Application of Machine Tools in Orthoses Manufacture

CNC technology is widely used in the manufacture of medical products. An area in which CNC technology has proven to be extremely useful and innovative is Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P). O&P laboratories are engaged in the manufacture of individual orthoses and prostheses. The usual manual manufacture of such products takes a long time and requires tremendous experience and skill. In this regard, any engineering solution that improves the quality of the production process; reduces production time, production costs, and physical human labor; and at the same time improves the environmental conditions of the production environment will be desirable. Various designs of CNC machine tools for the manufacture of orthoses or molds for their production are in use today. In most cases, customized commercially available numerical control lathes and milling machines are used, as well as industrial robotic arms, but there are also highly specialized designs. For the mentioned purpose, we also encounter the application of additive manufacturing (AM) devices. Due to the fact that issuing of orthoses is often the subject of cost reduction in healthcare systems, the pursuit of production systems that will be cost-effective and functional, easily implemented, and used primarily in small manufacturing practices is imperative

A New Approach to the Design of a CNC Machine for Making Orthotic Moulds

This paper is about defining a different novel concept of a simple machine for producing spinal orthosis moulds. Should such a machine be developed, the required functionality with a special emphasis on low price is to be achieved. The paper considers the issues regarding the kinematics and feasibility confirmation as related to the concept. A CAD model made for the purpose of simulation and activities related to the software development for generating tool trajectories along with the belonging kinematics and trajectory visualization were carried out