Dental Object Orientation Using Reference Coordinate Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital workflows for dental restorations face challenges in efficiently producing dental objects due to proprietary metadata formats that are not universally compatible, leading to the need for separate interfaces and difficulties in determining object indications during import, especially in manufacturing processes requiring support structures.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the generation of a digital dental object in a coordinate system, followed by rotating and positioning it based on a digital reference object to achieve an optimized orientation, allowing for automatic alignment and addition of support structures based on the reference object's specifications, thereby facilitating efficient production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If proprietary metadata formats are used in CAD software, then manufacturing process control and optimization are improved, but compatibility across different CAM software systems deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing process controlVSAvoidsoftware compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a coordinate system transformation as an intermediary mechanism that translates dental objects from CAD coordinate systems to manufacturing-specific coordinate systems. This mediator enables universal compatibility across different CAM software systems while maintaining precise control over manufacturing processes, eliminating the need for proprietary metadata formats in each CAD system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal coordinate system transformation approach that works across all CAM software systems regardless of the original CAD system used. By defining standard coordinate systems for different manufacturing methods (subtractive, additive, infiltration), the solution provides multi-functional compatibility while maintaining manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If manual orientation adjustment is performed for each dental object, then manufacturing optimization is improved, but production time and complexity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorientation optimizationVSAvoidproduction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automatic orientation determination where the system itself performs the coordinate system transformation based on the dental object's geometry and the selected manufacturing method. The CAM software automatically identifies the optimal orientation and applies the appropriate transformation, eliminating the need for manual intervention and significantly reducing production time while maintaining optimization quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes predefined coordinate systems for different manufacturing methods before the actual manufacturing process begins. By preparing these reference coordinate systems in advance and automatically matching them to the dental object, the system performs the orientation optimization work beforehand, reducing on-the-spot processing time and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If dental objects are imported without standardized coordinate systems, then flexibility in CAD software is improved, but determination of object indication and manufacturing method deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimport flexibilityVSAvoidobject indication determination
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the CAM software analyzes the imported dental object's geometry and automatically determines the appropriate coordinate system transformation based on the object's characteristics and the selected manufacturing method. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically identify object indications and optimize orientation without requiring standardized metadata from the CAD system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12544199B2Manufacturing method for a dental object
Publication Date: 2026.02.10 IVOCLAR VIVADENT AG
  • US12544199B2 patent drawing
  • US12544199B2 patent drawing
  • US12544199B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A manufacturing method for a dental object, including the steps of generating (S101) a digital dental object in a coordinate system describing a shape of the dental object to be manufactured; rotating (S102) the spatial orientation of the digital dental object in the coordinate system based on a digital reference object in the coordinate system; and manufacturing (S103) the dental object based on the digital dental object with the rotated spatial orientation.