HuMod BioTech, a medical technology company based in Peoria, Ill., is redefining prosthetic innovation with its cutting-edge advancements in lower-limb mobility solutions. Co-founded by Matt Dylewski, Joseph Kaisner and Amos Crumrine, the company is on a mission to enhance accessibility and performance in prosthetics through AI-driven solutions. Central to its prototyping and production process is the 770MX CNC Mill from Tormach, which has significantly improved efficiency, cost-effectiveness and engineering progress in prosthetic development.
A Vision for the Future of Mobility
HuMod is driven by a single question: “How can we advance robotics to solve mobility challenges?” With this vision, the company has set out to revolutionize prosthetic advancements by developing user-centric solutions that provide natural, intuitive movement. Its flagship solution, Project Genesis, introduces an actively actuated prosthetic ankle powered by advanced AI, designed to restore mobility and provide a seamless walking experience.
Beyond hardware, HuMod is pioneering an AI copilot system called ADA, which allows for subconscious control of prosthetic limbs. Unlike traditional prosthetics that require conscious effort to operate, ADA enables users to walk and turn naturally, enhancing both mobility and overall quality of life. This breakthrough has the potential to improve physical movement and address the psychological challenges faced by amputees.
“Our approach is to build solutions based on real user feedback and ensure they are truly designed for the people who need them most,” said Dylewski. “By listening to and working directly with our clients, we’re able to develop prosthetics that help individuals regain their independence and confidence in ways that were previously unimaginable.”
Transformative Impact of Tormach 770MX
As HuMod scaled its prosthetic development, it sought a machining solution that could improve prototyping speed, enhance production efficiency and reduce reliance on third-party manufacturers. To accelerate product development and maintain complete design control, it turned to the Tormach 770MX due to its robust capabilities and automation features. With these advanced machining capabilities, HuMod has been able to refine complex prosthetic parts quickly, experiment with new materials and iterate designs in real time.
“The 770MX allows us to ‘set and forget’ certain operations that reduce manual labor and accelerate our prototyping timelines,” explained Kaisner. “What used to take four to eight weeks now takes a single day, and we’ve seen cost savings of up to 90% on some components.”
The 770MX’s 4th-axis capability and tool-changing system have been instrumental in streamlining production, giving HuMod the flexibility to manufacture precision components in-house. The machine’s versatility has empowered the company to refine and enhance parts with greater speed and precision, eliminating delays caused by external suppliers and ensuring tighter control over quality and innovation.
Seamless Integration & Workflow Optimization
Getting started with the Tormach 770MX was quite simple for HuMod. The company credits Tormach’s team for its hands-on support, educational resources and responsive customer service.
“The learning curve was minimal,” Dylewski said. “The 770MX has exceeded our expectations, offering more capabilities than we originally anticipated. It’s now central to nearly everything we create.”
With the 770MX in-house, HuMod has gained full autonomy over its design and manufacturing process, allowing for rapid prototyping and continuous improvements in both performance and user experience. This efficiency ensures the company can bring cutting-edge technology to market faster and at a more affordable price point.
Advancing the Future of Prosthetics
HuMod’s goal is to develop an entirely self-sufficient prosthetic system that controls every component from the socket to the foot. The 770MX plays a crucial role in this ambition, enabling HuMod to advance its mission without dependency on third-party vendors.
HuMod actively fosters collaboration within the mechanical ecosystem, recognizing that meaningful advancements in mobility solutions arise from shared knowledge and collective efforts. Headquartered in Distillery Labs, an entrepreneurial hub in Peoria, the company engages with fellow innovators, shares insights and contributes to the local tech community. This collaborative environment accelerates progress and enhances HuMod’s ability to refine its prosthetic equipment from diverse perspectives.
The company values the cross-disciplinary interactions that take place within this space, leveraging these connections to inspire creativity and expand the reach of its mission. Through this network, HuMod not only advances its own research and development but also contributes to shaping the broader landscape of prosthetic technology. By engaging with its community, the company ensures emerging developments in mobility solutions are driven by collective expertise and real-world user needs.
Advice for Startups Considering CNC Machining
For medical tech startups evaluating the pros and cons of adding a CNC machine to their workflows, HuMod highlights the critical role of in-house manufacturing in accelerating development cycles, reducing costs and maintaining full control over product design and iteration.
“The biggest currency of a startup is time, so every second spent waiting on third-party manufacturing is a missed opportunity,” Kaisner said. “Bringing in the 770MX was a game-changing investment. It has unlocked a new level of efficiency we have never experienced and allows us to continuously improve the quality of our products in every aspect.”
For HuMod, the investment in the 770MX has been nothing short of transformational. The ability to produce high-precision components on demand eliminates external dependencies, ensures rapid refinement of mobility solutions and empowers the company to continue pushing boundaries in prosthetic development.
“We love Tormach,” Dylewski said. “From the moment we discovered them to the hands-on support we received, their team has been nothing short of exceptional. The 770MX has given us the autonomy to push prosthetic engineering to groundbreaking heights. It’s more than just a machine – it’s an enabler of progress that allows us to bring our vision to life faster and more efficiently.”
With HuMod BioTech leading the charge, the future of mobility is becoming more inclusive, intuitive and accessible – one innovative step at a time.