Disk manager for dental blank

Abstract

To provide a disk manager capable of reducing the handling cost of a dental blank.SOLUTION: A disk manager (100) for managing dental blanks (101-1 to 101-n) comprises: a plurality of accommodation compartments (103-1 to 103-n) in which each of them accommodates one dental blank (101-1 to 101-n); and a plurality of display devices (105-1 to 105-n) for displaying the accommodation compartments (103-1 to 103-n) having the dental blanks (101-1 to 101-n) accommodated therein.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a disk manager for managing dental blanks, a module for a disk manager having at least one storage compartment for storing dental blanks, and a method for managing dental blanks. [Background technology]

[0002] Finding a dental blank in the shape of a disk or block often involves a search during dental machining operations. After selecting the right material for the dental prosthesis, one can select among many dental blanks of the same type that have already been machined into a dental prosthesis. The more dental blanks available, the longer the search for the right blank takes.

[0003] If the dental blank with the least amount of residual material is not selected, or if a new dental blank is used before the available residual material is used, inventory levels will be increased more than necessary. In addition to the selection and retrieval of a dental blank, time is also required for inserting and removing the dental blank from the disk holder.

[0004] When nesting or activating a new dental blank, the dental blank is first nested on the computer before being loaded into the manufacturing machine. If the computer and the manufacturing machine are spatially separated, additional time is lost.

[0005] When blanks are stacked or stored on a table, in a drawer, or on a rack, frequent handling often results in breakage of the blank's edges. After a dental blank is completely consumed, it is removed and a new one is ordered. Additionally, the remaining amount of that material in the warehouse influences the timing and ordering instructions. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] An object of the present invention is to reduce the handling costs of dental blanks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The above-mentioned technical problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Technically preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the description and the accompanying drawings.

[0008] According to a first aspect, the technical problem is solved by a disk manager for managing dental blanks, comprising a number of storage compartments for storing one dental blank each; and a display device for displaying the storage compartments in which the dental blanks are stored. The blanks can be block-shaped or disk-shaped. This disk manager reduces the search costs for dental blanks, since after an order is sent by the CAM software or the manufacturing device, only blanks displayed by the display device, e.g. with a light-emitting diode lit (pick-by-light), are picked up. Contact with a blank occurs only if the blank is required for production. Bulk stacking of blanks can be eliminated.

[0009] According to a technically preferred embodiment of the disk manager, the disk manager comprises a storage device for storing the characteristics of the dental blank in each storage compartment. The storage device is a digital memory, e.g. a RAM or a hard disk, for digitally storing information about the characteristics of the blank. The data can also be recorded online or in a network. The disk manager can also have read and write capabilities via an RFID reader. The read data can then be post-processed in the network. The characteristics of the dental blank can include nesting data, which includes the size and shape of the cuts previously cut out of the dental blank. The nesting data can determine whether additional dental prostheses can be cut out of the blank in question.

[0010] Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that, for example, an electronic inventory of dental blanks can be performed.

[0011] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the disk manager, the characteristics include the available remaining raw material, the color, the identification number, the size and / or the manufacturing material of the contained blanks, which information can be stored, managed and evaluated in the CAM software, so that for example the blanks can be managed according to highly suitable characteristics.

[0012] According to a further technically advantageous embodiment of the disk manager, the disk manager can be assembled from a number of modules each having at least one receiving compartment, thereby achieving the technical advantage that, for example, the disk manager can be adapted to spatial requirements.

[0013] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the disk manager, the disk manager comprises an input interface for inputting characteristics of the dental blank, the input interface serving to read the blank. The disk manager may also comprise an input interface for communicating with CAM software or a manufacturing device, thereby achieving a technical advantage that, for example, data about blanks having the desired characteristics may be communicated to the disk manager.

[0014] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the disk manager, the receiving compartment has a ramp or a foam insert for stable positioning of the dental blank, thereby achieving technical advantages, for example, that the blank can be prevented from accidentally falling out.

[0015] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the disk manager, the disk manager comprises a scanning device for scanning the dental blank, thereby achieving the technical advantage that, for example, data relating to the characteristics of the blank can be determined in a convenient manner, which data can be compared or exchanged via a network.

