Stratasys Direct Manufacturing is collaborating with medical equipment supplier and Podfo orthotics creator Peacocks Medical Group to increase large scale production of 3D printed custom orthotics.
Other foot orthotics manufacturing has long lead times and is not cost-effective when producing advanced design elements. Peacocks Medical Group’s Podfo line is designed using additive manufacturing and avoids those pitfalls.
The Podfo line consists of comfortable, tough, lightweight and thin orthoses that are customized for the prescription and footwear of each patient. 3D printing allows complex geometries to be created, reducing the need for top-covers, glued-on pads or foams that are needed from other manufacturing processes.
“Solving tough design challenges and stimulating innovation are hallmarks of our customers’ success,” said Greg Reynolds, VP of additive manufacturing at Stratasys Direct Manufacturing, in a press release. “Podfo is a perfect example of how millions around the world can now experience life-changing impacts made possible by 3D printing.”
The completely customizable material’s durability in the Podfo line is tested to millions of cycles to make sure it can be used for years.
“In a field like medicine where customization is key, our work with Podfo perfectly exemplifies how 3D printing produces highly specific solutions to improve a patient’s quality of life,” said Scott Rader, general manager of medical solutions at Stratasys. “We’re putting the power of 3D printing to work with Podfo – delivering medical solutions that significantly improve clinical outcomes of the most complex foot ailments.”
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