Dental Component Manufacturing via 3D Printed Burnout Models
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing of dental components, such as dental prostheses, is labor-intensive and prone to errors due to the numerous complex manual steps involved, leading to high work effort and potential defects.
Innovation Solution
The method involves additive manufacturing (3D printing) to create a physical model from a virtual 3D model, embedding it in an investment material, removing it to form a negative mold, inserting raw material, and producing the dental component within the mold, which can be partly automated to reduce human errors and save costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual methods are used to manufacture dental components, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but work effort increases and error sources multiply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses digital copying (3D scanning and virtual modeling) to create precise digital replicas of the patient's dentition and dental components. This digital model is then used to guide the entire manufacturing process, eliminating the need for multiple manual copying steps and reducing both work effort and error sources while maintaining full adaptability to the patient's specific anatomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated systems. The 3D scanner captures dental impressions digitally, CAD software performs virtual modeling and planning, and the 3D printer executes manufacturing based on digital instructions. This substitution of mechanical manual processes with digital-automated systems reduces work effort and minimizes human error while preserving the ability to customize each component.
2Reliability
If multiple manual steps are used in dental component manufacturing, then customization is possible, but defects can occur at many points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a single authoritative digital model that serves as the master copy for the entire manufacturing process. This digital replica eliminates the need for multiple physical copies and manual transfer steps, each of which could introduce defects. The digital model can be stored, reviewed, and reproduced indefinitely without degradation or introduction of errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual operations with automated digital processes. The 3D scanner, CAD software, and 3D printer work together as an integrated automated system that follows precise digital instructions. This eliminates human variability and error sources associated with manual operations while maintaining the ability to produce customized components.
3Loss of substance
If traditional manufacturing methods are used, then material storage is required, but storage costs and material waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental manufacturing parameter from subtractive (removing material) to additive (depositing material layer by layer). Traditional methods require storing large amounts of material and removing excess, while additive manufacturing only uses the exact amount of material needed for each component. This parameter change eliminates material waste and storage requirements while embracing automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates the need to store and manage material inventory by producing components on-demand through additive manufacturing. Instead of discarding excess material or managing storage, the system recovers the benefits of automation by manufacturing only what is needed, when it is needed, using precise digital models to guide material deposition.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces work effort, minimizes error sources, and allows for precise reproduction of fine details, while saving costs by eliminating storage and material waste, and enabling efficient production of both the model and auxiliary structures.
Implementation Method 1
additively manufacturing, in particular by means of 3D printing, a model of the dental component from a model material on the basis of a virtual 3D model of the dental component
Implementation Method 2
removing the model from the investment material, in particular by heating or burning out, to obtain a negative mold of the model
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a dental component, in particular a dental prosthesis or a partial dental prosthesis, by means of a dental furnace, comprising the following steps:(i) additively manufacturing, in particular by means of 3D printing, a model of the dental component from a model material on the basis of a virtual 3D model of the dental component;(ii) embedding the model in an investment material;(iii) removing the model from the investment material, in particular by heating or burning out, to obtain a negative mold of the model;(iv) inserting a raw material required for manufacturing the dental component into the negative mold;(v) producing the dental component in the negative mold; and(vi) removing the negative mold.