Dual-Blank Dental Clamping for Front-Side Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for clamping blanks in workbench inserts restrict access to the front sides, limiting the area that can be processed and requiring re-clamping or different handling to access the desired dental elements effectively.
Innovation Solution
An arrangement where two blanks are held with their front sides as completely accessible as possible, using a holding device with auxiliary holding surfaces and clamping devices that allow for adjustable clamping, enabling efficient machining without re-clamping, and allowing both blanks to be processed via their fully accessible front sides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If blanks are clamped in the workbench insert over a large part of the front and rear sides, then the blanks are securely held in place, but only a small protruding area can be processed
Solution Approach 1:
The holding device is divided into multiple independent clamping units, each capable of clamping blanks at different positions. This segmentation allows the front sides of blanks to remain accessible for processing while maintaining secure clamping through distributed contact points rather than large-area clamping.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping mechanism transitions from two-dimensional large-area contact to three-dimensional point or line contact through vertically adjustable clamping elements. This dimensional change enables secure clamping with minimal interference on the front surface, allowing processing equipment to access at least 80% of the front sides.
2Stability of the object's composition
If blanks are clamped with large contact areas, then stable holding is achieved, but re-clamping or different handling is required to access desired dental elements
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device incorporates movable clamping elements that can be dynamically adjusted during the machining process. This dynamic capability allows the clamping configuration to adapt to different machining stages without requiring complete re-clamping, maintaining both stability and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding device is designed with universal clamping capabilities that can accommodate multiple machining operations and blank configurations through a single setup. The adjustable clamping mechanism serves multiple functions: initial clamping, intermediate adjustments, and final securing, eliminating the need for different handling methods.
3Device complexity
If the clamping device is designed for fixed thickness blanks, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate blanks of different thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device incorporates adjustable parameters, specifically the vertical position of clamping elements, which can be modified to accommodate blanks of different thicknesses. This parameter adjustment capability allows the same simple clamping structure to handle variable thicknesses without increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device includes preliminary adjustment mechanisms that allow the clamping parameters to be set before machining begins. This preliminary configuration enables the simple clamping structure to adapt to different blank thicknesses in advance, maintaining versatility without requiring complex real-time adjustments during operation.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c
AI summary
Arrangement (5) comprising at least two blanks (1, 2) and a holding device (3) for clamping the two blanks (1, 2), wherein the two blanks (1, 2) each have a first side designed as a front (V) and each have a second side designed as a back (R), wherein in the clamped state the two blanks (1, 2) are facing each other with their backs (R) and substantially the entire fronts (V) of the blanks (1, 2) are accessible.