TCT Group - 3D Printing & Additive Manufacturing Intelligence
A day in the life of... a Product Development Manager
TCT Group - 3D Printing & Additive Manufacturing Intelligence, Orlando, Florida, us, 32885
Overview
TCT's 'A Day in the Life of...' series has been primarily launched for college and university alumni to better understand what career opportunities in additive manufacturing (AM) are available to them. Throughout the series, TCT will spend time with a host of AM professionals to communicate what their day-to-day tasks are, what kinds of teams they work within, what they have learnt on the job, and how they got to where they are today. In this instalment, Elen Parry, of medical device company Crispin Orthotics, explains the role of a Product Development Manager.
There’s a lot going on. A lot of people. A lot of projects.
Q. What is the best thing about your job? EP: It’s different every day. There are never any repetitive tasks. And everything is challenging in a different way.
THE ROLE BEYOND THE TITLE Parry joined Crispin Orthotics in May 2023, taking up a position as Design Engineer for a company working to produce ‘world-class’ 3D printed orthoses and prostheses, often with a custom design. She was promoted to Product Development Manager in 2024.
The company’s digital process sees 3D scanning deployed to create 3D models without the use of plaster bandages, before 3D printing is harnessed to realise products with intricate designs, as well as varying thicknesses and rigidities. These products can be finished in a range of different colours, patterns, and debossed or hydrographic images, bringing personality to the prosthetics.
Parry is responsible for design engineering and 3D printing technical work, spending a lot of her time in CAD to model the medical products, as well as looking at different post-processing, finishing and colouring techniques. She is also required to conduct mechanical testing of products, write test protocols and be across medical device quality standards. An eye must also be kept on the latest research findings in the industry, helping the company to ensure it is always getting the most out of the technologies they deploy.
HP’s Multi Jet Fusion technology is the company’s primary 3D printing option with three in-house Multi Jet Fusion printers.
We have a lot of private contracts but we also have a lot of NHS contracts, and they’re taken on by different companies in the group. It’s a mix of how the work comes to us. We just get involved where we need to get involved.
These days, Crispin Orthotics is part of the Ability Matters Healthcare Group, an international healthcare products and services provider, operating mainly to enhance mobility and accessibility. It is a big group, employing just under 1,000 people and housing brands such as Opcare, focusing on providing prosthetic and orthotic services; Ortho Europe, a manufacturer and distributor of orthotic, prosthetic and seating products; Proactive, a prosthetic and orthotic clinic; and Kenwood, a manufacturer of bespoke footwear.
As Crispin has integrated into this network, Parry has become part of a collaborative environment that might see her and her product development colleagues get involved in projects beyond the core focus of Crispin. She therefore works closely with the Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs teams, as well as the CAD team, factory technicians, office staff, and even the senior leadership team. And when the need arises, she will work with the IT department on software and marketing department on photoshoots, social media posts, packaging and trade events.
Keeping organised is really important, but being dynamic and flexible is too. You can’t necessarily plan everything because you don’t know what’s coming through the door next. When there’s lots going on, you just have to keep pace.
Q. What kind of people are perfect for a job like yours? EP: Somebody who is inquisitive, is creative, likes to innovate, and is motivated by positive change. Someone that’s willing to fully immerse themselves and get stuck into it.
A TYPICAL DAY
The day starts with a routine check of emails and calendars, often followed by meetings with clinicians to discuss what product can be designed and manufactured.
Software review meetings where Parry helps evaluate pricing, capabilities and integration with existing tools.
CAD work, loading up test prints, and developing new concepts, with results shared with the manufacturing team the next day.
A walk around the on-site factory to check post-processing activities and to gather feedback from machine operators.
General responsibilities include the design and development of new products, aligning with clinicians to enhance product quality, renewing and updating product ranges for efficiency, sustainability, and customization.
Involvement in medical device audits, design development procedures, and IT system conformance to Cyber Essentials for NHS contracts, with occasional support for marketing activities.
THE PATHWAY Parry has an undergraduate Product Design degree from Manchester School of Art. She pursued a Master’s degree in Industrial Digitalisation and later a PhD focusing on extrusion-based polymer 3D printing for medical devices, supported by scholarships. She defended her research in March 2023 and joined Crispin Orthotics in May 2023.
