enable many companies to manage the entire process from creative design to production, distribution, and marketing strategy, thereby increasing the efficiency of management.

Digital customization of consumer investments in multiple funds: virtual integration improves risk\u2013return decisions

Digital technology in financial services is helping consumers gain wider access to investment funds, acquire these funds at lower costs, and customize their own investments. However, direct digital access also creates new challenges because consumers may make suboptimal investment decisions. We address the challenge that consumers often face complex investment decisions involving multiple funds. Normative optimal asset allocation theory prescribes that investors should simultaneously optimize risk–returns over their entire portfolio. We propose two behavioral effects (mental separation and correlation neglect) that prevent consumers from doing so and a new choice architecture of virtually integrating investment funds that can help overcome these effects. Results from three experiments, using general population samples, provide support for the predicted behavioral effects and the beneficial impact of virtual integration. We find that consumers’ behavioral biases are not overcome by financial literacy, which further underlines the marketing relevance of this research.

An Investigation on Mobile Banking and Co-creation Services Adoption Intention in South Africa

<p>Co-creation of value between the consumer and services providers is an idea that has been receiving much attention. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of consumer motivation on attitudes and adoption intention of co-creational banking activities. By means of a quantitative method, 339 surveys were collected. The research instrument was compiled from existing scales that were adopted for the purpose of this study. The proposed conceptual model and hypotheses were tested using Structural Equation Mod-eling (SEM), while scale reliability and validity was confirmed using SPSS 23. Further, AMOS 23 was used to test the model fit. The findings indicated that all seven proposed hypotheses are significant. Therefore indicating that consumer motives have a positive influence on a consumer’s attitudes toward participating in co-creation activities, which in turn has an impact on rela-tive advantage, complexity and compatibility. Lastly, the results indicate that relationships exist between relative advantage, complexity and compatibility, respectively and adoption intention. This study adds to contextual knowledge of cocreational adoption within digital banking, and provides managers with significant insight into the potential success of digital customization and how banks can benefit from digital co-creation.</p>

Dimensions of Customer Value for the Development of Digital Customization in the Clothing Industry

Triggered by the rapid development of digital technology, Chinese clothing manufacturers have begun to provide digital customization for clothing. The digital transformation of clothing customization provides new opportunities to meet customers’ personalized needs and optimize production resources, and facilitates the sustainable development of the clothing customization industry. This study constructed dimensions of customer value in clothing customization, based on the development of the industry under digital technology. The research was divided into two phases: the first phase involved establishing customer value indicators through expert interviews, questionnaire design, and statistical analyses in SPSS; and the second stage involved the expert group conducting a consumer experience evaluation of a digital customization platform. Thirty customer value indicators were extracted and four dimensions were established: authenticity value, social value, aesthetic value, and utility value. The results of the study show that the value demands of Chinese consumers for apparel customization have shifted to perceptible authenticity values (service, experience, content). The four customer value dimensions proposed by this research can be used to evaluate customer value in digital customization consumption models.

Avatars and the Disease: Digital Customization as a Resource for Self-Perception Assessment in Breast Cancer Patients.

Avatars, or users' renditions within digital environments, may change depending on modifications of users' self-conception. According to literature, chronic health conditions influence patients and survivors' identity, because living with a disease requires people to reconfigure their self-representation and their own daily life and future plans. This is especially true for breast cancer, whose treatment and surgery also affect patients' body image, sexual identity, and sense of womanhood. In this study, 22 breast cancer survivors were asked to create multiple avatars resembling their actual self (AS), their ideal self (IS), and their self connected to the disease experience; then, they were asked to rate their attitudes toward their three avatars. Results show that disease avatars are significantly different in patients' attitudes toward them from AS and IS avatars. In addition, attitudes toward one's own avatars appeared partially related to clinically relevant psychological states, such as anxiety and depression. Discussion explores suggestions for usage of avatars in interventions for assessment and quality-of-life promotion among chronic patients.

Visualizing the Operative and Analytic: Representing the Digital Fabrication Feedback Loop and Managing the Digital Exchange

Digital architecture is process-based and reliant upon a conversation between digital visualization, analysis, and production. With the complexity of information generated in process-based digital practices, we need to effectively manage and exchange the information. Feedback loops are integral to this process/product, and thus require extensive management of complex versions of visual and data related information. Quite a lot of scholarly attention has been focused upon highlighting innovative projects using digital fabrication and serial customization. However, there is a scarcity of scholarly work about innovations in visualizing and representing the design data integral in this feedback loop. This paper will examine innovative representational devices such as the matrix, sectioning, layering, bracketing, nesting, and other new forms of organizing, visualizing, analyzing, and simulating complex data, intent upon communicating multiple levels of operations during the design and fabrication process. With a rigorous taxonomy of operative and analytic devices for process-based digital design development, we can begin to outline a trajectory for future evolutions in practice. This writing is an attempt to make a few steps in this direction, and demonstrate some of these new representational ideas in practice.