W.S.G. Isaac Newton

PLT products is a company that places its focus on automation in the insoles industry. Presently, the production of bespoke insoles for patients with divergent feet is labor intensive for involved professionals. As such, PLT products aims to enhance the quality of the insoles and take charge of the production of the insoles from the professionals [1]. This will enable the professional to concentrate more on patient care and the insoles’ overall quality will increase as the process becomes industrialized and standardized. Orthotic insoles are a valuable treatment tool for a variety of foot conditions and their properties are critical in determining their effectiveness. The manufacturing of insoles has various opportunities for process improvement, cost reduction, and quality enhancement. The cover material processing can be automated using laser cutting technology, while the adhesive application can work with laminated material and a press to apply the material onto the insole. Finally, could the cutting and grinding be automated with double sided milling, laser or waterjet cutting in combination with computer vision or robotic/5 axis machining depending on the level of investment and automation. Careful analysis and consideration of the specific requirements, costs, and feasibility are necessary when evaluating the implementation of each solution.