Vorum: Pioneering Digital Innovation in O&P

For over three decades, Vorum Research Corporation played a pivotal role in transforming how orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) devices are designed and manufactured. Long before digital tools became standard in the industry, Vorum was leading the charge—replacing traditional plaster methods with cutting-edge digital solutions that are now used in clinics around the world.

Founded in 1989 by Carl Saunders, Vorum built on over a decade of early research into computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) for the O&P field. At a time when the idea of using computers for custom fitting was still seen as futuristic, Vorum was already developing the technology to make it a reality. Their vision was clear: to create a complete digital workflow that could improve precision, efficiency, and patient outcomes.

The launch of Canfit Software marked the beginning of that journey. Canfit quickly became the go-to design platform for prosthetists and orthotists, allowing them to modify shapes digitally and create more accurate, consistent fittings. Today, more than twenty versions later, Canfit is still widely used across the globe.

Vorum’s innovation didn’t stop at software. In 1995, the company introduced the first large-capacity 3-axis carver designed specifically for the O&P industry. This groundbreaking machine could carve a full spinal mold with a smooth surface finish in under 20 minutes—saving time and reducing material waste. It set a new benchmark for what was possible in automated fabrication.

Vorum also pioneered shape capture technology with the release of its first optical scanner in 1999, followed by the STARscanner™ in 2001, the industry’s first high-speed scanner for cranial remolding applications. This innovation was licensed to Orthomerica, helping them become a global leader in the cranial orthoses space.

In 2013, Vorum continued pushing the envelope with the launch of Spectra™, the first blue-light scanner purpose-built for O&P clinics. Designed to deliver unmatched speed and accuracy, the Spectra scanner is still trusted by hundreds of clinics today. That same year, Vorum also introduced its robotic carving cell, built for high-volume production—bringing industrial-grade automation to O&P fabrication labs.

By 2015, Vorum customers were among the first in the world to successfully use 3D printing in daily clinical practice. These early adopters leveraged digital scans and design files to directly fabricate high-quality orthotic and prosthetic devices using additive manufacturing.

Over the years, Vorum’s digital tools have empowered thousands of clinicians in more than 800 clinics across 45+ countries. By offering a fully integrated workflow—from scanning and design to carving and 3D printing—Vorum helped drive a global shift away from messy, imprecise plaster casting toward a faster, cleaner, and more consistent approach.

Today, Vorum’s legacy continues as part of Qwadra, the unified company formed through its merger with Rodin 4D and TechMed 3D. The mission remains the same: to make advanced, accessible, and reliable digital tools that elevate patient care and support the future of the O&P profession.