Exciting Progress: Our Transition to Durable Injection Molded Parts for Pediatric Belt Canes

We are thrilled to announce a major milestone in the production of our Pediatric Belt Canes. After many months of dedication and collaboration, we have received shipment of enough plastic parts from China to make 1000 Pediatric Belt Canes, marking our successful transition from 3D printing to injection molded parts. This change means we now have an abundance of strong, uniform components ready for use in fabricating these essential devices.

Smooth, light and durable Belt Cane parts

Moving Beyond 3D Printing

For a long time, we relied on 3D printing to create the plastic parts for our Pediatric Belt Canes. While 3D printing allowed us to prototype and customize parts quickly, it had limitations. The parts were sometimes inconsistent in strength and durability. They could even melt inside hot cars, which posed a risk for families using the belt canes daily.

Switching to injection molded parts has solved these problems. Injection molding produces parts that are uniform in shape and size, much stronger, and resistant to heat. This means the Pediatric Belt Canes will last longer and perform better in real-world conditions.

Shipment of injection molded plastic parts arriving by truck

The Role of Our Partners

This transition would not have been possible without the support of the FS Foundation and the expert guidance of Soterix Medical Device Engineers, Dr. Abhi Datta, Yishai Valter, and Jeffrey Moreno. Their help was crucial in moving from 3D printing to injection molding smoothly and efficiently with the part manufacturer, China Synergy Group.

The FS Foundation provided essential funding that allowed us to make this transition. Meanwhile, Soterix Medical Engineers worked closely with us to ensure the parts met the exact specifications needed for safety and functionality.

What This Means for the Pediatric Belt Cane

The Pediatric Belt Cane remains a custom-made device. While the plastic parts are now injection molded, we still hand-craft the frame and hand sew the structured belt. This combination of precision manufacturing and skilled craftsmanship ensures each Belt Cane fits the child perfectly and supports their needs.

The improved plastic parts contribute to the cane frame’s overall strength and reliability. Parents and caregivers can trust that the device will hold up under daily use and in different environments, including hot weather.

Medical and Educational Importance

The Pediatric Belt Cane is both medically and educationally necessary for children with a mobility visual impairment or blindness. When paired with recommended daily physical activity, these children develop a natural gait and posture, which supports physical development. The Belt Cane also plays a role children developing self-confidence by enabling the child to more easily move through space behind the protective rectangular frame.

Because of its importance, the Pediatric Belt Cane is now covered by most insurance plans. It can also be included as part of a child’s Individualized Education or Family Service Plans (IFSP/IEP), making it more accessible to families who need it.

Looking Ahead

With the arrival of these injection molded parts, we are ready to increase production and reach more children who benefit from the Pediatric Belt Cane. We will continue to focus on quality and customization, combining strong, durable parts with hand-crafted white cane frames and structured belts.

We encourage families, therapists, and educators to learn more about how the Pediatric Belt Cane can support children with a mobility visual impairment or blindness’s mobility and development. If you are interested, please contact us for more information or to discuss insurance coverage options.

Our journey from 3D printing to injection molding marks a significant step forward. It reflects our commitment to improving the lives of children through better, more reliable mobility devices.

845-244-660 us or write info@safetoddles.org