Segmented Workpiece Unit for Material Waste Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In machining processes for workpieces like ceramics and metals, existing methods often result in significant waste as the workpieces must be produced in a predetermined size, even when only a small quantity is needed, leading to inefficient use of materials.

Innovation Solution

A workpiece unit is created by dividing it into sections with different compositions and sizes, allowing for adjustable sections to match demand, and a holding member is used to securely attach these sections to a processing apparatus, reducing waste and increasing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the workpiece body is produced in a predetermined size to fit the processing apparatus, then the workpiece can be processed by the apparatus, but most of the workpiece body is wasted when only a small quantity is needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with processing apparatusVSAvoidwaste of workpiece material
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The workpiece body is divided into multiple sections with different compositions and sizes. Each section can be independently selected and processed based on demand, allowing only the necessary portions to be used while minimizing waste of the remaining material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the workpiece body is produced in a large size to accommodate various compositions, then different compositions can be processed from one workpiece, but the size required for processing is fixed regardless of demand

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevariety of compositionsVSAvoidexcessive material usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The workpiece body is segmented into multiple sections, each with different compositions. This allows selective use of only the required composition and quantity for each processing task, providing adaptability while avoiding excessive material usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the workpiece body have different compositions tailored to specific requirements. This allows each local region to have the optimal properties for its intended use, rather than requiring the entire workpiece to be oversized to accommodate all possible variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If multiple dental prostheses are produced from one workpiece body, then production efficiency increases, but the workpiece body must still be produced in predetermined size causing waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of prostheses per workpieceVSAvoidunused workpiece material
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The workpiece body is divided into multiple sections that can be independently processed. This segmentation enables efficient production of multiple prostheses from different sections while allowing unused sections to be preserved for future use, thereby reducing overall material waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4049616B1Workpiece unit and method for producing same
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 KURARAY NORITAKE DENTAL
  • EP4049616B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4049616B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4049616B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A workpiece unit (10) and a method for producing same are provided to make it possible to increase utilization efficiency of a workpiece body (1). The workpiece unit (10) has the workpiece body (1) comprising a plurality of sections (11). The sections (11) divide processing surface of the workpiece body (1).