ZEMCH 2015 - International Conference Proceedings | Page 506

Introduction In manufacturing, the need for more flexible products has been addressed through the delivery of mass customized products. In fact, mass customization has been pointed out as an effective way to achieve high-value added products within short time frames and at relatively low costs (Davis, 1987; Pine II, 1994). Davis (1987) was one of the pioneers in defining such term, referring to the strategy of reaching a large number of customers, as in mass production, while providing the individual treatment of craft production. Nowaday