[0016] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the disc manager, the scanning device comprises an optical camera, an RFID reader, a barcode reader and / or a QR code reader, whereby for example the technical advantage is achieved that the blanks can be scanned in a simple and fast manner.

[0017] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the disk manager, an antenna or a sensor is assigned to each storage compartment for detecting the dental blanks stored therein. The antenna or the sensor detects whether a dental blank is stored in the storage compartment. The sensor can be a mechanical switch, a pressure sensor or an ultrasonic sensor. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that the current occupancy status of the storage compartment is known.

[0018] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the disc manager, a display device is assigned to each storage compartment, whereby the technical advantage is achieved, for example, that the storage compartments assigned to the blanks can be easily and quickly detected.

[0019] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the disc manager, the display device comprises a light-emitting diode, a liquid crystal display or electronic paper. The light-emitting diode can be color changeable. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that the storage compartments assigned to the blanks can be uniquely identified.

[0020] According to a second aspect, the above mentioned technical problem is solved by a module for a disc manager having at least one storage compartment for storing dental blanks, which achieves the same technical advantages as the disc manager according to the first aspect.

[0021] According to a technically preferred embodiment of the module, the module comprises a display device for displaying the storage compartments. The display device can also be provided on the blank, thereby achieving the technical advantage that, for example, the storage compartments assigned to the blank can be displayed on the module.

[0022] According to further technically preferred embodiments of the modules, the modules can be connected vertically or horizontally. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, of a spatially flexible configuration of the disk manager, which is generally valid for disk managers. In general, the modules can also be arranged in a spatially separated manner, not only horizontally and vertically, but also spatially separated.

[0023] According to a third aspect, the above-mentioned technical problem is solved by a method for managing dental blanks, comprising the steps of storing dental blanks in one of a plurality of storage compartments; and displaying the storage compartment in which the dental blanks having a given characteristic are stored. This method achieves the same technical advantages as the disk manager according to the first aspect.

[0024] According to a technically preferred embodiment of the method, it is detected whether a dental blank has been inserted into one of the receiving compartments, thereby achieving the technical advantage that, for example, the occupancy status of the receiving compartments can be detected.

[0025] According to a further technically preferred embodiment of the method, the remaining quantity of dental blanks is detected, thereby achieving the technical advantage that, for example, stock can be controlled.

[0026] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the method, dental blanks are automatically reordered if the remaining quantity falls below a given value, thereby achieving the technical advantage, for example, of having a sufficient quantity of each dental blank on hand.

[0027] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the method, an inventory of dental blanks is managed, thereby achieving the technical advantage, for example, that dental blanks can be managed in such a way that there is always a sufficient quantity.

[0028] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a disk manager. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a disk manager configured in a modular manner. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating management of dental blanks. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] 1 shows an overview of a disk manager 100. The disk manager 100 constitutes a structured storage system and includes a number of storage compartments 103-1,...,103-n for storing one dental blank 101-1,...,101-n each. The disk manager 100 further includes display devices 105-1,...,105-n for displaying the corresponding storage compartment 103-1,...,103-n in which a particular dental blank 101-1,...,101-n is stored.

[0031] The blanks 101-1,...,101-n can be accommodated individually in the storage compartments 103-1,...,103-n. The shape of the storage compartments 103-1,...,103-n is adapted to the blanks 101-1,...,101-n. For example, the back wall fits the radius of the blank. The inclination ensures that the blanks 101-1,...,101-n roll gently into the storage compartments 103-1,...,103-n and do not roll off the disk manager 100. The rolling off can additionally be prevented by an additional edge or lip on the top of the display device 105-1,...,105-n. The storage compartments 103-1,...,103-n can be provided with foam, thereby preventing damage to the blanks 101-1,...,101-n. Each bay 103-1,...,103-n may be equipped with its own antenna, whereby an antenna multiplexer detects which bay 103-1,...,103-n is occupied.

[0032] The disk manager 100 comprises a storage device 107 for storing data relating to the characteristics of the dental blanks 101-1,...,101-n contained in each storage compartment 103-1,...,103-n. The storage of data relating to the characteristics of the dental blanks 101-1,...,101-n is also possible in the network, such characteristics relating for example to the available remaining material, color, identification number, size and / or manufacturing raw materials of the contained blanks. Furthermore, the disk manager 100 comprises a processor (CPU) for evaluating the stored data.

