CAMISHA Shell Production

CAMISHA is now fully operational at PC Werth.
The new CAMISHA technology, which stands for Computer Aided Manufacturing of Individual Shells for Hearing Aids signifies a radical change in the manufacturing of customer ordering of Hearing Aids.

The CAMISHA method of manufacturing ITE and CIC shells involves the use of laser technology and Stereo Lithography (SLA) and consists of a 3 step process - the impressions is scanned, the scanned image is then modelled using 3D computer software and then finally the shell is built using a liquid photoplastic acrylic material and laser technology.

Photo of CAMISHA software shown on 2 screens

The Advantages for the User

Shells produced from the CAMISHA method of manufacturing offer significant improvements for
the user, as follows :

Optimum Fit, meaning greater comfort and less risk of feedback.
Smaller shell size due to the exact representation of the impression.
Better Venting and therefore less occlusion for some users.
Fast Remake as impression data is stored and a 100% identical copy
is easily available if the shell is lost or damaged.

The CAMISHA Shell Manufacturing Process

The following is a summary of the Step by Step process which is involved in the manufacture of Hearing Aid shells using the CAMISHA method of production.

Step 1 - The Impression of the Ear Canal is scanned into the system. The scanning process works by using a number of cameras to take 3D images of the physical impression.

Step 2 - Once the impression is scanned, the Hearing Aid is developed using 3D design software. This image shows one of the steps in the initial cutting down process in which the canal length is shortened from the original impression canal length.

Step 3 - This image shows the Hearing Aid vent being added to the shell. Inside the shell you can also see 'virtual' electronic components. Although the electronic components are added manually in the final stage of production the virtual placement in the shell during the manufacturing process means that we can be sure that the electronics will fit properly and also so that the shell can be made as small as possible.

Step 4 - The Hearing Aid is built using lasers which harden a photoplastic acrylic material. In this picture you can see the laser hardening the shell material.

Step 5 - The finished shells are shown in this picture. The shells are built on tiny platforms which support the shell whilst they are being manufactured. After removal from the manufactuing unit the platforms are removed and the shell is polished and lacquered.

Step 6 - In this image you can see the shells prior to final polishing and lacquering. Inside the shell you can see a tag which identifies the shell. The tag is built during the manufacturing process and identifies the shell so that we can correctly match the hearing aid shell with the customer order.

Step 7 - The final product. After polishing and lacquering, the electronics are fitted to the shell. The result is a Hearing Aid that is smaller, providing an optimum fit, reducing feedback and occlusion. A first within the Australian market CAMISHA is now being used for the production of all ITE and CIC Hearing Aid Shells.

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