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Many orthopedic technicians today struggle with the digital leap into 3D printing. While the technology offers enormous potential for precision and efficiency, many professionals lack the time or expertise to work directly with CAD files and complex design software. The result? Design work is outsourced, workflows slow down, and patients wait longer for the devices they need.
In 2022, three innovators decided to change this. Stephan Morth, Stefan Biller, and Marco Hoffmann founded 3D-Up!, a start-up with a clear mission: to make 3D printing workflows accessible, user-friendly, and tailored for orthopedic technology. Their solution is an app that guides technicians through five simple steps—scanning, modeling, design, printing, and fitting—to create precise, ready-to-print models.
In a recent conversation, co-founder Marco Hoffmann shared how 3D-Up! is helping to reshape orthopedic manufacturing.
From Movimento to 3D-Up!
“My name is Marco Hoffmann, and I am one of the founders of 3D-Up! as well as CEO of Movimento Orthopädie & Rehatechnik GmbH in Kassel,” he explained. Since founding Movimento in 2004, Hoffmann and his team have been early adopters of digital innovations, consistently seeking ways to streamline processes and give staff more time for patient care.
One of these innovations was 3D scanning, which Movimento integrated as early as 2011. “It quickly became clear that scanning was just the first step in a much larger process,” Hoffmann said. “What we needed was a seamless workflow, and that’s what eventually led to 3D-Up!”
Building a Tool the Industry Needed
3D-Up! was born out of necessity. Together with Stephan Morth and software developer Stefan Biller, Hoffmann set out to create a tool that didn’t exist: software that is intuitive, time-saving, and powerful enough to translate patient parameters into accurate print files—without requiring advanced CAD expertise or multiple programs.
“The goal was simple,” Hoffmann explained. “We wanted software that lets technicians focus on patients, not on complicated design tasks. It had to work from anywhere, be easy to use, and cover the entire additive manufacturing process.”
Who Can Use 3D-Up!?
The app is designed to support the entire orthopedic industry. Small practices without in-house 3D printing capacity can benefit just as much as large companies seeking to refine their digital workflows. Users simply log in online, upload their scan data, and begin working on designs. They can rely on the app’s built-in suggestions or make their own adjustments.
One of the standout features is the ability to implement custom-fit parts, ensuring a higher level of comfort and functionality for patients. Beyond the technology itself, the team at 3D-Up! also provides consulting to help clinics and labs optimize their workflows, ensuring that the time saved in production translates into more time spent with patients.
Transforming Patient Care
With 3D-Up!, orthopedic technicians no longer need to outsource design work or rely on specialist CAD experts. The app brings all the essential steps together in a single, accessible workflow. The result is faster production, more efficient processes, and ultimately, improved patient care.
“Additive manufacturing gives us the opportunity to rethink how we work,” Hoffmann said. “If technicians can spend less time on design and more time with patients, that’s where the real value is created.”
To learn more about 3D-Up! and its app, visit the company’s website.
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