Embedded Tool Magazine in Dental Milling Center
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional numerically controlled machining centers are not well-suited for dental technology due to the need for quick tool changes and efficient handling of individual workpieces with varied geometries and materials, as they require lengthy paths for tool and workpiece exchange, which can lead to contamination and complex machine designs.
Innovation Solution
A multi-axis drilling and milling center with a vertical spindle, featuring a changing unit with a gripping and transport device and an embedded pivoting table within the milling table, allowing for short and contamination-protected paths for tool and workpiece exchange, and a compact design with a three-axis gripping and transport device to facilitate quick and precise operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If tool and workpiece exchange paths are arranged outside the machining area, then the machine design is simpler, but the exchange paths become lengthy and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds the tool magazine and workpiece holder directly within the machining area, nesting these components inside the existing machine structure. This eliminates the need for external exchange paths while keeping the design compact and integrated, thereby reducing contamination risk without significantly increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent repositions components from external locations to internal locations within the machining area, effectively changing the spatial dimension of component arrangement. The tool magazine and workpiece holder are placed in three-dimensional space within the machining envelope, allowing short exchange paths without extending the machine footprint
2Object-affected harmful factors
If tool magazine and workpiece holder are arranged within the machining area, then exchange paths are short and contamination is reduced, but the machine design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tool magazine and workpiece holder into a single integrated assembly that is embedded within the machining area. This combination reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure, allowing short exchange paths without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The embedded arrangement serves multiple functions: it provides short exchange paths, protects against contamination, and integrates seamlessly with the machining area. This multi-functionality justifies the increased complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single design decision
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional machining centers are used for dental workpieces, then they can handle various geometries, but the lengthy exchange paths reduce productivity for individual workpieces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions multiple workpieces in the workpiece holder in advance, ready for sequential machining. The tool magazine is also pre-loaded with various tools required for different geometries. This preliminary preparation enables quick tool and workpiece changes without lengthy exchange paths, maintaining versatility while improving productivity for individual workpieces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic tool and workpiece exchange capabilities that allow rapid switching between different tools and workpieces. The embedded arrangement enables these exchanges to occur quickly within the machining area, adapting to varying dental workpiece geometries while maintaining high productivity through minimized exchange times
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a numerically controlled machining center, in particular a multi-axes dental boring and milling center, comprising a multi-axes boring and milling device which has a vertical spindle. The machining center has an exchanger unit (11) for blanks (13), a gripping and transporting device (12) for exchanging the blanks (13) or finished workpieces within a housing (18) surrounding the machining area (5), a milling table (14) with a recessed exchanger pivot table (15) for receiving the blanks (23) to be machined, and a tool magazine (16) which is embedded in the milling table (14).