Plasmics is a Vienna-based company founded in 2018, specializing in the development of innovative 3D printing technologies. The company focuses on the industrial application of additive manufacturing, developing both hardware and software solutions that enable more precise and efficient production. In addition to high-performance 3D printing components, Plasmics also offers a solution for the digital production of custom orthopedic insoles through its Feetneeds brand. In an interview with 3Druck.com, the company’s founder, Konrad Schreiner, discusses the use of additive manufacturing for the production of customized insoles, the production process, sustainability, and future developments in additive manufacturing.
One of Plasmics’ key products is the INo Trident, an induction-heated hotend capable of reaching temperatures of up to 500°C and heating to 250°C in just four seconds. This technology ensures uniform material processing and significantly improves print quality, particularly for high-performance polymers. The system is complemented by the FourRunner extruder, which features four drive wheels for more precise filament feeding, minimizing the risk of printing errors.
With the DeltaS 3D printer, Plasmics integrates these technologies into a system designed specifically for industrial applications. The printer features a heated build chamber and an intelligent filament sensor system, ensuring stable processing even with complex materials. These features make it suitable for medical technology, spare parts production, and other industrial applications.
Under the Feetneeds brand, Plasmics provides a solution for manufacturing custom insoles. By utilizing 3D printing, orthopedic insoles can be produced on-site in a short amount of time. This not only reduces waiting times but also enables more efficient material usage.
As a member of AM Austria, Plasmics is also involved in national initiatives to promote additive manufacturing as a key technology in the healthcare sector and to strengthen Austria as a hub for digital production.
Interview with Konrad Schreiner
In an interview with 3Druck.com, Plasmics founder Konrad Schreiner discusses the digital manufacturing process of custom orthopedic insoles and the role of Feetneeds in optimizing 3D printing and quality control. He also highlights the sustainability benefits of additive manufacturing, future innovations in insole production, and Plasmics’ initiatives to further develop additive manufacturing technology.
What does the entire process involve, from capturing foot data to producing a finished 3D-printed insole, and what steps does Feetneeds handle?
Konrad Schreiner, Founder of Plasmics (middle)
The process consists of three steps:
– Foot scanning: This can be done using external hardware or simply with an iPhone. Numerous open-source solutions support this step.
– Modeling: Specialized CAD software is used for this stage. While several providers exist, LutraCAD, Sneakprint, and Leopoly are fully integrated into the Feetneeds solution.
– 3D printing & quality control: This is the area where Feetneeds focuses entirely. Our technology enables optimized data processing and high-speed 3D printing with AI-powered in-line quality control, ensuring maximum precision and repeatability.
Thanks to this clear specialization in manufacturing and quality assurance, Feetneeds functions as an open, manufacturer-independent solution that seamlessly integrates with various scanning and CAD providers. The fully digital workflow allows decentralized, rapid production directly at orthopedic clinics or labs, significantly reducing waiting times and production costs.
What are the advantages of 3D printing in terms of sustainability and material efficiency compared to traditional insole manufacturing?
3D printing reduces material consumption by up to 60% since material is only applied where needed—eliminating milling and waste.
Another advantage is material innovation: while traditional insoles are often composed of multiple glued layers, a 3D-printed insole is made from a single material with variable hardness. This not only improves fit and function but also makes recycling easier, as the insole is no longer composed of heterogeneous materials.
Additionally, storage and logistics are minimized since insoles can be printed on-site at the point of sale or in local orthopedic labs. This results in:
– Reduced transportation emissions
– Prevention of overproduction and waste
– Significantly shorter production times
The combination of digital manufacturing, optimized material use, and decentralized production makes 3D printing the most sustainable solution for orthopedics, as it conserves resources, reduces costs, and improves patient accessibility.
How do you see the future development of 3D printing in orthopedic and custom insole manufacturing, and what innovations do you expect in the coming years?
The design flexibility and low production costs will enable billions of euros in savings in orthopedic aids and prosthetics manufacturing across Europe while significantly improving quality of care, safety, and production speed.
Looking ahead, we expect:
– New material developments, particularly in biocompatible and sustainable plastics.
– Integration of sensors into insoles to provide real-time data on foot pressure, posture, and gait analysis.
– AI-driven customization to automatically optimize models and adapt them to specific patient needs.
– Digital, decentralized production networks that empower orthopedists and labs to manufacture on-site—without requiring significant investments in machinery or personnel.
What initiatives and projects is Plasmics pursuing as an innovative Austrian company and a member of AM Austria to advance additive manufacturing technology?
Plasmics is actively working on the industrialization of additive manufacturing for orthopedic applications, focusing on:
– Sensor integration for quality assurance & machine learning: New sensors enable automated material inspection and enhance process stability and print quality through data-driven machine learning.
– Induction nozzle for more precise print parameter adjustments: The induction-based extrusion technology allows for much better control of printing temperature and speed, enabling dynamic adjustments during the printing process.
– AI-powered quality control: Development of an intelligent computer vision system to ensure consistently high production accuracy and real-time error prevention.
– Scaling & internationalization: Establishing a supply-chain-as-a-service (Supply-Chain-aaS) model to globally connect orthopedic experts with decentralized on-site production.
As a member of AM Austria, Plasmics is committed to establishing additive manufacturing as a key technology in orthopedics and beyond, strengthening Austria as a leading region for digital manufacturing.
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