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Info on scanners

Discussion in 'Biomechanics, Sports and Foot orthoses' started by Adam, Nov 22, 2009.

  1. Adam

    Adam Welcome New Poster


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    Dear anyone,
    Am looking for a 3D optical laser scanner for my practice. Just wanting the scanner at the moment to then email files to a cad/cam lab, with a view to upgrading later to cast correction software. Have spent a number of hours reading and rereading the foot scanner threads on Podiatry arena. I have already looked at brands such as sharpshape, Vorum and oretek. Just hoping someone can give me a list of other suitable scanners on the market, not mentioned in these forums.
    Thanks in advance
    Adam
     
  2. Adam, there are many scanners on the market that would be suitable, depends on whether you want to scan the foot, scan a cast, or both. Moreover, it depends on your budget. Also it depends on whether you want to be tied into one lab or not.

    A google search will give a wide range of 3d scanners.
     
  3. joejared

    joejared Active Member


    Most new OreTek clients simply scan and electronically ship and let the lab technicians do the rest. Going beyond scanning and into actual orthotic design(corrections), effectively means training in terms of what lab technicians do to prepare an orthotic for machining. When considering any scanner, your goals and intended vendor will define what sort of products you're limited to. There are many scanning systems out there, but only a few offer a cad/cam solution, which narrows your scope of search quite a bit for your long term goals. You also need to pay close attention to another issue, cost$

    Cost benefit analysis:
    How much does it cost, how much does it save, and how long will it take for the unit to pay for itself?

    Shipping expenses alone makes payback on investment for an OreTek Client system at 18 pair/month 1 year, assuming $6.00/pair shipping via common couriers. Accounting for labor and time savings, it's significantly shorter. Increase the cost of the scanner, and that period gets longer. One of my customers redesigned the enclosure for my scanner to an injection mold design, which will be an option that increases payback on investment by a few months, but we both have the right attitude about it in that it's what the unit produces that is the real profit maker, not the scanner.

    Recurring expenses:
    Just about every vendor has such a thing in one form or another. For my own network, it's called royalties for product sold, effectively amounting to $0.50/surface (as high as $2.00/pair). Many inexpensive scanning systems have click charges, and from what I've been told, amounting to as high as $12.00/pair. Either the vendor has a rather high sale price, or very high click charges, as the rule, not the exception.

    Free if?:
    Free often means must ship X number of pairs/month, otherwise not free. This is a common practice, even within my own network, although our numbers are significantly lower due to lower investment costs. Also, and free might be free from all appearances, but how much are the orthotics, and how do they compare to competitors in terms of material tolerances, design capabilities, and price?

    Cad/Cam capabilities:
    Just what kinds of things can their cad/cam system do, and just how are they applying the scan data? One competitor's cad/cam solution has an arch that has the same longitudinal relationship relative to overall length. Effectively, this means every arch contour is the same, irrespective of input data and perhaps some change in altitude. Look for samples before buying any system, and challenge the vendor to give you what you want, the way you want it, before buying a scanner to interface with them.

    Software update fees

    Technical support/training fees

    Email/Transmission of data.

    Transmission of data from the client site (scanning site) to a client/server site (manufacturing lab) often involves routing and preprocessing, and often, -click- charges. For a complete cad/cam solution, the data needs to work independent of the vendor site. That is also a key question to ask, as at least one scanner requires preprocessing by the scanner vendor. For my own network of labs, any client can use scanner data in real time to prepare an orthotic for machining, although actual routing of data does happen through my routing hub, to account for the varying types of network connections withinin my group. Anything can be emailed, as it's a native feature, more commonly used for technical support, but transmission is simply a form of automation that integrates connection client to client/server sites.

    Scanning quality:

    This one is a big issue, as many require routing to the vendor site for just this reason. If the data is not usable seconds from when it is made, look for smoke and/or mirrors, and expect to hear the word, "algorithms". At least one vendor has a scan output quality that is pathetic, and it doesn't have a cad/cam solution, so it's not one you should consider anyway.

    Data formats:

    Available formats is a tricky topic. While some preach iges, stl, and raw formats like they are gospel, it's really about options in terms of manufacturing laboratories. When considering work with any laboratories, your first question should be what available formats/systems are supported.

    I only sell scanners that output in OreTek proprietary format, and only to OreTek users for OreTek software and laboratories. At one time, I used to import data from other scanners. At one time, I also considered exporting to other formats, but in the end I decided not to out of loyalty to my own customer base. In the end, this was a widely accepted decision within my own network of labs, simply because they know they aren't competing with me. About 2 months ago, I eliminated support of all other scanners, and simply shipped one of mine to the last lab using them at my expense. Best business decision this year, because it was inferior, a pain in the anal quarters to deal with, and not a cost effective scanning solution, ($6.5K), It cost me $350.00+shipping to replace it.
     
  4. footsteps2

    footsteps2 Active Member

    Hi Adam,

    Please see my ad just posted. I have an orthotech foot scanner for sale which is a 3D optical scanner. Only used 5 times including new Toshiba laptop, tripod and foot scanner )portable if required).

    Please e mail me on bioanatomy@aapt.net.au if you require further details. I am selling for $1500 less than new price.

    Liz
     
  5. Admin2

    Admin2 Administrator Staff Member

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