Delcam held a successful second Orthotics Technology Forum in North America at Loyola University, Chicago, during June. The company has now confirmed that the next meeting in the North American series will be held in partnership with the Pedorthic Association of Canada in Vancouver during 2015 at a date and venue to be finalized.
The full details will be announced on www.orthotics-technology-forum.com soon.
The reaction of the delegates in Chicago was best expressed by Richard Prenger of Walking Wellness who said, “I have been to a number of conferences over the years but this one was different. I leant so much over the course of the two days.”
One of the main themes of the Forum was the use of technology in the design and manufacture of custom orthotic insoles for the diabetic foot. Peter Cavanagh, endowed Chair in Women’s Sports Medicine and professor and vice chair for research in the Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle, opened this session with the forum’s keynote address, “Evidence for the efficacy of insoles based on shape and plantar pressure.”
Other speakers on this topic included Scott Telfer, Research Fellow currently seconded to University of Washington, who presented on finite element modeling of the diabetic foot, and Dr. Geza Kogler, Coordinator of Research at Georgia Tech School of Applied Physiology Prosthetic and Orthotics, who updated the audience on the latest research at the School.
The other main topic presented and discussed at the event was the possibility of using additive manufacturing or 3D printing, rather than machining for the creation of custom orthotic insoles. Presentations were given showing how to make the best of both the additive and subtractive approaches, with the subsequent Open Forum providing an opportunity for the delegates to question industry experts from both sides of the debate.
Other highlights of the Forum were a welcome reception at the Residence of the British Consulate General in Chicago and the presentation by LER magazine of market research funded by Delcam into the progress of digital technology into orthotics manufacture in North America.
For further information on Delcam’s software for orthotics design and manufacture, please contact: -
Peter Dickin, Marketing Manager
Direct phone: 44 (0)121 683 1081 e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
