Additive manufacture value chain to deliver bespoke orthotics within 48 hours with greatly improved health economics

FDM Digital Solutions, Experts in Additive Manufacturing will develop 3D Printed bespoke foot orthotics with partners Salford insole Healthcare, The University of Salford and East Lancashire NHS Trust. Research in this project will use innovative Additive Manufacturing techniques to combine foot shape capture with other data to design novel foot orthotics. Digital technology prescription allows design freedom, potentially delivering the orthotic device within 48 hrs. The innovative part of the project is that the orthotic will be 3D printed replacing traditional hand-made techniques. The 3D printing manufacturing method allows shape of the insoles and properties of the materials to be altered to exactly match the needs of a patient's foot. This disruptive technology offers a radically new end to end system integration creating a virtual manufacturing cycle triggered by patients needs by introducing a lean supply chain and scaleable business model into the orthotics sector.