Meet the “3D-Up!” App: Delivering Maximum Performance In Orthopedic Technology

Orthopedic technicians create personalized orthopedic aids, combining traditional skills with digital technologies. Yet, while digital tools are increasingly part of their workflow, additive manufacturing often remains underutilized. Many technicians lack the time or expertise to design directly with CAD files and 3D printing processes, so design is outsourced, workflows slow down and patients wait longer for the care they need. In 2022, Stephan Morth, Stefan Biller and Marco Hoffmann decided to change that. They founded the start-up 3D-Up!, offering an app that makes 3D printing workflows accessible and user-friendly. In just five steps: scanning, modeling, design, printing and fitting, technicians can create precise models ready for 3D printing. In this interview, Marco Hoffmann explains how 3D-Up! is helping orthopedic technicians adopt 3D printing more efficiently, streamline processes, and ultimately improve patient care.

3DN: Could you please briefly introduce yourself and tell us how you got into the 3D printing industry?

My name is Marco Hoffmann, and I am one of the founders of “3D-Up!” and CEO of Movimento Orthopädie & Rehatechnik GmbH in Kassel. Since the launch of our orthopedic technology company Movimento in 2004, we have not only been extremely open to digital innovations but have also always tried to integrate them into our processes in a targeted manner. As a result, entire process chains have been and continue to be redefined, relieving our employees so that their working time with people becomes more productive. One part of these digital innovations was 3D scanning technology, which we have been using intensively since around 2011. When handling the technology, it quickly became clear to us that this would only be the first step in a complex 3D process, so we consistently continued in this direction.

The founding team of “3D-Up!” (from left: Stefan Biller, Stephan Morth, and Marco Hoffmann) aims to make process chains more efficient and promote additive manufacturing in orthopedic technology.

3DN: Who is behind “3D-Up!” and how did you get involved?

The start-up “3D-Up!” was founded by the two managing directors of Movimento GmbH, Stephan Morth and myself, Marco Hoffmann, as well as software developer Stefan Biller. We all have many years of in-depth expertise in traditional orthopedic technology and, at the same time, want to strongly promote modern, digital manufacturing. Whether comprehensive automation processes, the integration of custom-fit parts, or collaboration with other partners—these are all examples of areas we have been pushing even harder for about three years. This was accompanied by the realization that we lacked a tool to support us in the design and modeling process steps.

3DN: How did the idea for “3D-Up!” come about and what are your goals?

The goal is clear: software that is intuitive to use, saves a lot of time in design, perfectly implements patient parameters, and allows experienced orthopedic technicians to make detailed adjustments according to their own ideas and needs. The software should also make it possible to accompany the entire additive manufacturing process, from data acquisition to the print file. That’s exactly what we were looking for and couldn’t find anywhere. Sometimes you had to have proven CAD expertise, sometimes you had to use several programs. Ultimately, that meant hiring additional specialist staff.

That’s why we started from scratch to work on our own solution. We defined what “our” software should be able to do, who should be able to use it, and how to make it accessible so that it can be used from anywhere. When you consider all this, the path from your own company to others is not far.

3DN: Who is “3D-Up!” aimed at and how is the app used?

With “3D-Up!”, we have created a tool that can be used by the entire industry. From small orthopedic technology companies that want to take advantage of additive manufacturing but don’t have powerful computing units or 3D printers, to market leaders who want a customized tool that builds on our experience in orthopedic technology, down to the smallest detail. The app is very intuitive to use: simply log in online, upload your data, and get started. For the design, you can either use the app’s suggestions or actively work on it yourself.

3DN: Do you have any final words for our readers?

A particular highlight of our app is definitely the implementation of custom-fit parts. Additive manufacturing offers numerous advantages for the process chain in question. We are available to provide advice to ensure that this actually works in reality. We can help optimize the process chain so that the time savings achieved through additive manufacturing can be invested in patient care. This is precisely where more time really adds value. You can find more information about the company and the “3D-Up!” app HERE.

The “3D-Up!” app allows you to work intuitively on the created 3D model. This enables quick adaptation to the needs of the respective patient.

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*Photo Credits: Paavo Blafield / 3D-Up!