Subsidised design support improves orthotics
A
Technology Innovation Centre product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Oct 17, 2005
A new company has come to market through significant design support from Birmingham's Technology Innovation Centre and West Midlands Technology Network funding.
In a working world often blighted by problems of posture and back-pain, a key solution often lies in the feet.
Recent years have seen an increased use of "orthotic" insole supports to correct some causes of feet and back problems in both young and old, in sporting, working and leisure pursuits.
Barney Gardner, an expert in foot-related biomechanical problems, saw the need to offer a better designed orthotic product.
He helped establish a company in Birmingham to design and make a new product for this expanding market.
It has been brought to market through significant design support from Birmingham's Technology Innovation Centre (TIC) and West Midlands Technology Network (WMTN) funding.
Working with EVA polymeric material, Gardner sought help in designing a product that would perform well while being attractive-looking.
An appealing design was key to overcoming customers' qualms in helping sufferers of a wide variety of complaints.
From back pain to tendonitis, blisters to flat feet, the list of problems orthotic insoles can relieve is extensive.
An initial application within the TIC-managed Intelligent Manufacturing programme, led to Gardner receiving subsidised design support through TIC's leading role in WMTN.
A computer-aided design was derived and finite elements analysis applied to ensure the better-looking product was also better-performing.
The resulting rubber mould formed the basis of a prototype.
In conjunction with TIC, Gardner sought help from the West Midlands Manufacturing Advisory Service to derive a suitable prototype in a polymeric material.
Successful field-testing by specialists followed, leading then to the recently re-fitted TIC workshop producing a pre-production model.
That enabled Footrite to establish a volume-production, polymeric-mould supplier, through the TIC's excellent range of connections.
A key auxiliary Footrite product is the company's corrective "heel wedge" - a device which attaches to the orthotic insole.
It can adjust posture in a more extreme way.
The unique Footrite design is of particular importance to those needing significant correction to feet or posture.
Gardner comments: "Under the WMTN programme, TIC has made significant and valuable input to the designs of both Footrite insoles and heel wedge".
"We are now ready to launch the full orthotic product range".
With 21st century lifestyles causing evermore stress, wear and tear on feet legs and backs, Gardner sees a growth market beckoning.
Footrite is open to further investment interest in the new business venture.
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