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How to Spec an Orthotic or Prosthetic Pad: What to Send H-O for a Quote
An orthotic, prosthetic or rehab padding part quotes fastest when the request describes the stack by layer and states the load, the firmness and any documentation up front. A converter cannot select a conforming foam, a resilient cushion or a structural base from a part name alone, because each layer is a different grade driven by different properties. This guide is the eight-item checklist that turns a padding RFQ into a same-direction quote and a sample on your geometry, with everything kept at the material level.
What does H-O need to quote an orthotic or prosthetic pad?
A padding part quotes fastest when the request describes the stack by layer and states the load, the firmness and any documentation up front. A converter cannot select a conforming foam, a resilient cushion or a structural base from a part name alone, because each layer is a different grade driven by different properties. The checklist below turns a padding RFQ into a same-direction quote and a sample on your geometry.
The eight things to send
- The layers and their jobs. Describe the stack: conforming comfort top, resilient cushion, structural base, wear interface. List each layer you need; each is a separate selection.
- The profile or outline. A die line, a DXF, a PDF with dimensions, or a marked-up sketch, including any contour, bevel or feathered edge.
- Gauge per layer and total stack height. The thickness of each layer and the finished stack, or the space the part fills.
- The load case. How the part is loaded (sustained or intermittent) and roughly how much, so the grade can be matched for firmness and recovery.
- Firmness and recovery needs. Soft, medium or firm per layer, and whether any layer must keep its cushion under sustained loading (a compression-set requirement).
- Material-level documentation needed. State whether you need an ISO 10993 or USP Class VI material-level designation, or an FDA-grade composition basis. The finished-product file stays with you.
- Adhesive and lamination. Which layers laminate together, whether the part carries adhesive and a liner, and any release tab.
- Quantities and dates. Prototype count plus annual volume, and your sample and production dates.
What you get back
With the checklist in hand, H-O returns a cautiously framed grade direction for each layer, a converting plan (die-cut, skived, contoured, laminated, kitted on liners), and samples on your geometry for common configurations. Grade-specific values and any material-level documentation are confirmed against the manufacturer's current technical data sheet; the finished product, its fit and its regulatory file remain with you.
We name a family only where it is catalog-verified, and we make no orthopedic, clinical, therapeutic or efficacy claim. For example, a conforming comfort layer commonly maps to PORON® Medical microcellular polyurethane, confirmed to your grade on the data sheet.
What H-O does not decide for you
- The fit and the finished product. The grade direction is the material; the orthosis, its fit and its assessment are yours.
- The biocompatibility file. The material-level ISO 10993 or USP Class VI designation is the material maker's; the finished-product file is yours.
- The service life. Compression set is a material property; the life on a person depends on the loading profile.
- Grade-level numbers. Durometer, force-deflection and compression set are read on the maker's current data sheet, not invented in the quote.
A model RFQ
"We need a three-layer insole pad: a soft microcellular polyurethane conforming top about 3 mm, a resilient cushion middle about 4 mm that must keep its cushion under daily sustained load, and a firm crosslinked polyethylene base about 3 mm for structure. Profile attached as DXF with a feathered forefoot edge. Laminate the three layers; adhesive on the base side with a liner.
We need the comfort grades to carry an ISO 10993 material-level designation on their data sheets; our product file is in house. Quantities 30 prototype plus 10,000 per year; samples in three weeks." That request can be directioned and sampled without a clarifying round.
Ready to spec an orthotic or prosthetic pad?
Send the layer list, the profile, the load case and any material-level documentation you need. We will return a grade direction for each layer and convert samples on your geometry.
Samples typically ship in 3 to 5 business days for common die-cut configurations; standard production runs about two weeks; special orders are quoted to the job.
Family-owned in Winsted, Connecticut since 1971 · ISO 9001:2015 certified · OEMs worldwide send us a drawing — and get back their part.
Related reading
ApplicationOrthotics, Prosthetics & Rehab (application page)Read →
GuideConform, Cushion or Structure? Choosing Materials for Orthotic and Prosthetic PaddingRead →
GuideCompression Set vs Pressure Redistribution: Why an Orthotic Pad Keeps Its CushionRead →
IndustryMedical & clean components overview (industry hub)Read →
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to send H-O to quote an orthotic pad?
Send the layers and their jobs (conforming top, resilient cushion, structural base, wear interface), a profile or outline with any contour and feathered edges, the gauge per layer and total stack height, the load case, the firmness and recovery needs, the material-level documentation you need (ISO 10993, USP Class VI by designation), the lamination and adhesive details, and your quantities and dates. With that, H-O returns a grade direction per layer and samples on your geometry.
Do I have to choose the foam before I ask for a quote?
No. Describe the stack, the load and the firmness you want, and H-O recommends a cautiously framed grade direction for each layer. We name a foam family only where it is catalog-verified, and we confirm grade-specific values and any material-level documentation against the manufacturer's current technical data sheet. The finished product and its fit stay with you.
Can H-O provide biocompatibility documentation for an orthotic part?
H-O can request and pass through the material maker's material-level documentation, such as an ISO 10993 or USP Class VI designation, where the named grade carries it on its data sheet. That documentation describes the material. The finished orthosis, its fit and its regulatory file are owned by you as the device or orthosis maker. H-O is a converter and an ISO 9001:2015 certified organization; it is not an ISO 13485, FDA or cleanroom certified provider.
Request a quote for your orthotic or prosthetic pad
Send H-O your layer list and profile—engineering reviews every RFQ, recommends a grade per layer, and converts samples on your geometry.
Last updated · Reviewed by H-O Products engineering (ISO 9001:2015 certified converter, Winsted, CT).
References
- ASTM D3574, Standard Test Methods for Flexible Cellular Materials: Slab, Bonded, and Molded Urethane Foams. ASTM International.
- ASTM D395, Standard Test Methods for Rubber Property: Compression Set. ASTM International.
- ISO 10993-1, Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices, Part 1: Evaluation and Testing Within a Risk Management Process. International Organization for Standardization (material-level designation).
- USP Class VI, United States Pharmacopeia, Biological Reactivity Tests, In Vivo (material-level designation).
- Manufacturer technical data sheets for the named foam families; grade-specific values and material-level documentation are confirmed on the maker's current TDS.
This article describes material families H-O Products converts and cites published standards by designation (ASTM D3574 and ASTM D395 for urethane force-deflection and compression set, ASTM D1056 for cellular rubber, ASTM D2240 for durometer, ISO 10993 and USP Class VI as material-level designations). It makes no patient, clinical, therapeutic, orthopedic, healing or efficacy claim of any kind, and describes padding and cushioning materials only.
The material maker characterizes and documents a grade on its current technical data sheet; the device or orthosis maker owns the finished product, its fit and its regulatory file. H-O Products is a precision die-cut converter, not a raw-material producer and not a medical-device or orthotic manufacturer; this is not, and does not imply, an ISO 13485 certification, an FDA device registration, a cleanroom certification or a biocompatibility certification.
The only certification claimed is ISO 9001:2015, which governs the converting process. Grade-specific values are confirmed against the manufacturer's current technical data sheet and an engineering drawing review. All parts are custom manufactured to order and minimum production run quantities apply.