Prosthetic shape replication using a computer controlled carving technique.

Abstract

This paper describes a carving machine which is the most recently developed module in the suite of CAD/CAM equipment for high technology manufacture and supply of prostheses. It provides the link between the Computer Aided Socket Design (CASD) system and the Rapidform socket manufacturing process. Using the coordinate data produced by the CASD system this machine, under computer guidance, carves from a large block of suitable material a three dimensional object; the equivalent of the rectified plaster model produced by conventional techniques. This provides the form for the fabrication of a socket and the facility completes an integrated system for fabricating, rapidly and cheaply, high quality lightweight prostheses for patients.