Producing orthotics with a 3D printer gives control over timing, volume and quality. No waiting times with an external manufacturer, no uncertainty about when the order will be ready.
Shapemakers plays two roles in this: as a production partner for practices that want to outsource, and as a supplier of 3D printers for practices that want to produce themselves. In the latter case, you are not alone - we remain available as a maintenance partner.
A 3D printer builds orthotics layer by layer from a digital design.
The support zones, corrections and pressure distribution you define in the CAD model are in the printed sole. No manual interpretation, no variation due to material behaviour of plaster or foam boxes.
The digital design is leading, the printer follows. The result is an orthotic that accurately fits the individual foot and is reproducible in repeat productions.
The Infinite 3D Beltprinter was developed for continuous production of orthotics. Instead of a fixed circuit board, the printer works with a conveyor belt. Once an insole is finished, it is automatically removed and the next print starts. This enables 24/7 production even outside office hours and without a permanent crew.
The filament the Beltprinter works with is called Nimbus Foam: a soft, EVA-like TPU with a matte finish. The look and feel are similar to traditional orthotic materials.
Familiar to the patient, precise in design.
Create it Real's Insolemaker is a printer specifically designed for the production of orthotics in clinical or orthopaedic settings. It stands out on two counts: material and ease of use.
The filament is fully certified for use. Create it Real has conducted extensive research on material properties and slicing settings, resulting in orthotics with excellent pressure distribution. The machine is designed to work reliably even without in-depth technical printer knowledge. Less technical threshold, more focus on treatment.
In practice, the Insolemaker prints an average of six pairs a day and works unattended. On one spool of filament, it runs for more than three days without intervention. This enables continuous production even outside office hours.
The Insolemaker is ideally suited for practices that want to manufacture in-house, but do not want to invest in extensive printer expertise.
Outsourcing to Shapemakers is the logical choice if you want to keep the focus on treatment, without in-house production equipment.You supply the digital file, we produce the orthotic and deliver it back ready
for use back.
Producing in-house with a printer from Shapemakers is the logical choice if you want more control over lead time and volume.Shapemakers supplies the printer, takes care of implementation and remains available as a maintenance partner. So you build up your own production capacity, without having to master the technology yourself.
Whether you print yourself or outsource, the process always starts with the digital design - you provide the file, the printer converts it to a physical orthotic. No manual intermediate steps, no differences in interpretation. What's in the model is in the sole.
Want to know which option best suits your situation? Shapemakers will think with you, whether you want to outsource or produce yourself.
Would you like to know more about our options in podiatry? Then feel free to contact us.
Already a customer, and already have an account? Then you can access our customer-friendly order portal. Here you can order yourself and keep an eye on the order status.