[0033] The ROM, RAM, and hard disk are digital storage devices 107 for storing data and computer-executable instructions that can be executed by the processor or that can be translated or understood to be executed by the processor. Suitable computer-executable instructions can be stored in a computer-readable medium (e.g., ROM, RAM, and / or hard disk), hardware circuitry, etc., or a combination thereof.

[0034] Storage 107 may include various data storage media readable by a processor. Examples of computer readable storage media may include volatile and non-volatile computer memory and storage devices, such as, but not limited to, random access memory, read-only memory, hard disk drives, direct access storage devices, flash memory devices, optical data storage devices, read-only compact disk memory, and other suitable computer memory and data storage devices. Storage 107 may also be comprised of an RFID tag provided on a corresponding blank.

[0035] Disk manager 100 may include one or more processors coupled with one or more user input / output (I / O) devices and storage devices. Examples of I / O devices include keyboards, displays, monitors, touch panels, printers, and electronic pointing devices such as mice, trackballs, electronic pens, touch pads, etc., among others.

[0036] The disk manager 100 can be coupled to a variety of peripheral devices such as displays, information devices, printers, plotters, speakers, etc. The disk manager 100 can also be coupled to external computers or other devices via a network interface, wireless communication device, or other facility coupled to a network, such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or the Internet.

[0037] Via the input interface 111 data on the characteristics of the blanks 101-1,...,101-n to be searched for can be provided, for example by CAM software. The disc manager 100 compares this data with the stored data of the accommodated blanks 101-1,...,101-n and displays, using the displays 105-1,...,105-n, the accommodation compartments 103-1,...,103-n in which blanks 101-1,...,101-n with the required characteristics are accommodated. The storage of the blanks can thereby be made random, since an algorithm detects in each case the blanks 101-1,...,101-n present.

[0038] The sorting of the blanks 101-1,...,101-n can also be performed structurally in the digital library based on sorting or machine learning algorithms. The disc manager 100 can also provide suggestions for optimized or cut-and-sew optimized blanks 101-1,...,101-n. The filtering and sorting of the blanks 101-1,...,101-n can be performed in the CAM software.

[0039] First, a new milling job order arrives, for example from a manufacturing machine. If a dental blank 101-8 with the required material is stored in the disk manager 100, the corresponding storage compartment 103-8 lights up orange. When the blank 101-8 is removed from the disk manager 100 and loaded into and recognized by the manufacturing machine 113, the corresponding storage compartment 103-8 goes out on the disk manager 100.

[0040] During that time, if a new blank 101-3 is inserted, the blank can be stored in a central data bank or cloud server via an RFID reader as a scanning device 115 on the disc manager 100 and stored in the green lit storage compartment 103-3.

[0041] Once the operation is completed, the blank 101-8 is again removed from the manufacturing machine 113 and similarly scanned on the RFID reader of the disc manager 100 and then stored in the bay 103-8 that is again illuminated green. The blank 101-8 can also be stored in any empty bay 103 or in a bay 103 selected by the sorting algorithm. Since the blanks are discharged from the manufacturing machine at various times after the milling operation, the storage of the blanks can also be performed randomly.

[0042] The blanks 101-1,...,101-n can also be scanned while they are being inserted in the storage compartments 103-1,...,103-n. To this end, the storage compartments 103-1,...,103-n can be used with built-in scanners (scan gates) by which the blanks 101-1,...,101-n are scanned during their movement into the storage compartments 103-1,...,103-n. The scanning device 115 coupled to the disk manager 100 can be movably arranged on rails. The scanning device 115 can also be configured as a barcode or QR code reader. The barcode or QR code can be arranged in a circular fashion around the blanks 101-1,...,101-n. Upon scanning of the blanks 101-1,...,101-n, an automatic new order can be executed. Delivery notes can be received in the CAM databank, plus digital inventory management or the analysis and evaluation of nesting data can be carried out.

[0043] The nesting data indicates which portions of the blanks 101-1, . . . , 101-n have already had dental prostheses milled out from them, and how much material was used to do so.

