FDM Digital Solutions, a Burnley, Lancashire, UK-based company which is developing a 3D printing system to produce made-to-measure insoles for the NHS, raised £860k in funding.
Backers included The North West Fund for Venture Capital (£688k) and Lancashire’s Rosebud Fund (£172k).
The company intends to use the funds to invest in the latest 3D technology to allow it to fulfill future orders.
Established in 2011 by James Saunders and Graeme Bond, FDM Digital Solutions is developing a system being that allows hospitals to scan a patient’s foot shape and email it to the company, which will then print and deliver insoles to the exact specification within as little as 48 hours.
The process will replace the traditional hand-made techniques and could revolutionize the way the NHS buys orthotics and other products.
In addition to its work in themedical sector, the company manufactures components for the aerospace, engineering,automotive and motor sports industries.
FDM, together with and its partners East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Salford, have already won grants totaling almost £1m from the Technology Strategy Board and EPSRC to help them develop the supply chain.
FinSMEs
09/01/2014