Technology – between vision and implementation - Removing or constructing?

Removing or constructing?

Prof. Jim Woodburn, director of the Glasgow Caledonian University, opposed in the third block the additive production to the subtractive one. We already presented in detail his ideas for new functions with the 3D-printer for custom-made orthotics and the work in the finished "a-foot-print"-project in detail. In his lecture he reached the conclusion that the additive production, such as e.g. 3D-printing, is a feasible technology for the production of custom-made orthotics – combined with the 3D-scan for the shape and with a CAD-basis technology. Here integrated, personalized biomechanics lead to an enhanced functionality. For him the most important challenge is the implementation in the daily work practice.

Dr. Jari Pallari, research and development manager at Peacocks Medical Group, Newcastle, UK, then described how the additive production of custom-made orthotics can find its way into industrial production, using the example of Podfo. With the help of a life cycle of technologies, he compared milling ("late majority" – shortly after the point of culmination) to the additive production ("early application" – on the way to the majority). Pallari sees a big potential in the additive production, but at the same time he warns about the idea that only because we have the technology, we can also manufacture a functional orthotic. He regards these "do-it-yourself-people" as a danger for patients and also for experts.