Dental Block Machining With Lateral Tool Motion Around the Equator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental machining systems are inefficient, leading to long machining times and increased risk of damaging dental restorations and tools, as they often require multiple steps and can cause unmachined pieces to separate from the block, prolonging patient wait times and increasing manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a dental tool that moves along a path with an overlaid lateral motion, avoiding separation of unmachined pieces from the block, allowing for complete machining around the equator in one or multiple steps without forming channels, using a double-spindle dental tool machine to simultaneously or sequentially machine from both sides, and employing various tool shapes and materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a channel is machined around the equator to cut out unmachined pieces, then machining time is reduced, but the unmachined pieces pose a risk of damaging the dental restoration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful separation of unmachined pieces into a beneficial controlled process by using a dental tool with a specific path that intentionally separates small unmachined pieces while maintaining connection through the holding stub. The tool path is designed to machine away material in a controlled manner that prevents dangerous large pieces from separating and damaging the restoration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different machining strategies to different regions: the holding stub area is machined with careful control to maintain connection, while other regions can be more aggressively machined. The tool path varies locally to achieve optimal results in different zones of the dental block.
2Manufacturing precision
If material is machined from outside up to dental restoration with low lateral infeed, then machining precision is maintained, but machining time increases to approximately 10 minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic tool paths with varying lateral infeed rates rather than a static low infeed approach. The tool moves along a programmed path that adjusts the material removal rate based on the local geometry and machining conditions, enabling faster machining while maintaining precision through controlled dynamics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous machining action along a programmed tool path that efficiently removes material without unnecessary pauses or slow feed rates. The tool continuously engages the workpiece along an optimized trajectory, maintaining productive cutting action throughout the machining process while preserving precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of machining a dental block (2) by using at least one dental tool (4) to finish or pre-finish a dental restoration (5) at least completely along the equator (5a) with or without a holding stub (5b), the method characterized by comprising: a step of moving the axis (4a) of the dental tool (4) along a path (6) with an overlaid lateral motion having an amplitude (A), and without separating an unmachined piece (2') from the rest of the dental block (2), wherein the path (6) lies away from the equator (5a) at least by an amount equal to half of the diameter of the dental tool (4) plus half of the amplitude (A) of the overlaid lateral motion.