Dental Manufacturing Block With Angular Positioning Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current machining machines for dental prostheses have limited geometry capabilities and are prone to machining defects due to the inability to adjust the manufacturing block's orientation and vibrations during machining.

Innovation Solution

An assembly comprising a machining machine and a manufacturing block with at least two angular positioning elements arranged in mutually perpendicular orientations, allowing for multiple machining reference positions and vibration absorption, enabling the production of dental devices with varied geometries and reducing scrap.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the manufacturing block is fixed in one orientation, then the setup is simple, but the geometry of teeth that can be manufactured is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeometry varietyVSAvoidpositioning system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces angular positioning elements that enable rotation of the manufacturing block around the holding shaft axis, adding a rotational dimension to the previously fixed linear positioning. This allows the block to be oriented at different angles (e.g., 0°, 90°, 180°, 270°) while maintaining the same holding shaft connection, thereby enabling diverse tooth geometries without complicating the fundamental fixing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If the manufacturing block is machined without vibration prevention, then the process is simple, but machining defects occur due to vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface qualityVSAvoidstabilization system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates vibration-absorbing elements directly into the holding shaft structure before the machining process begins. These elements (such as dampers or elastic components) are pre-installed to counteract vibrations that will occur during machining, thereby preventing machining defects and ensuring surface quality without requiring additional stabilization systems during the machining operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Extent of automation

If coding structures are used for machine movement conversion, then automated positioning is enabled, but machining defects from vibrations are not prevented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning automationVSAvoidmachining accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two previously separate functions into the holding shaft: (1) the automated positioning function through coding structures that convert machine codes into positional information for milling tool movement, and (2) the vibration prevention function through integrated vibration-absorbing elements. This merging allows the holding shaft to simultaneously enable automated positioning while preventing machining defects caused by vibrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3395289B1Blank for manufacturing dental devices
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 CABINET DENTAIRE VINCI
  • EP3395289B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3395289B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~7
  • EP3395289B1 patent drawingFigure 8A~8B

AI summary

The present invention relates to a manufacturing block (1) for dental devices, in particular a dental prosthesis, a surgical guide or a dental ornament, comprising at least one machinable part (7) of substantially parallelepiped shape intended to be machined to form the dental device, and a retaining shaft (9) intended to allow the fixing of the manufacturing block (1) in a 4-axis type machining center, the manufacturing block (1) further comprises at least two angular positioning elements (13) disposed at the point of connection between the machinable part (7) and the retaining shaft (9) and arranged in orientations perpendicular to each other, said angular positioning elements (13) being intended to cooperate with complementary means carried by the machining center so as to serve as a reference for the installation of the manufacturing block (1) to define a first and a second machining position.