[0044] Based on the nesting data, it can be determined at what locations and with what sizes additional dental prostheses can be milled from the blanks 101-1,...,101-n. The nesting data can be communicated to the repository by information exchange.

[0045] The disc manager 100 can also include a printer for labels. The creation of the digital ID is independent of the label. The label can be placed on the disc holder, on a blank, or on a label flag. Therefore, color codes, bar codes, or QR codes can be used.

[0046] The input interface 111 serves for inputting the characteristics of the dental blanks 101-1,...,101-n. The input interface may be formed, for example, by a data connection with CAM software or may consist of a user interface, for example a touch-sensitive screen, through which a user can input data manually. The input interface 111 may also be formed by an optical scanner, such as a barcode scanner or a QR code scanner.

[0047] The blanks 101-1,...,101-n can be scanned and supported on a trolley or holder (two-axis handling) so that RFID tags can be distributed around the blanks 101-1,...,101-n and thus readable in any direction. The electronic input interface 111 can also be configured so that data stored on the RFID tags of the blanks 101-1,...,101-n can be recalled by the electronic input interface.

[0048] By camera monitoring of the cut images of the blanks 101-1,...,101-n from above, a comparison with a CAM data bank and creation of a cut image library can be performed. Reading of the blanks 101-1,...,101-n can be performed directly on the manufacturing machine 113 or on the disk manager 100.

[0049] The disc manager 100 creates barcodes synchronized with the manufacturing equipment 113. Barcode reading and printing stations can be directly coupled to the disc manager 100. Similar to the disc manager 100, a block manager can also be designed to accommodate blocks in a matrix structure.

[0050] The disk manager 100 allows time saving during the manufacturing process and optimization of the dental laboratory's inventory. In addition, it allows space saving and a clear disk inventory. Furthermore, the disk manager 100 allows monitoring of the blanks 101-1,...,101-n against loss and theft. Therefore, user authentication, e.g. by locking or user-specific login, can be performed by the disk manager 100.

[0051] To optimally utilize inventory, the blanks 101-1,...,101-n that have been cutout optimized can be prioritized on the disk manager 100. The disk manager 100 allows for more compact storage of the blanks 101-1,...,101-n compared to a pull-out approach.

[0052] The disk manager 100 can be in a portable format with power supply via a power adapter, manufacturing equipment 113, computer (USB), or battery. The disk manager 100 can also be implemented as an external disk changer with built-in work order coordination and inventory control. The disk manager 100 can be designed as a standalone disk manager and as a plug-in for CAM software or manufacturing equipment.

[0053] By connecting the disk manager 100 to the cloud, it is possible to prevent or enable multiple manufacturing machines 113 to access the same blank 101-1,...,101-n, thereby preventing access conflicts. In addition, the disk manager 100 can be installed close to the manufacturing machines 113, shortening the transport path from the nesting on the computer to the manufacturing machines 113. New blanks 101-1,...,101-n that are still in the packaging can be scanned directly on the disk manager 100 into the CAM software. Intelligent algorithms capture and evaluate the data, which detect the most used materials and determine the optimal storage compartments 103-1,...,103-n for each blank 101-1,...,101-n.

[0054] The blanks 101-1,...,101-n may be contained in any of the storage compartments 103-1,...103-n, and the disc manager 100 detects, by difference comparison, for example using an antenna in each storage compartment, which storage compartment 103-1,...103-n contains the blank 101-1,...101-n.

[0055] Communication regarding the characteristics of the blanks 101-1,...,101-n can be performed wirelessly or by wire between the disk manager 100 and the dental manufacturing equipment 113. The blanks 101-1,...,101-n are initialized by the disk manager 100 according to the material, but also according to the current milling profile, e.g., how much space is still available on the blanks 101-1,...,101-n for the dental prosthesis.

[0056] In addition, the CAM software and the disc manager 100 communicate with each other, i.e. information about used blanks 101-1,...,101-n is stored and transferred until the blank is discarded. A comparison can be performed between the real blanks 101-1,...,101-n and their digital twins in a databank (CAM library).

