Peacocks Medical Group have partnered up with Stratasys to develop orthotic footwear. This new venture takes advantage of the detailed results offered by 3D printing technology.
3D printing is always unravelling new medical marvels. It has influenced a range of medical necessities from prosthetics to organs. Now, this partnership appears to be a crucial step in aiding the burgeoning orthotic industry. Orthotics offer pain relief to those that experience discomfort when walking. Whereas at first it may seem like a smaller item, it is part of a multi-billion dollar industry that helps millions worldwide.
Nylon-11
This particular designs uses laser sintering on Nylon-11. Nylon is a natural fit for clothing and footwear. It is malleable, flexible and quite available. It is also durable, incurs less warping and is easy to produce.
3D Printed Orthotics
Developing orthotics through 3D printing has many various advantages. Firstly, the technology allows designers to custom design each unit so that they’re tailored to each individual customer. This is useful in an industry like medical wear where each customer has very specific needs. With 3D printing, both companies can ensure designs that have individually selected areas of control and flexibility.
This also enables the producers to be less reliable on manufacturers to produce and deliver the orthotics. As such they can keep inventory costs down and produce the orthotics on demand. While other companies may have to buy in bulk, those using 3D printing can make them on a per unit basis.
Stratasys
Stratasys has been working with many various companies over the past few years. The company currently has 1,200 granted or pending additive manufacturing patents. The company has many subsidiaries and also offers consulting services to various other organisations.
