CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
27 April 2009
Company News
Camplex to Launch Delcam’s Orthotics Software in Australia
Delcam reseller Camplex will stage the Australian launch of the company’s software for the design and manufacture of orthotic insoles at the Australasian Podiatry Conference to be held in Queensland from 12th to 16th May. The software is now in use in many UK organisations, including Blatchfords, Langers, Salts Techstep, Sub 4 and the East Lancashire NHS Trust, so Camplex is confident of repeating this success in Australia.
The Delcam software comprises two programs – OrthoModel and OrthoMill for computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacture (CAM), respectively. This division increases purchasing flexibility for customers; giving both practitioners and laboratories the option to choose the combination of software which best suits their needs.
The combined programs provide a complete solution for the production of high-quality insoles for both the comfort and medical markets. The entire process is driven by a series of easy-to-use menus, which incorporate the terminology used by the industry to describe the various features of the orthotic. This makes it easy for medical and footwear professionals to use the software, even those having little previous experience of working with computers.
Using OrthoModel and OrthoMill 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 industries that are already enjoyed by other areas of footwear manufacture.
Although many customers are expected to use both OrthoModel and OrthoMill, the two programs are completely “open”. OrthoModel can take data from any scanning system or use manual measurements, while OrthoMill can take models from most CAD systems and 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.
The main addition to the latest version of the software is a new method for creating “foot-positive” models. This allows patterns to be designed directly from scan data taken from the patient’s foot to create orthotics in a variety of materials, including carbon fibre.
A new “cast-dressing” option allows the user to apply corrections directly on the scan of a patient’s foot when designing orthotics. This process duplicates on the computer the modifications made to the cast by adding or subtracting plaster using the traditional methods. In a related development, the scan and the orthotic can now be overlaid and viewed together, so that the extent of the changes can be seen easily.
Improvements to existing options include enhancements to the functions for alignment of the scan to give more precise accuracy of measurement. Dynamic editing methods, with immediate on-screen feedback, have been added for heel expansion and for raising or lowering the arch.
In addition, the library of base models provided with the software has been enhanced and extended. Furthermore, customers are now able to add their own library of models, add-ons and cut-outs.
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