Traditional vs CAD/CAM insoles: what changes for the clinic

For decades custom insoles have been made by taking a phenolic foam impression, casting it in plaster and machining or moulding the result. It works, but it carries limitations the digital CAD/CAM flow solves at the root.

Time per patient

The traditional method spends 30 to 60 minutes per patient across impression, casting and review. Digital CAD/CAM drops that to 10–15 minutes: scan, clinical parameters, STL export.

Precision and repeatability

3D scanning captures the real foot geometry without the deformation foam introduces. Every CAD/CAM-generated insole is repeatable: if you need a second copy, the file is stored and the result is identical.

Traceability

The STL file tied to the patient is stored with the case, alongside the parameters used, the date and the responsible user. The artisanal method depends on the physical cast and on the technician's memory.

• Time per patient cut 3–4×
• Exact repeatability across batches
• Traceability by patient and case
• No physical mould storage
• Fast iteration on the design