[0057] For management and optimal sorting of blanks, the disk manager 100 can be coupled with a warehouse and integrated with manufacturing equipment 113 and CAM software. The user receives optimal blanks 101-1,...,101-n for each work order on the manufacturing equipment 113.

[0058] It is also possible to separate the CAM software from the manufacturing equipment 113 and perform communication only between the CAM software and the disk manager 100. This allows the disk manager 100 to be connected to a variety of manufacturing equipment 113 and store external blanks (open system).

[0059] 2 shows an overview of the disk manager 100, which is constructed in a modular manner. The disk manager 100 includes a number of modules 109 with storage compartments 103-1,...,103-n that can be combined horizontally and / or vertically. This design can save space compared to a drawer design, and the length and height can be changed (C-shape design). It is also possible to stack disk managers 100 of different sizes. A disk manager 100 with wider storage compartments 103-1,...,103-n reduces the number of tightening and loosening operations.

[0060] The disk manager 100 can be located in the lower and upper cabinets of the manufacturing equipment at a height that allows the blanks 101-1,...,101-n to be close to the manufacturing equipment for easy access. Multiple disk managers 100 can be distributed over multiple manufacturing equipment 113. The disk manager 100 can be formed, for example, in a side wall of the manufacturing equipment 113, in which an arm holds the blanks 101-1,...,101-n or a magazine is mounted for vertical or horizontal movement, so that the blanks 101-1,...,101-n can be moved to a transfer position for removal by a robotic arm.

[0061] Additionally, the adaptable design of the disc manager 100 allows for the storage of disc holders with blanks inserted in addition to the blanks 101-1,...,101-n. The disc manager 100 or the module 109 can also be dedicated to accommodating disc holders with blanks 101-1,...,101-n inserted, thereby allowing different modules to be combined with each other. Information about whether a blank 101-1,...,101-n is present in a disc holder can be stored in an RFID tag on the disc holder.

[0062] Furthermore, it becomes unnecessary to apply written material descriptions onto the blanks, which is convenient because the written material descriptions on the blanks 101-1,...,101-n can sometimes be scratched off, and the readability of the inscriptions on the blanks 101-1,...,101-n can decrease due to wear.

[0063] A block diagram of the management of dental blanks 101-1,...,101-n is shown in Fig. 3. The method includes a step S101 of storing dental blanks 101-1,...,101-n in one of a number of storage compartments 103-1,...,103-n. In step S102, the storage compartments 103-1,...,103-n storing dental blanks 101-1,...,101-n having given characteristics are displayed.

[0064] If multiple manufacturing machines 113 and disk manager 100 are used, they can communicate with each other via light using color coding. In addition, communication with a warehouse or storehouse can also be performed. For example, a first manufacturing machine 113 is coded by blue light emission and a second manufacturing machine 113 by green light emission. In that way, a user can immediately recognize in which manufacturing machine 113 each blank 101-1, . . . , 101-n should be inserted. Of course, it is also possible to assign a disk manager 100 to a specific manufacturing machine 113, so that the disk manager receives work orders only from that specific manufacturing machine 113.

[0065] Communication with the warehouse is performed on a computer. By connecting the disk manager 100 to the manufacturing equipment 113, the stored material can be inspected. The disk manager 100 can have its own display. Furthermore, the display of the manufacturing equipment 113 or the call-up of a website via a mobile device can be used to provide information to the user.

[0066] According to this disk manager 100, the corresponding storage compartments 103-1,..., 103-n in the module 109 are lit up, so that even an inexperienced user can recognize which blanks are required for the manufacturing machine 113 and should be loaded into the manufacturing machine 113. In other words, the disk manager 100 provides the user with easy operability. Since the disk manager 100 always checks the latest inventory, new blank orders can be automatically or regularly placed by the disk manager 100. For example, the disk manager 100 automatically orders new blanks when the stock falls below a given minimum quantity.

[0067] It is also possible to perform demand forecasts for materials and generate statistics to assist in ordering, thereby always maintaining the minimum stock level in the warehouse. In addition, it is possible to capture which blanks 101-1,...,101-n are most used, thereby enabling the assortment to be reduced. Only when there are no blanks 101-1,...,101-n in use, new blanks 101-1,...,101-n are used. In addition, it is possible to issue suggestions for optimizing inventory management.

