CAD carver blanks, responses

CAD carver blanks, responses

David Hendricks, CPO, FAAOP

Here is the question that I asked:

Dear O&P list server member:

I'm passing this question along from a friend who is not on this list server.

She is into a new project involving CAD carving of LSO and TLSO spinal molds.
She has gotten familiar with the carver, and has poured and carved a couple
of polyurethane blanks, but she wonders if there isn't a less expensive
material for blanks.

I have heard of pre-formed blanks made from polystyrene, I think. Is this
true? Are there other, better materials? She wants to do a fair volume and is
interested in cost savings, both labor and initial
material costs.

One final note: I am headed off for a week's vacation, so I won't answer your
replies or post a summary of responses until almost the end of the month.

Thanks, in advance, for the help.

David

And, here are the responses:

From: <Email Address Redacted>
To: <Email Address Redacted>

Contact Jeff Peterman and Ronnie Graves at PRS 352-793-
4477 for info on lower cost urethanes and polystyrene also.
Dear listserv member:

||

From: <Email Address Redacted> (Stephen Hockey)
Reply-to: <Email Address Redacted>
To: <Email Address Redacted>

Dear David,

We have found pouring our own cad blanks to be a very time consuming process.
The PU foam in liquid form is fairly expensive, and the results were never as
good as with commercial blanks, so in Australia at least there isn't a great
deal to saved making your own foam blanks. I haven't heard of polystyrene
blanks, but there are a variety of commercial materials from which these
blanks
are made. One of the finest quality blanks I have seen is that made by IPOS.
Your friend could try making the blanks out of a mixture of plaster and corn
starch as per the Seattle recipe. This is a much cheaper alternative, however
it
is very time consuming (the blanks have to be cured in an oven), and there is
the factor of extra wear and tear on your carver.
Another solution we are about to try is to purchase the HD PU foam in large
blocks from a company that makes it for lining commercial coolrooms. Here, the
High Density foam is available in 4' x 8' x 2' blocks, and can be cut up into
smaller blocks for an additional fee. The resultant cost per BK blank is about
1/3 of the commercial blanks. We do have a large bandsaw that can cut up
larger
blocks, but as your friend is doing spinal work, the blocks could be quite
large
and can be rough cut (Corners taken off etc,) with a garden pruning saw or
similar to fit her requirements.

Stephen Hockey
Technical Officer
La Trobe University
National Centre for
Prosthetics and Orthotics
Victoria Australia 3086
Tel: +61 3 9479 5747
Fax: +61 3 9479 5036
Email: <Email Address Redacted>
WWW: www.latrobe.edu.au/www/ncpo/

||

From: <Email Address Redacted> (Terrance Bloom)
To: <Email Address Redacted>

Hi David,

I have been involved in the R&D of CAM equipment and would be glad to
discuss this matter further with your friend (www.medico-supplies.com).

Terrance Bloom C.P.(c)

||

From: <Email Address Redacted> (The Blooms)
To: <Email Address Redacted>

Hi David,
I am not sure if this will be of assistance to you, as I do not know what her
current costs are and quantity being purchased.
I am the Vice President of Medico Supplies Inc. We manufacture polyurethane
foam blanks in 2LB and 4LB. I am able to negotiate on quantity. It is
important that you contact me to discuss if I can be of any assistance. My
toll free no: 1-877-263-3426
Please see <URL Redacted> for preliminary pricing.
I look forward to your call,
Sincerely,
Larry Bloom
Medico Supplies Inc.

||

From: <Email Address Redacted> (Alan Sandifer)
To: <Email Address Redacted> ( <Email Address Redacted> )

We at Orthomerica are doing a fair amount of CAD carving with pu foam
blanks. The key with spinal pu blanks is blank management for re-use.
Unfortunately, re-use is much less practical with lower extremity shapes. I
would be very interested in any information regarding polystyrene blanks.

Alan Sandifer

||

From: <Email Address Redacted> (Mark Mazloff)
To: <Email Address Redacted>

Dave:

We can help you. The answer is CAMFoam. Give me a call.

CAMFoam
All sizes, shapes and density polyurethane foam blanks.
The most variety and cost effective solution available today.
Fits all carvers.
We will beat any price.
305-823-8300
305-823-8304 - Fax
www.biosculptor.com

Regarding the answer for your friend, have him/her call me. We have the
solution for all of their needs. Thanks.

Mark Mazloff
Maramed Orthopedic Systems
BioSculptor Corporation

||

From: <Email Address Redacted> (Chet X Burdette)
To: <Email Address Redacted>

I know at Fairview in Minneapolis they used to use blanks made from a
mixture of plaster and cornstarch.
Regards,
Chet

Again, thanks to all who responded.

David


David Hendricks, CPO, FAAOP
HOPE, Inc.
Zephyrhills, FL
www.acebrace.com
(800) 613-8852
fax: (888) 440-1217