LaserCAM Orthotics - General Workflow (ECP)

This article contains a very brief overview of the workflow for ECP.

Creating/Submitting Prescription

The first step is for a clinician to generate a digital prescription from LaserCAM Prescribe.

1. Open LaserCAM Prescribe

2. Click New Prescription → 3D Printed/Machined EVA

3. Complete all relevant prescriptive fields.

4. Click Finalise → Submit to Lab

Open

Adding Job for Production.

The digital prescription is now ready to be added as a new job in the LaserCAM Cloud.

1. Open LaserCAM Cloud

2. Click File Inbox

3. Click Add to Job on the incoming digital prescription.

   Open

   

4. On the Import Job Details to import the job details.

   1. Match the corresponding job detail from the imported prescription.

5. Click the Auto-Bill to import the billable items from the prescription.

Initiating CAD Process

We can now begin the computer-aided design (CAD) process.

1. Click on Quality Management System (QMS)

2. Click Assign Task and in Manufacturing Step enter CAD.

3. Click the Start Modelling to open the modelling software.

4. The modelling software will now open.

CAD - Alignment Phase

The first step in CAD is to align the foot scan according to the Clinical Measures.

1. Click Files → Display Left Foot

2. A 3D scan of the patient’s left foot should now appear on the screen

3. Click Place Points

4. In specific order, click the Heel Point → 1st MPJ Centre Point → 5th MPJ Centre Point

5. Click Align for Valgus or Align for Varus

6. Click Accept

7. Click Apply

8. Position the scan in the Plantar view using the controls along the bottom toolbar.

9. Position the scan in the Heel view using controls along the bottom toolbar according to a provided

CAD - RefPoints Phase

The next step is to place RefPoints that will allow for the generation of an orthotic model.

1. Click RefPoints from the toolbar.
   
   

    

2. Click Yes.

3. Use the middle-click of your mouse to place a point at the apex of the medial longitudinal arch (MLA).
   
   

4. Use the middle-click of your mouse to place a point at the widest point of the lateral heel.
   
   

    

5. Use the middle-click of your mouse to place a point at the widest point of the medial heel.
   
   

    

6. Use the middle-click of your mouse to place a point at the point in which you would like the orthosis shell to end in width and length at the lateral forefoot.
   
   

    

7. Use the middle-click of your mouse to place a point at the point in which you would like the orthosis shell to end in width and length at the lateral forefoot.
   
   

    

8. Click Accept
   
   

    

9. A red orthosis model will now be generated based on the RefPoints placed on the foot. The generation of this red orthosis model will also be dependent on prescriptive variables input into your LaserCAM Prescribe prescription.
   
   

CAD - Model Dimension Confirmation

The next step in CAD is to check the prescriptive values and make sure that the model has been generated correctly.

1. Make sure that the foot scan is sitting within 1mm of the posterior heel region of the orthotic.

2. Check that the Shell Length is correct.

3. Check that the Shell Width is correct.

4. Check that the Heel Width is correct.

   1. Click RefPoints from top bar and use 2D distance to check the scan width.

   2. Multiply this value by the Heel Expansion value, e.g. - 58mm x 1.15 = 66.7mm (Orthotic Heel Width)

5. Check that the Arch Expansion is correct.

   1. Click Views → Toes

   2. Zoom in the view and right-click the screen and click Wireframe.

   3. Measure the distance between the Medial Arch Ref Point and the ground and ensure that the difference in height between the foot scan and orthotic is the correct percentage.

6. Apply a surface Merge.

   1. Ensure Fairing setting is selected prior to clicking Apply.

   2. It is recommended to not click more than 5 times, or the orthotic mesh may distort too much.

7. Use Central Control Point to adjust any large areas of breakthrough.

   1. Ensure that the Options → Radius is set to 35mm or 50mm

      1. A lower value may result in a sharp bump/raise.

8. Apply a Global Smooth as a final step

   1. Do not smooth until you have applied any other additional modelling features, e.g. - PFA, etc.

9. Set the Heel Post using Model → Heel Post → Set

10. Set the Plantar Modifiers using Model → Plantar Modifiers → Accept

11. Click Export → STL

    1. In the serial number section remove the clinic name (too much text takes too long)

    2. Click Pick Point and click on the bottom of the orthotic in a region where there are no other features that may distort the serial number text

    3. Click Export

    4. Click Enter on the keyboard.

CAD - Other Modelling Features

The next step is to apply any other modelling features that are indicated on the prescription form, which may include Plantar Fascia Accommodation (PFA), Skive, Plantar Modifiers, Posting.