医疗和牙科

PROTIQ introduces 3D printing-powered orthopaedic shoe-tailoring tool

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Online 3D model marketplacePROTIQhas worked with additive manufacturing software specialisttrinckleto launch a 3D printing-based orthopaedic footwear customization tool.

使用公司的新Web应用程序,制鞋商现在可以上传客户脚扫描并创建符合其确切规格的定制鞋模板。订购后,Protiq SLS 3D从TPU打印了鞋类,然后以比目前允许的木材基于木材的“鞋子最后”制作更快,更精简的方法运输。

“Tailor-made orthopaedic footwear typically takes several weeks to manufacture, particularly because traditional shoe lasts still need to be made from wood,” explained trinckle in a release. “PROTIQ demonstrates how this can be done faster. With the help of additive manufacturing, custom shoe lasts can now be virtually-printed overnight, and are available on the production bench within a few days.”

最后一双用于制作自定义鞋类的鞋子。
Molded shoe lasts are currently needed to make custom orthopaedic shoes. Image via trinckle.

The art of shoe last-making

从本质上讲,鞋子持久是用于塑造定制鞋类的脚形式,尤其是骨科型号,精度是满足每个佩戴者确切需求的关键。为了生产完美合身的鞋子,诸如客户的脚跟和鞋垫尺寸之类的方面以及在步行时需要进行滚动运动,因此持久代表了医疗鞋垫生产的重要元素。

At present, shoemakers tend to mill lasts from wood or mold them from foam based on a client’s sole, ball, instep and heel specifications, before sanding them down in a lengthy and costly process. Although ‘blank’ casts are also available, they often need reworking, making the approach similarly long-winded and inefficient.

而且,无论哪种制造方法骨科制造商选择采用哪种制造方法,他们目前必须等待几周才能持续到达,才能开始自定义。结果,Protiq现在通过利用3D打印的灵活性来迅速和大规模地提供定制的骨科,从而发现了加强鞋类生产过程的机会。

一组3D打印的鞋子最后一件。
PROTIQ’s new configurator allows shoemakers to order custom shoe lasts to exact specifications. Image via trinckle.

Expediting orthopaedic production

To overcome shoemaking’s current limitations, PROTIQ has worked closely withBASF子公司前进to qualify the optimal TPU for 3D printing shoe lasts, as compared to conventional beachwood, TPUs have greater flexibility and stress resistance, making them ideal for SLS additive manufacturing foot forms.

Additionally, within its new production workflow, PROTIQ leverages its own vacuum thermoformer to pre-qualify 3D printed lasts, in a process that it says is much faster than deploying a test shoe, yields parts with “excellent mechanical properties,” and is ultimately “the most innovative” manufacturing method in orthopaedic footwear.

Once printed, the resulting molds can be tacked or grinded by shoemakers without showing signs of abrasion, and they’re able to keep their shape when being milled, drilled or placed under pressure too. As an added bonus, the firm’s models also feature an ‘easy-grip’ surface, making them lightweight and generally much easier to work with.

最后,为了补充其新的3D打印设置,Protiq已转向长期合作伙伴Trinckle,以开发一种简单而直观的方法,以允许制鞋商上传客户模型。反过来,Trinckle建立了一个在线门户网站,使客户能够无缝设计,自定义和订购鞋子持久,甚至允许他们在需要之前在下订单之前创建一对。

Fortiq的网站上写道:“我们的免费鞋子最后配置器使您可以轻松地上传脚扫描并根据它们来塑造个人最后的鞋底。”“然后,您可以调整腿轴,曲折,变形等。一旦将3D型号完全配置为客户的需求,您所要做的就是订购,最后可以打印。”

一个屏幕shot taken from PROTIQ's new configurator.
PROTIQ’s new online shoe-tailoring configurator. Image via trinckle.

AM and insole customization

PROTIQ’s web-based approach might well be unique, but high-profile sports brands likeAdidasandUnder Armour众所周知,已经是3D打印自定义鞋垫已有几年了。在过去,耐克has also experimented with digital personalization in the form of its ‘Nike Fit’ app, which allowed users to通过3D扫描测量脚

同样,坚持运动,New Balancehas previously worked withFormlabsto launch anew 3D printing platform这能够生产个性化的轻质鞋子组件。该系统被称为“ Triplecell”,用于改进New Balance的Classic 990 Sport和Fuelcell Echo运动鞋的设计。

Elsewhere, in more clinical applications,Bayer足部护理品牌Scholl博士revealed at CES 2019 that it was working withWiivv开发一条线customized 3D printed footwear。Now renamed FitMyFoot, the firm’s technology revolves around a scanning app, which lets users image their feet and create customized medical-grade footwear accordingly.

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以图像显示去年用于麦鞋e custom footwear. Image via trinckle.