Customized Horseshoe via Thermal Imaging and 3D Printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing horseshoe manufacturing methods fail to account for the unique morphology and pathologies of a horse's foot, leading to discomfort and inefficiency, as factory-made shoes are difficult to shape and adapt to individual hoof imperfections, and traditional methods are invasive and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A method involving visualization and thermal imaging to determine the foot's measurements and pathologies, followed by three-dimensional printing to create a customized horseshoe shape and structure that accounts for inflammation and reduced blood circulation zones, ensuring optimal comfort and fit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If factory-made horseshoes are used, then time saving is achieved, but adaptability to individual hoof morphology and pathologies is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime savingVSAvoidadaptability to hoof morphology

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The horseshoe is customized with varying thickness and structural properties in different zones to match the specific morphology and pathological conditions of each hoof region. The system analyzes thermal images to identify areas requiring different levels of support or relief, creating a shoe with non-uniform local properties rather than a standard uniform design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the hoof using visual and thermal imaging before shoe production to identify morphological features and pathological zones. This advance information allows the horseshoe to be manufactured with pre-determined customizations that address specific hoof conditions before the shoe is applied.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If preformed irons are reworked to create orthopedic fittings, then adaptability is improved, but time consumption and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorthopedic fitting capabilityVSAvoidshaping time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical shaping process performed by farriers is replaced with automated 3D printing technology. The system translates digital hoof measurements and thermal analysis data directly into manufacturing instructions for additive manufacturing, eliminating the time-consuming manual shaping and fitting process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If traditional palpation methods are used to diagnose hoof problems, then diagnostic capability is limited, but the horse experiences repeated pain and discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic capabilityVSAvoidhorse pain and discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The manual palpation method is replaced with non-contact thermal imaging technology. The system uses infrared cameras to detect temperature variations across the hoof and surrounding areas, identifying inflammation and circulation issues without physical contact that causes pain to the animal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system visualizes thermal data as color-coded images where different temperatures are represented by different colors. This allows the farrier to quickly identify hot spots indicating inflammation or areas of reduced blood flow, making pathological conditions visually apparent without requiring repeated painful palpation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach allows for rapid, non-invasive, and economical production of horseshoes tailored to each horse's foot, reducing discomfort and improving shoeing efficiency by directly addressing morphological and pathological specifics.

Implementation Method 1

The possible existence of at least one zone of inflammation and/or of at least one zone of reduced blood circulation of the foot of the horse is determined by means of an infrared detector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

producing the horseshoe from said final parameters

Methodology Applied

Scientific Effect3D printing: 3D Printing

Data Source

PatentEP3247206B1Method of making a horseshoe

Publication Date: 2018.11.14 VALUE FEET

Figure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a horseshoe, wherein the following steps are carried out: a) at least partially viewing the hoof (16) to be shod in order to determine the required measurements for producing a shoe that fits said hoof, b) processing said measurements in order to deduce a provisional shape of the horseshoe, c) recording definitive parameters of said horseshoe, and d) producing said horseshoe on the basis of said definitive parameters. Before step b), the potential existence of at least one area of inflammation and/or at least one area of reduced blood circulation of the foot of the horse, of which the hoof is to receive said shoe, is determined by means of an infrared detector (17), and in step b), the existence of at least one such area is taken into account in order to determine said provisional shape and/or said structure of said horseshoe.