Method and apparatus for transferring a digital profile of a residual limb to a prosthetic socket strut

A method of reforming a thermoplastic article to assume a desired shape, the method comprising:

• providing positionable pins having end facets, the end facets defining a molding surface;
• heating a thermoplastic article to render it malleable;
• acquiring digital data representing a portion of a body part;
• using the digital data to relatively position the pins so that the molding surface defined by the end facets conforms to the desired shape that replicates the body part, wherein the pins are relatively positioned by using a CNC machine to adjust positions of the pins based on the digital data;
• after relatively positioning the pins, pressing via a pressurized medium the malleable thermoplastic article against the pins
• to reform at least a portion of the thermoplastic article into the desired shape;
• and
• separating the reformed thermoplastic article from the molding surface, wherein the reformed thermoplastic article retains the desired shape after separating from the molding surface.

A method of reforming a thermoplastic article to assume a desired shape, the method comprising:

• providing a molding surface that is reconfigurable with a motor;
• heating a thermoplastic article to render it malleable;
• acquiring digital data representing a portion of a part;
• using the digital data to operate the motor to configure the molding surface into the desired shape;
• after configuring the molding surface, pressing via a pressurized medium the malleable thermoplastic article against the molding surface
• to reform at least a portion of the thermoplastic article into the desired shape;
• and
• separating the reformed thermoplastic article from the molding surface, wherein the reformed thermoplastic article retains the desired shape after separation from the molding surface.