Adapter Positioning for Dental Ceramic Blank Repositioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

In dental reconstruction processes, ceramic blanks often shift during repositioning in holders, leading to machining errors and defective tooth replacement parts due to inconsistent positioning.

Innovation Solution

A separately produced adapter is used to ensure unambiguous positioning of disc-shaped blanks by engaging both with the holder's structural elements and the blank's mechanical referencing, allowing for precise alignment without modifying the holder or blank.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the blank is removed from the holder between processing steps, then working steps can be performed outside the processing machine, but the blank may shift during repositioning leading to machining errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to perform working steps outside processing machineVSAvoidpositioning accuracy of blank

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

An adapter is introduced as an intermediary component between the holder and the blank. The adapter includes a first engagement element that couples to the holder and a second engagement element that couples to the blank, providing a stable referencing structure that prevents blank shift during removal and repositioning operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter is pre-positioned in the holder with its second engagement element ready to receive the blank. Mechanical referencing features such as grooves, protrusions, or keyed interfaces are prepared in advance on both the adapter and blank, enabling precise and rapid repositioning without shift or misalignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If the blank is fixed in the holder through clamping, then the blank can be processed in the processing machine, but the blank cannot be removed for external working steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation stability of blankVSAvoidability to remove and reposition blank

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation system is divided into three separate components: the holder, the adapter, and the blank. The adapter acts as a removable intermediary that can be detached from the holder and reattached, allowing the blank to be securely fixed during machine processing while enabling removal for external working steps without compromising fixation stability upon repositioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10799326B2Method for the positioning of a blank

Publication Date: 2020.10.13 DENTSPLY SIRONA INC

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for positioning a blank (116), which after insertion in a holder is in contact therewith, wherein the holder has a structural element. The blank (16) is positioned in the holder by way of an adapter (118), which is inserted in both the holder or the structural element and the blank, wherein the adapter positively engages with the holder or the structural element and with the blank.