DITF
(Source: DITF)
Resource efficiency, time and cost savings are essential topics in the textile and apparel industry. The advantages of digital manufacturing apply not only to fashion, but also to medical textiles. To this end, the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research (DITF), Denkendorf/Germany, have developed a digital platform that can be used to produce precisely fitting flexible textile orthoses in a resource, time and cost-efficient manner.
Until now, orthoses have primarily been made manually, which leads to a high error rate. Digitally based manufacturing chains can significantly reduce this waste. 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.
Until now, orthoses have primarily been made manually, which leads to a high error rate. Digitally based manufacturing chains can significantly reduce this waste. 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.
