Orthotics and Prosthetics

Yes. For this reason, the plastic sheet materials such as polypro and copoly that Curbell supplies to the orthotic and prosthetic market are manufactured using even heating and cooling and limited mechanical stretching. This minimizes the residual stress levels in the finished sheet. Low stress greatly contributes to the dimensional stability of our O&P sheet materials and it gives them improved thermoforming and fabrication characteristics.

Check that your oven is heating evenly; hot or cold spots will result in uneven heating and likely result in poor detail. Some materials (e.g., TPE, PETG) will absorb moisture, which can cause blistering and bubbling; it’s best to keep these materials in a dry place to reduce exposure to moisture. They may function best if pre-dried prior to forming.

To avoid uneven thicknesses, try heating your mold before pulling the plastic, in order to eliminate shocking the hot plastic when it’s pulled over the cold mold. If you have problems with your plastic tearing and falling out of your metal frames, try decreasing the oven temperature or take plastic out of the oven sooner. Finally, make sure your vacuum lines are the appropriate size and functioning properly (not clogged or leaking).

• Easy to form
• Cost-effective
• Easy to clean
• Customizable with transfer patterns
• Attractive look appeals to patients