Delcam Crispin to show orthotics software at podiatrists’ conference

Delcam Crispin will demonstrate its OrthoModel software for the design and manufacture of orthotic insoles at the Annual Conference of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists to be held in Bournemouth from 23rd to 25th October. OrthoModel is the latest addition to the company’s comprehensive range of software for the footwear industry. The highly-automated system provides a complete solution, from the import of scanned data from the customer to the machining of the orthotic, that produces high-quality insoles for both the comfort and medical markets.

The complete OrthoModel process is driven by a series of easy-to-use menus that incorporate the specific terminology used by the industry to describe the various features of the orthotic. These menus have been developed in association with a number of orthotics’ manufacturers to ensure that the system can be used by technicians in the industry without any need for training in general CADCAM technology.

The software is also completely "open” in that it can take data from any scanning system or use manual measurements, and can output machining instructions to any milling machine. Delcam Crispin is happy to recommend the type of equipment that is required to companies that are new to computer-aided manufacturing.

Once the customer’s details have been imported, OrthoModel includes a full range of options to design the orthotic, including features such as Kirby skive, cobra cut-out, deep heel cups and medial arch flange. Text and logos can be added to the design to engrave customer details and/or company information.

OrthoModel can then arrange a series of orthotics inside a block to give the most efficient use of material and automatically add the machining tabs needed to hold the items in place during machining. The complete set of toolpaths for the group of items can then be created automatically. The resulting toolpaths can be simulated on the computer to check that the results are exactly as required.

Using OrthoModel reduces the time needed to prepare orthotics so giving the faster turn-around times that customers demand. In addition, the use of computer-based design and manufacturing techniques brings the benefits of accuracy and quality to the orthotics industry that are already enjoyed by other sectors of footwear manufacturing.