FAQ

In digital orthotic production, orthotic insoles are modeled in CAD software based on digital foot data and then manufactured using production equipment such as a milling machine or a 3D printer.

Digital orthotic models can be directly combined with the foot’s measurement data. As a result, digital orthotic production enables the precise, reproducible, and efficient manufacture of orthotic insoles.

For digital orthotic production, you need a system for capturing foot data, CAD software for modeling the orthotics, and suitable production technology. feetinform combines these areas into a seamlessly integrated system—from foot measurement and digital modeling to production via 3D printing or milling.

No, prior knowledge of CAD or 3D printing is not required. The processes in the feetinform system are designed so that orthopedic insoles can be modeled and produced with just a few clicks. You’ll also receive free software training to get you off to a smooth start with our system.

With fully integrated foot scanners, measurements are transferred directly to the software via the connected foot scanner. You can start modeling right away.

Kobra, Kobra II, Spike, iQube, iQube mini

Yes, in many cases, existing foot scanners can be used with feetinform. In this case, the measurement data is imported via an STL file.
Upon request, we’ll be happy to check whether full integration of your scanner into our system is possible.

Kobra and Kobra II are optical 3D foot scanners that capture the foot using an infrared camera. The Kobra II is an advanced version of the Kobra and additionally features an enclosed housing with integrated LED lighting for uniform 2D and 3D scans of the foot.

The Spike is not an optical 3D foot scanner, but a mechanical foot scanner. More than 1,000 pins rise up and measure the foot. What makes it unique is that hard and soft tissues are captured differently during the scanning process.

In feetinform, CAD modeling of orthopedic insoles is based on digital libraries. There are two options:
With a 1-click library, a pre-designed insole model is directly combined with the foot measurement.
Alternatively, the orthotic can be built step by step using the shell shape, outline, and individual corrections.

3D scan data forms the basis for custom orthotic modeling. This ensures that the orthotic is precisely adapted to the specific foot shape and achieves optimal pressure redistribution across the entire foot surface.

In the feetinform Modeller, PNG and JPEG files—such as photos, blueprints, or pressure measurements—can be used as the basis for modeling. Since this data does not include a three-dimensional foot shape, the insole is constructed based on predefined templates and then individually customized.

The first insoles can be modeled during the very first joint software training session. Many ready-to-use libraries are available for this purpose, allowing insoles to be created with just a few clicks.
The goal is to create your own library within the following 2–4 weeks, covering 80% of the desired treatments.

Digital insole libraries store information on shell profiles, outlines, insole shapes, and corrections. Once created, these specifications can be applied to an existing 3D foot scan with just a few clicks. This allows recurring fittings to be modeled more quickly, consistently, and reproducibly.

Yes, that’s exactly what feetinform is designed for. The software can be adapted to your individual treatment philosophy. Existing insole types and treatment concepts can be digitally recreated in the feetinform Modeller, customized, and saved in your own library. This allows recurring treatments to be transferred to new patients with just a few clicks.

We offer a service where we handle the entire creation of your insole library. This minimizes the internal effort required on your part. Our experts digitize your existing insole types, corrections, and treatment concepts and advise you on how to best integrate your current workflow into the feetinform software.

Yes, with feetinform, sensorimotor insoles can be modeled in just a few clicks and then either milled or 3D-printed. An extensive library is available for this purpose, which can be adapted to your existing workflow and individual treatment philosophy as needed.

With feetinform, you can model all common types of orthopedic insoles, including cushioning, supportive, corrective, shell-type, sensorimotor, and podiatric insoles. Specialized solutions, such as insoles for pes planus or flip-flops, can also be customized.

Typically, you’ll finish modeling the insole within a few minutes.

The modeled insoles can be exported directly for your own production—either as a file for a milling machine or for a 3D printer. Alternatively, the production data can be sent to our production center. There, we’ll manufacture the insoles for you using a milling machine or 3D printing.

In the 3D printing of orthopedic insoles, the digital insole model is transferred directly to the 3D printer. The printer builds the insole layer by layer using flexible TPU. The shape, various degrees of firmness, and individual corrections are defined during the modeling phase and then automatically incorporated into production.

