Segmented Build Platform for Orthodontic Appliance Manufacturing
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for manufacturing orthodontic appliances in parallel face challenges in handling and post-processing, such as laser marking or CNC machining, which are difficult and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
The use of an additive printing machine with a build platform and a plurality of plates, each with a unique machine-readable identifier, allows for precise and efficient manufacturing and handling of multiple orthodontic appliances in parallel. The plates are detachably fixed to the build platform, enabling accurate positioning and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple orthodontic appliances are manufactured in parallel on a single build platform, then productivity increases, but handling and post-processing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The build platform is segmented into multiple detachable plates, each capable of holding and supporting individual orthodontic appliances during manufacturing and post-processing. This segmentation allows appliances to be processed in parallel while maintaining individual accessibility through plate detachment.
Solution Approach 2:
Detachable plates serve as intermediary carriers between the build platform and individual orthodontic appliances. These plates facilitate easy handling, positioning, and transfer of appliances during post-processing steps without requiring direct manipulation of the appliances themselves.
2Productivity
If multiple orthodontic appliances are manufactured in parallel, then productivity increases, but processing time for post-processing steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the build platform into multiple detachable plates, post-processing can be performed on individual plates or groups of plates simultaneously rather than sequentially processing all appliances together, thereby reducing total post-processing time despite increased parallel production.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable plate system enables dynamic reconfiguration of the manufacturing setup, allowing flexible grouping and processing of plates according to production volume and post-processing capacity, optimizing the balance between parallel manufacturing and efficient post-processing.
3Manufacturing precision
If orthodontic appliances are precisely positioned on the build platform, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is segmented into modular plates with integrated positioning features, distributing the complexity across multiple simple, identical components rather than requiring a single complex positioning mechanism for the entire build platform.
Solution Approach 2:
Each detachable plate serves multiple functions: it acts as a support structure during printing, provides precise positioning features for post-processing, enables easy detachment for handling, and serves as a carrier for machine-readable identifiers, reducing the need for separate specialized components.
4Loss of information
If machine-readable identifiers are added to each plate, then tracking and identification capability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The machine-readable identifiers on each plate serve multiple purposes: tracking the plate through the manufacturing process, storing information about the orthodontic appliance being manufactured, and enabling automated identification during post-processing steps, thereby providing significant functional value relative to the simple addition of the identifier itself.
Data Source
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Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for manufacturing a plurality of orthodontic appliances (1) in parallel, comprising a build platform (4) and a plurality of plates (6) each configured for teeth model printing or orthodontic appliance (1) printing, respectively, whereby each plate (6) comprises a unique machine-readable identifier (13) and each plate (6) is detachable and precisely fixable to the build platform (4).