April 29, 2014
Although its current market is small, SOLS Systems is still one of the favourite companies on capital markets. SOLS Systems, an eight-month-old startup developing custom 3D printed orthotics, has raised $6.4 million in Series A funding led by Lux Capital with Founders Fund, RRE, and existing investors Rothenberg Ventures, Felicis Ventures, FundersGuild and Grape Arbor VC. In December 2013, the startup closed a $1.75 million seed financing round led by Lux Capital.
With SOLS' technology, customers will be able to use their mobile device's camera to scan their feet and place an order using a downloadable app: the process is 100% digital. The foot scan provides the data to visualize the product and prescription in real time. SOLS then converts the scans to 3D models, from which customized insoles are then created on 3D printers.
SOLS are made to order from ultra flexible, anti-microbial nylon, dyed the color of your choice. This material is an important part of what makes SOLS unique in the world of orthotics. Instead of using a combination of hard and soft materials, SOLS use the advantages offered by 3D printing technology to modify the composition of materials as they are printed. This results in interesting and functional combinations of softness and rigidity which provides appropriate support to meet the needs of the wearer. There's no extra production cost if an orthotic made with more or less complex material combinations.
Image credit: SOLS
Right now SOLS is experimenting with different ways to finish the 3D printed products, including polishing and dying. They have teamed up 50 podiatrists to to begin testing the service. Its 3D printed insole is said to save up to 75 percent of the energy in each footstep.
SOLS will begin selling orthotics this year through medical professionals who can fit patients in-person, and also plans to make its inserts available to consumers sometime in the next year. The price for custom 3D printed insoles would be around $100.
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
Maybe you also like:
- Mixee Labs launches new 3D printed molecular jewelry line
- How to use 3D printing in lost-wax casting of custom lugs for a bicycle frame
- Deka lets you create your own, custom 3D printed Bluetooth headsets
- How to make a 3D printed digital camera at home
- Skanska uses 3D printed cladding on its £50m London building
- Intel launches open source eBook for 3D printable 21st Century Robots
- Bow & Drape partners with Shapeways to launch custom 3D printed metal accessories
- Designer created sugar-based bowls and plates on a specially-designed 3D printer
- Yahoo Japan unveils "Hands on Search" with 3D printing technology
- 3D print your gold iPhone
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