[0068] In order to better understand the blank or material usage characteristics of the user, it is useful to integrate the disk manager 100 into the work cycle, thereby enabling optimal material distribution. The disk manager 100 can be used as an automatic storage device in a dental clinic or dental laboratory.

[0069] All the features described and illustrated in relation to individual embodiments of the invention can also be the subject of the invention in various combinations, whereby advantageous simultaneous advantages are achieved.

[0070] All method steps may be performed using apparatus suitable for performing each method step. All functions performed by the feature of interest may be considered as method steps in this method.

[0071] The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and is not limited by the features described or illustrated in the description. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 100 Disk Manager 101 Blank Containment Area 103 105 Display device 107 Storage device 109 Modules 111 Input Interface 113 Manufacturing equipment 115 Scanning Device

Claims

1. a plurality of receiving compartments (103-1, ..., 103-n) each for receiving one dental blank (101-1, ..., 101-n); A display device (105-1, ..., 105-n) for displaying storage compartments (103-1, ..., 103-n) in which dental blanks (101-1, ..., 101-n) are stored, A disk manager (100) for managing dental blanks (101-1, . . . , 101-n).

2. 2. The disk manager (100) of claim 1, wherein the disk manager (100) comprises a memory device (107) for storing characteristics of the dental blanks (101-1, ..., 101-n) in each storage compartment (103-1, ..., 103-n).

3. 3. The disk manager (100) of claim 2, wherein among the characteristics are available remaining stock, color, identification number, size and / or manufacturing material of the blanks contained therein.

4. A disk manager (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the disk manager (100) is assembleable from a plurality of modules (109-1, ..., 109-n) each having at least one accommodation compartment (103-1, ..., 103-n).

5. A disk manager (100) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the disk manager (100) comprises an input interface (111) for inputting characteristics of the dental blanks (101-1, ..., 101-n).

6. 6. The disk manager (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the receiving compartments (103-1, ..., 103-n) have ramps or foam inserts for stable positioning of the dental blanks (101-1, ..., 101-n).

7. The disk manager (100) of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the disk manager (100) comprises a scanning device (115) for scanning the dental blanks (101-1, ..., 101-n).

8. 8. The disk manager (100) of claim 7, wherein the scanning device (115) comprises an optical camera, an RFID reader, a barcode reader, and / or a QR code reader.

9. 9. A disk manager (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein an antenna (103-1, ..., 103-n) or a sensor is assigned to each storage compartment (103-1, ..., 103-n) for detecting the dental blanks (101-1, ..., 101-n) stored therein.

10. 10. The disk manager (100) according to claim 1, wherein a display device (105-1, . . . , 105-n) is assigned to each storage compartment (103-1, . . . , 103-n).

11. The disk manager (100) of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the display devices (105-1, ..., 105-n) include light emitting diodes, liquid crystal displays, or electronic paper.

12. A module (109-1, . . . , 109-n) for a disk manager (100) having at least one receiving compartment (103-1, . . . , 103-n) for receiving a dental blank (101-1, . . . , 101-n).

13. 13. Modules (109-1, ..., 109-n) according to claim 12, characterized in that the modules (109-1, ..., 109-n) are provided with display devices (105-1, ..., 105-n) for displaying the storage compartments (103-1, ..., 103-n).

14. The modules (109-1, ..., 109-n) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the modules (109-1, ..., 109-n) can be connected vertically or horizontally.

15. A step (S101) of storing dental blanks (101-1, ..., 101-n) in one of a plurality of storage compartments (103-1, ..., 103-n); and displaying (S102) storage compartments (103-1, ..., 103-n) in which dental blanks (101-1, ..., 101-n) having given characteristics are stored. A method for managing dental blanks (101-1, . . . , 101-n).

16. 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein it is detected whether a dental blank (101-1, ..., 101-n) is inserted in one of the receiving compartments (103-1, ..., 103-n).

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the remaining amount of dental blanks (101-1, ..., 101-n) is detected.

18. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the dental blanks (101-1, ..., 101-n) are automatically reordered if the remaining quantity falls below a given value.

19. A method according to any of claims 15 to 18, wherein an inventory of dental blanks (101-1, ..., 101-n) is controlled.

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