Figure. Orthotics Analysis
By reducing weight, lead times, and costs, 3-D printing or additive manufacturing (AM) offers significant opportunities for better customization in orthotic and prosthetic development. Today’s state-of-the-art scanning technologies allow for the design of components with complex geometries that can improve the functionality of orthoses and prostheses. And high-volume additive manufacturing using multi-jet fusion 3D printers can cost-effectively produce high feature density components in less time than traditional methods (figure).
Source: Marchbanks L. Improving the Quality of Life: Getting Comfortable with Additive Manufacturing. Poster presented at AOPA 2023 National Assembly; Indianapolis, IN; Sept. 6-9, 2023.
