Producing custom-fit orthoses quickly, resource-efficiently and cost-effectively
Orthoses must fit perfectly. Up to now, orthoses have mainly been made manually, which leads to a high error rate. Digitally based production chains can significantly reduce this waste. The trend of the future is called "microfactory" not only for fashion, but also for medical textiles. The German Institutes for Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) have developed a digital platform for this purpose, which can be used to manufacture precisely fitting flexible textile orthoses in a resource-, time- and cost-saving manner.
For the digital platform, the body data of patients was analyzed and processed at the DITF, on the basis of which standardized orthoses can be developed. Therefore, various body scanning methods were investigated and methods were developed for taking precise body measurements. The information from the screenings was condensed and a digital basic pattern or pattern module database was created.
From this database, the individual model fitting to the patients is carried out. Therapeutic fit is verified using an avatar in 3D simulation software. The finished digital pattern designs are transferred to a cutter, where they are machine-cut to size from elastic fabrics. It is also possible to print the pattern on a plotter/printer as templates and then cut them manually.
The cuts are then processed into finished textile orthoses.
Wissenschaftlicher Ansprechpartner:
Dr. Sibylle Schmied
Head of Technology Center Knitting Technique
T +49(0)711 9340-383
E sibylle.schmied@ditf.de