Clik.fit

Right fit with ClikFit

The client

Founded in the Netherlands, Clik.Fit originated from observing challenges faced by athletes with traditional mouthguards during the 2018 Hockey Women’s World Cup. With expertise in Additive Manufacturing and sports, they envisioned creating custom-made mouthguards that eliminate common discomforts. Now with the capacity to produce over 300,000 mouthguards annually, Clik.Fit aims to dominate 10% of the global market by 2030, translating to more than 5 million mouthguards.

The challenge

Clik.fit’s prototype of a 3D printed mouthguard was promising. However, the critical challenge lay in establishing a validated production process capable of manufacturing these mouthguards at a massive scale without compromising on cost.

In collaboration with AMcubator, a hub for developing scalable 3D printed applications, and through partnerships with industry leaders like Stratasys and Rösler, we architected an end-to-end production process that emphasizes quality assurance. This novel approach enabled the creation of mouthguards that not only meet the demands of high-volume production but are also safe for intraoral use. Notably, the innovative design ensures a shock absorption capacity surpassing the existing gold standard set by dental labs.

The result

Perfect and fast Mouth Protection with the Clik.fit Digital Supply Chain

In a world where efficiency and sustainability are key, digital technology has transformed numerous industries. The field of mouth protection is no exception. Traditional methods, rooted in decades-old practices, have been upended by the innovative Clik.fit Digital Supply Chain, which promises to elevate the entire production process. But how does this modern approach compare to conventional methods, and what makes it so special?

In the traditional supply chain, creating a custom-fitted mouthguard is a laborious journey. It begins with a physical impression of the customer's bite, which is then transformed into a plaster positive—a fragile mold that acts as the foundation for the final product. This mold is heated, filled, ground, and polished, all through a series of steps that involve transferring the plaster positive between labs, dentists, and eventually to the customer. Not only is this process time-consuming, but each physical transfer adds logistical costs and environmental burdens. Even worse, slight inaccuracies in the molding can lead to uncomfortable fits, requiring additional adjustments.

Traditional supply chain

Clik.Fit Digital Supply Chain

Clik.fit reimagines this entire process by embracing the potential of a fully digital workflow. It starts with a 3D scan of the customer's bite, captured through digital means. This scan is transmitted electronically, reducing the need for physical transport and expediting the process by eliminating the traditional plaster casting stage. The digital file is sent directly to industrial 3D printers, where advanced technology translates the scan into a perfectly fitting mouthguard, customized to the customer’s unique dental profile. This seamless transition from scan to print simplifies production and guarantees an exceptional fit.

The efficiency gains don't end there. By removing several intermediate steps, the Clik.fit Digital Supply Chain significantly reduces production time, costs, and waste. Physical molds are no longer necessary, minimizing material usage and environmental impact. The reduction in physical transportation also cuts down on carbon emissions, aligning with modern sustainability goals. Moreover, accuracy is greatly improved. A digital 3D scan offers a level of precision that is unparalleled in traditional processes. The result is a mouthguard that fits perfectly, often requiring no final adjustments. Customers are delighted by the quicker turnaround times and fewer required visits, making their experience much more convenient.

The advantages

Ambitious Scaling

Enabled Clik.fit’s vision of manufacturing 5,000,000 mouthguards annually.

Digital Supply Chain

Offer a fully digital supply chain to customers, replacing the expensive and unsustainable traditional methods.

Superior Protection

Delivered a mouthguard with enhanced shock absorption than the current benchmark.

Find out more about the mouthguards in the video:

Additive Center takes great pride in being a founding member of AMcubator. This ecosystem enables us to collaborate with other top-tier companies to achieve optimal results. What distinguishes AMcubator is our steadfast dedication to delivering tangible business value. From housing leading 3D printing companies to providing cutting-edge equipment in our pilot factory, AMcubator offers a distinctive platform for collaboration and innovation. Our objective? To streamline your AM journey, enhance processes, and ultimately propel scalable applications to market success. Interested in discovering how AMcubator can add value? Click here to learn more.


The following companies contributed to this specific project:

 With the build job simulation of Simufact Additive (Hexagon) it was possible to get an estimation of final stresses and displacement of the part and to identify areas which could lead to critical build job failures.

With its library of most common used OEM machines and materials the set up was quite straight forward. Hexagon's support was crucial in meeting the specs of this part.

Inspired by the possibilities of 3D-printed mouthguards? Drop us a message to start a conversation about how we can bring your ideas to life

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