The Basics & Material Choice

The Basics

Mass customization is an empowering proposition for consumers and designers. Once the processes are understood, the possibilities are only limited by one’s own imagination. There are several factors that will make a design more mass customization friendly. A good designer will consider many of these factors when making choices and refining their own designs.

Material Choice

A single object may be made from a variety of materials. Often time’s more than one material can create a similar object; a table can have a wood top or glass top. Each material has a standard of measurement in which it is gauged. Sheet goods, for example, usually come in standard sizes of 4’x4’ or 5’x5’ available in thickness ranging from 1/8” to 2”. This is a common sizing for anything flat, from glass or sheet metal to plywood, sheet veneers, plastic and solid surfaces. Block measurements, such as wood, plastic or glass use the processing method to define size. Each material with have it’s own grade and thickness associated with it. These block sizes tend to be smaller in width and length, but generally thicker. Hardwood is measured using the quarter system, and comes in rough dimensions from a wood mill in 1” to 1 1/5” thick, with a length up to 18’ long depending on the species of wood.