3D Printing

Walk this way: with 3D printed foot orthotics, people walk more easily

Foot orthotics is a large and growing market, analysts estimate the insole segment will reach $3.5 billion by 2020.

Conventional manufacturing processes require long lead times and are unable to cost-effectively produce custom designs.

Additive manufacturing offers an alternative. Through the use of laser sintering, the Podfo line offers comfortable, tough, lightweight, and thin orthoses customized to each patient’s prescription and footwear. Podfo works with Stratasys Direct Manufacturing in collaboration with Peacocks Medical Group, a medical equipment supplier and creator of Podfo orthotics.

The ‘Podfo Ghost’ model pictured above is lightweight and designed for control at the rear foot and comfort and compliance through the midfoot. (Photo: Business Wire)

3D printing technology works well in applications requiring complex geometries and varying features. For orthotics, 3D printing eliminates the need to deal with top-covers, glued-on pads or foams typically accompanying conventional methods.

In Nylon 11, Podfo has a material perfectly suited to meet thin and lightweight functional requirements. Material durability is tested to millions of cycles – ensuring designs retain optimum effectiveness over years of use.

Stratasys Direct Manufacturing
www.stratasysdirect.com