Dental Restoration CAD/CAM Workflow With In-Process Design Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental restoration production methods are costly and not widely accessible due to their reliance on complex machinery and manual labor, with existing CAD/CAM systems limiting cost savings to individual steps within specific workflows, and failing to leverage full manufacturing potential by fixing designs during the design phase rather than allowing modifications during production.
Innovation Solution
A method that includes acquired data in the design process to modify and optimize dental restoration designs throughout the manufacturing process, allowing for placement information and support means optimization, and varying precision and detail levels based on tooth position and visibility, enabling cost reduction and improved aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If designs are fixed during the design phase, then design consistency is maintained, but manufacturing flexibility and cost optimization are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic design modification system where the design data can be changed during the manufacturing process based on various inputs. The system allows modifications to design parameters, toolpath generation, and manufacturing instructions while the manufacturing process is ongoing, transforming the static design phase into a dynamic, adaptable process that responds to real-time manufacturing considerations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary assessments of manufacturing feasibility, cost implications, and potential design optimizations before finalizing the manufacturing process. By evaluating multiple design alternatives and their manufacturing consequences in advance, the system prepares optimized design modifications that can be implemented during manufacturing to reduce costs while maintaining quality standards.
2Manufacturing precision
If advanced machinery and CAD/CAM systems are used, then manufacturing precision and quality are improved, but manufacturing costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional CAD/CAM system that serves multiple purposes: initial design creation, manufacturing process control, real-time design modification, cost analysis, and quality verification. By integrating these diverse functions into a single unified system, the patent reduces the need for multiple separate specialized systems, thereby lowering overall system complexity while maintaining high manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the design phase and manufacturing phase into an integrated workflow where design data flows directly into manufacturing instructions, and manufacturing feedback can trigger design modifications. This merging eliminates intermediate handoff steps, reduces data transfer complexity, and allows the system to optimize both design quality and manufacturing efficiency within a single unified process.
3Productivity
If manual work is reduced through increased machining, then productivity is improved, but quality becomes less dependent on technician skills
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements comprehensive feedback mechanisms throughout the manufacturing process, where actual manufacturing results, quality measurements, and deviation data are continuously fed back into the system. This feedback enables real-time adjustments to manufacturing parameters and design modifications, ensuring that high productivity through automated machining does not compromise quality consistency. The system learns from feedback to continuously improve both efficiency and reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a method for producing a dental restoration for preferably at least a part of at least one tooth. The method comprises the step of obtaining design data, wherein the design data includes acquired data and preliminary design data of the dental restoration. The method further comprises the step of modifying the preliminary design data before at least one manufacturing step to obtain modified design data and producing the dental restoration based on the modified design data.