Dental Prosthesis Tool-Life Control With Replacement Obstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dental prosthesis processing devices face challenges in accurately determining when to replace processing tools, leading to user errors and increased complexity and cost due to manual or automatic replacement methods.
Innovation Solution
A dental prosthesis processing device with a controller that determines the service life of processing tools and uses a spatially movable spindle and obstruction mechanism to prevent unnecessary replacements, ensuring only tools with expired service life are replaced.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual replacement method is used, then device complexity is reduced, but user errors increase and management becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically monitoring processing tool service life and controlling replacement timing. The controller tracks usage data and autonomously determines when tools need replacement, eliminating the need for manual tracking while preventing user errors through automated decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring processing tool usage and providing real-time information to the controller. This feedback loop allows the system to automatically determine when service life is exhausted and control the replacement process, reducing user errors while maintaining simplicity.
2Reliability
If automatic replacement device is used, then user errors are reduced, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves automatic replacement through self-service mechanisms where the controller autonomously monitors tool condition, determines replacement timing, and executes the replacement process. This eliminates the need for complex external automation systems while reducing user errors through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the monitoring, decision-making, and replacement control functions into a single integrated controller. By combining these functions, the system achieves automatic replacement without requiring separate complex electric devices and control systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If processing tools are replaced frequently, then processing accuracy is maintained, but tool cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by monitoring tool service life in advance and alerting users before the tool becomes ineffective. This allows users to replace tools at the optimal moment, maintaining processing accuracy while avoiding premature replacement that would waste tool life and increase costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes parameter changes by tracking usage data such as number of uses and usage time to determine service life status. By monitoring these parameters and triggering replacement only when thresholds are exceeded, the system maintains processing accuracy while optimizing tool utilization to reduce overall tool costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A dental prosthesis processing device that processes a workpiece made of ceramic or the like into a prosthesis of a desired shape includes one or more processing tools for processing a workpiece into a prosthesis of a predetermined shape; a spindle on which the processing tools are replaceably mounted and that is spatially movable in position; a processing tool replacement obstruction part located in close proximity to the processing tools and/or the spindle and configured to obstruct the processing tools from being replaced; and a controller configured to determine whether to replace the processing tools. Depending on whether the replacement is necessary or not, the controller allows or prevents the processing tools from being replaced by bringing the processing tools and/or the spindle and the processing tool replacement obstruction part away from or close to each other.