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All,
I'm looking to invest in CAD/ CAM production plant for orthoses manufacture. Need to be able to scan traditional casts and to mill both blown foams and plastics. I've seen the ideas system and sharp shape, does anyone have any working knowledge of these or can anyone recommend alternatives?

 

Simon

I have produced a system capable of milling both foams and polyprops at a commercial level - costing over £100K. If you are looking to produce your own system, you may find that the current Orthotic based commercial systems do not either offer enough design flexibility e.g lateral Skives, Inverted pours, 2-4 scoops etc or can only mill one type of material.
If you are serious about creating your own system, start from scratch and use an off the shelf CAD package and take time to learn how to use it, buy a generic scanner (These can be bought for under £3K and purchase a table top router of a commercial origin - not one designed for 'orthoses'.

If you want more advice, contact me privately.

Phil

 

Hi Simon,

We use an Orthotist company for our CAD/CAM TCIs.

www.peacocks.net

They also have a factory in Southampton, Tel 02380 737 000.

Speak to Colin Peacock company boss, approachable chap.
Don't let him sell you any glass eyes though!

 

I would add to your list the German company Pedcad http://www.pedcad.de/beginn.php3

Ideas and Pedcad cost half the price from Sharp Sharpe.

Sometime ago, I did a benchmarking from the different CAD-CAM systems. First of all, I would concern about economics. A CAD-CAM system is profitable when more than 100 pairs of orthotics are made every month.

The second subject is about the software. I doubt that any software available now is offering the flexibility you request. For example, Belgians neither Germans know what a medial skive is.

You can develop your own software, but would it be worth it? I would make a list from my requirements and compare between the different commercial versions. Have you thought about AMFIT? From my point of view, it offers a quite balanced product although you can not scan a negative cast, but you can mill a positive one.

Regards,