Our history of firsts
From the first demonstration of a working O&P CAD system to 3D printing.
Over 30 years ago, Vorum became the first company dedicated to the development of computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) solutions for the design and fabrication of custom orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) devices.
Since that time, we have been first to develop every major technical advancement in the field. Today, thousands of prosthetists and orthotists at over 800 facilities in 45 countries have supplanted messy plaster-casting methods with a digital approach that uses our non-contact optical shape scanners, 3D design software, automated mold carvers, and 3D printing solutions.
1978
Pioneering research begins
Carl Saunders starts researching CAD/CAM for Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P) with Jim Foort, the first researcher in the world to apply computer technology to improve the fitting of prosthetics, at the Medical Engineering Resource Unit (MERU) of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.
1983
The first CAD/CAM system demonstration
The world’s first public demonstration of a CAD/CAM system for O&P professionals is given by Carl Saunders as part of an international team of researchers at the World Congress of the Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) in London, England.
1989
Vorum is founded
Vorum Research Corporation is founded by Carl Saunders in Vancouver, Canada
1995
The first large capacity O&P carver
The Vorum-designed 3-Axis Carver becomes the world’s first purpose-built O&P carver with the capacity to carve a large spinal mold with a smooth surface finish in under 20 minutes.
1995
Rapid global expansion begins
Pioneering international O&P companies in Europe, Asia, and North America launch sales, training, and support for Vorum products.
1999
The first O&P optical scanner
Vorum’s scanGoghTM is launched as the world’s first handheld, portable 3D optical scanning system for O&P.
2001
The first high-speed cranial scanner
Vorum develops the STARscanner™, the first high-speed optical scanner for cranials, and licenses it to Orthomerica who becomes the world’s leading provider of cranial remolding orthoses.
2006
Six patents and a new standard for O&P CAD
A new version of Vorum’s CanfitTM O&P CAD software system is released, setting new industry standards for 3D graphics, usability, and sophisticated shape modification tools. Canfit’s innovations are now recognized by six patents.
2012
The first blue-light optical scanner sets a new standard for price/performance
Vorum’s Spectra™ 3D Scanner becomes the first scanner designed and built by an O&P company and delivers new levels of speed, accuracy, and ease-of-use. Its unique, easy-to-see blue light technology provides reliable scans for the widest range of skin tones and lighting conditions.
2013
The first robotic carving cell for high volume O&P production
Vorum’s Robot O&P Carver is introduced as the first fully enclosed, turnkey robotic cell for O&P with the capacity and speed for the largest scale production settings.
2014
The world’s largest networked CAD/CAM installation
Shriners Hospitals for Children selects Vorum and begins the installation of an integrated solution that includes five central fabrication centers serving over twenty-two hospital-based O&P departments.
2015
Global expansion continues
Vorum moves into a state-of-the-art 10,000 sq. ft. headquarters and R&D facility in Vancouver to responds to growing global demand for its products.
2015
The first 3D-printed high-definition O&P devices in production volumes
Vorum releases Canfit-15 O&P design software, introducing 3D printer support and many other productivity-boosting design tool enhancements. Vorum customers are the first practitioners in the world to successfully use 3D printing in daily clinical practice to produce superior quality custom-fitting devices.
2017
750+ installations in over 35 countries.
Vorum continues to enable O&P providers around the world to practice their craft at a higher level. They realize average efficiency gains of 400-600% and obtain better treatment outcomes.
2018
New products and features are incorporated to increase workflow productivity.
Spectra 4 is released realizing new features by popular demand from the O&P community. Canfit 16.0 is released to the worldwide market with features to address the growing demands of additive manufacturing in our industry.
2019
Vorum celebrates 30 years of business.
Vorum is the largest company in the world dedicated to the delivery of O&P CAD/CAM solutions
Our Leadership Team
Rudolph Korompis, CPA, CA
Ed Grochowski
Chris Handford