“From everything that I studied – the creative element, the technology element, the medical devices – everything in my career pathway up to now is used in my current role, which is quite rare. I didn’t expect to be in a career where I can utilise all of those skills from all the different parts of my education.”
#J-18808-Ljbffr
There’s a lot going on. A lot of people. A lot of projects.
Q. What is the best thing about your job? EP: It’s different every day. There are never any repetitive tasks. And everything is challenging in a different way.
THE ROLE BEYOND THE TITLE Parry joined Crispin Orthotics in May 2023, taking up a position as Design Engineer for a company working to produce ‘world-class’ 3D printed orthoses and prostheses, often with a custom design. She was promoted to Product Development Manager in 2024.
The company’s digital process sees 3D scanning deployed to create 3D models without the use of plaster bandages, before 3D printing is harnessed to realise products with intricate designs, as well as varying thicknesses and rigidities. These products can be finished in a range of different colours, patterns, and debossed or hydrographic images, bringing personality to the prosthetics.
Parry is responsible for design engineering and 3D printing technical work, spending a lot of her time in CAD to model the medical products, as well as looking at different post-processing, finishing and colouring techniques. She is also required to conduct mechanical testing of products, write test protocols and be across medical device quality standards. An eye must also be kept on the latest research findings in the industry, helping the company to ensure it is always getting the most out of the technologies they deploy.
HP’s Multi Jet Fusion technology is the company’s primary 3D printing option with three in-house Multi Jet Fusion printers.
We have a lot of private contracts but we also have a lot of NHS contracts, and they’re taken on by different companies in the group. It’s a mix of how the work comes to us. We just get involved where we need to get involved.
These days, Crispin Orthotics is part of the Ability Matters Healthcare Group, an international healthcare products and services provider, operating mainly to enhance mobility and accessibility. It is a big group, employing just under 1,000 people and housing brands such as Opcare, focusing on providing prosthetic and orthotic services; Ortho Europe, a manufacturer and distributor of orthotic, prosthetic and seating products; Proactive, a prosthetic and orthotic clinic; and Kenwood, a manufacturer of bespoke footwear.
As Crispin has integrated into this network, Parry has become part of a collaborative environment that might see her and her product development colleagues get involved in projects beyond the core focus of Crispin. She therefore works closely with the Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs teams, as well as the CAD team, factory technicians, office staff, and even the senior leadership team. And when the need arises, she will work with the IT department on software and marketing department on photoshoots, social media posts, packaging and trade events.
Keeping organised is really important, but being dynamic and flexible is too. You can’t necessarily plan everything because you don’t know what’s coming through the door next. When there’s lots going on, you just have to keep pace.
Q. What kind of people are perfect for a job like yours? EP: Somebody who is inquisitive, is creative, likes to innovate, and is motivated by positive change. Someone that’s willing to fully immerse themselves and get stuck into it.
A TYPICAL DAY
The day starts with a routine check of emails and calendars, often followed by meetings with clinicians to discuss what product can be designed and manufactured.
Software review meetings where Parry helps evaluate pricing, capabilities and integration with existing tools.
CAD work, loading up test prints, and developing new concepts, with results shared with the manufacturing team the next day.
A walk around the on-site factory to check post-processing activities and to gather feedback from machine operators.
General responsibilities include the design and development of new products, aligning with clinicians to enhance product quality, renewing and updating product ranges for efficiency, sustainability, and customization.
Involvement in medical device audits, design development procedures, and IT system conformance to Cyber Essentials for NHS contracts, with occasional support for marketing activities.
THE PATHWAY Parry has an undergraduate Product Design degree from Manchester School of Art. She pursued a Master’s degree in Industrial Digitalisation and later a PhD focusing on extrusion-based polymer 3D printing for medical devices, supported by scholarships. She defended her research in March 2023 and joined Crispin Orthotics in May 2023.
“From everything that I studied – the creative element, the technology element, the medical devices – everything in my career pathway up to now is used in my current role, which is quite rare. I didn’t expect to be in a career where I can utilise all of those skills from all the different parts of my education.”
#J-18808-Ljbffr