CADCAM friend or foe a technician's point of view

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CAD/CAMfriend or foe a technician's point of
view

• By Robert Solley AChS
• Eastern Coastal Kent PCT

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Who am I ?

• Podiatry technician
• 20 years experience
• 12 years in Podiatry
• Chair Podiatry Technician Group
• Sit on the Society health and safety panel
• Represent technicians at Society faculty of
  undergraduate education meetings

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CAD/CAM

• Computer Aided Design
• Using a scanner
• A high spec computer
• Design software
• Reverse engineering software

• Computer Aided Manufacture
• Using a milling machine

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CAD

• 3D models of components generated in CAD software
  are used to generate a CNC code to drive
  numerical controlled machine tools.

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CNC

• The abbreviation CNC stands for computer
  numerical control , and refers specifically to a
  computer "controller" that reads instructions
  and drives a machine tool, a powered mechanical
  device typically used to fabricate components by
  the selective removal of material.

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Reverse engineering software
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Why we needed it !

• Very strong biomechanics service in East Kent
• Need for orthoses has massively increased
• Victim of our own success

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Plus points for technicians

• Improved working conditions
• Improved health and safety
• New skills transferable into the private sector
• Re-train for a greater and more varied role
  within the department

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Plus points for PCT.

• Faster manufacturing
• Increased accuracy
• Better repeatability
• Greater adaptability
• Low turn around times
• Harder wearing devices

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Minus points

• Fear of redundancy
• Fear of change
• Fear of technology
• Possible de-skilling

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CAM

• CAM does not eliminate the need for skilled
  professionals such as Manufacturing Engineers .
  CAM, in fact, builds the skills of those
  professionals

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Re-training

• Greater role in casting and fitting
• Assist with nail surgery
• Learn to set up and use diagnostic equipment such
  as F-scan

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Process

• Decide what we wanted CAD/CAM to do
• Identify a system
• Cost it out
• Approach the trust with a proposal
• Approach the hospital league of friends for
  partial funding
• Approach estates dept to alter room usage
• Order system and milling machine
• Training

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Which system

• Sharp Shape
• Widely used in the USA
• Offered us complete independence
• Could be used to design both functional foot
  orthoses and total contact devices

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Milling machine

• Hurco Europe
• Model VM1
• Able to produce both direct milled polypropylene
  devices and EVA devices
• Very good extraction

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Milling Machine

• A milling machine is a machine tool used for the
  complex shaping of metal and other solid
  materials. Its basic form is that of a rotating
  cutter or endmill which rotates about the spindle
  axis (similar to a drill), and a movable table to
  which the work piece is affixed. That is to say,
  the cutting tool generally remains stationary
  (except for its rotation) while the work piece
  moves to accomplish the cutting action. Milling
  machines may be operated manually or under
  computer numerical control

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The problems start

• 3 phase electrical supply
• C.E. marking of the scanner
• Pre-purchase questionnaire
• Product code

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THE END !

• Any questions ?