3D-printed insoles offer a precise, reproducible, and highly customized solution. The insole’s arch support can be printed directly, completely eliminating the need to sand the underside. After printing, the insoles are ready for use without any further post-processing. The layer-by-layer construction also results in significantly less material waste than milling, and the storage space required for materials is considerably smaller.

feetinform uses the Creality K2 Plus to manufacture orthopedic insoles. It is a established serial-production model manufactured in large quantities. As a result, the acquisition costs are comparatively low, and replacement parts are readily available on the market. Depending on shoe size, one to two pairs of insoles can be printed in a single print run. Up to five different degrees of firmness can be incorporated within a single insole. In combination with the feetinform software, the printer is ideally suited for the reliable production of orthopedic insoles.

Print time depends on size, volume, and the selected quality profile. A thin, slightly shell-like pair of insoles in size 40 can be produced in about 45 minutes using a fast print profile. For thicker insoles with high volume and the finest quality profile, printing a pair can take up to three hours.

In the feetinform Modeller, five different firmness levels can be flexibly assigned. These can be defined for up to three horizontal areas of the orthotic (base, cushioning, and remainder), the heel cup, corrections, and freely definable zones.

Yes, 3D-printed insoles can be easily modified. They can be covered with fabric, bonded with Rigidus springs, and supplemented with additional padding. Even particularly soft areas—for example, to relieve pressure from a heel spur—can be incorporated later.

Maintaining the feetinform 3D printer is very simple. A few moving parts should be oiled every few months. Depending on how frequently it’s used, the nozzle may also need to be replaced occasionally. To do this, unscrew the old nozzle and replace it with a new one. The necessary replacement parts are readily available on the market.

Yes, heel spur insoles can be easily modeled and 3D-printed with feetinform. The affected area can be printed either as a particularly soft section or as a recess. The recess can then be filled with a soft cushioning material.

Yes, 3D printers from other manufacturers can also be used with feetinform. However, you’ll need to generate the G-code yourself. Assigning different degrees of hardness must also be done in an additional step outside of feetinform.

When milling custom orthotics, the digital orthotic model is transferred to a CNC milling machine. The machine gradually removes material from a milling block until the desired shape of the orthotic is achieved. The orthotic is then removed from the block and, depending on the specific application, undergoes finishing, sanding, or covering.

Milled insoles offer a precise, reproducible, and proven solution. They are particularly suitable for very soft diabetic insoles as well as for thick and high-volume insoles, since these can usually be milled significantly faster than they can be 3D-printed. The wide selection of milling blocks allows for the combination of different materials and hardness levels. Milled insoles can also be flexibly sanded, adjusted, and then covered.

The Hamster milling machine is available in two versions: a 2-pair miller and a 4-pair miller. Depending on the model, two or four pairs of insoles can thus be produced in a single operation.

The milling time is typically about 15 minutes per pair of insoles. It depends on the size, the type of insole, and the selected milling strategy. The Hamster milling machine is designed for continuous operation and can produce up to four pairs of insoles in a single operation. Meanwhile, you can focus on other tasks.

The milling cutter should be replaced after approximately 2,000 pairs of insoles have been produced.

Most of the maintenance for the insole milling machine can be performed by you. During commissioning, we’ll show your staff how to clean and lubricate the milling machine. Thanks to its modular design, the milling unit, spindle, control system, and vacuum pump are easily accessible. The spindle should be serviced after approximately 8,000 pairs of insoles have been produced. We’ll provide a replacement spindle for this period.

Milling blocks can be individually configured using different materials, hardness levels, and colors. Up to three horizontal and three vertical layers can be combined. Depending on the application, Shore hardness levels ranging from approximately 20 to 60 can be used.

Yes, Isel milling machines can generally be used with feetinform. We have already successfully implemented this integration for numerous customers.

The upfront costs for a 3D scanner and 3D printer in the most basic package are under €5,000. The software costs depend on the planned number of pairs of insoles to be produced.

Yes, feetinform offers an intensive program for this purpose. The focus is on the complete creation of your custom orthotic library. You provide us with the relevant information about your previous fittings, and we transfer this data into the feetinform software. This allows you to get started with the new system very quickly with minimal internal effort.

feetinform offers interfaces to various billing and management systems. Currently supported systems include Rothballer, Paedus, mmOrthosoft, and Spannritt, among others. If your system is not listed, please feel free to contact us. In many cases, an integration can be implemented without any issues.

Close customer contact and high satisfaction are particularly important to us. That’s why we place great emphasis on fast response times and comprehensive support during the onboarding process. Our goal is for you to be able to produce high-quality insoles independently as quickly as possible. To that end, we’re here to assist you with personalized and reliable support even after your purchase.