Artificial Tooth Molding Apparatus Using Digital Light Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional artificial tooth molding techniques are labor-intensive and time-consuming, especially when creating complex 3D shapes, leading to low productivity and increased costs due to the need for manual carving and the presence of blind spots during processing.
Innovation Solution
An artificial tooth molding apparatus that uses a calculation control unit to convert 3D graphic data into continuous tomographic data, an elevation means to immerse a formation stage in a ceramic mixture solution, and ultraviolet curing, along with a filter part to control UV irradiation, allowing for precise molding without the need for extensive carving.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional carving processing is used to mold artificial teeth, then manual control and flexibility are maintained, but processing time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical carving system with a digital light processing system. A digital light source projects light patterns onto the ceramic material layer by layer, enabling automated formation of artificial teeth without manual carving tools. This substitution eliminates the need for skilled manual operation while dramatically increasing production speed and consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental processing parameters from mechanical force-based carving to light-based photopolymerization. By controlling light exposure duration, intensity, and pattern through digital means, the system achieves precise control over the forming process, enabling rapid prototyping and mass production of artificial teeth with complex geometries.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rotating table processing is used for 3D carving, then various angles can be accessed, but blind spots remain and processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the workpiece to access different angles in the horizontal plane, the patent utilizes the vertical dimension by projecting light from above at various angles. The digital light source can illuminate the ceramic material from multiple directions sequentially, ensuring complete coverage of complex 3D geometries without requiring physical rotation of the forming stage or introduction of rotating mechanical components.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual carving is performed for detailed tooth shaping, then precision can be achieved, but labor intensity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses digital 3D models as precise templates for tooth formation. The desired tooth geometry is captured as digital data, which is then converted into light patterns that directly reproduce the model shape in the ceramic material. This digital copying process eliminates manual measurement and carving while maintaining or improving precision, and significantly reduces labor requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces the need for post-processing carving, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and lowering costs by enabling precise, automated molding of artificial teeth with improved productivity.
Implementation Method 1
a tank containing a gel-type ceramic mixture solution in which ceramic powder and a UV-ray curing agent are mixed; an irradiation means for irradiating the formation stage with UV-rays
Data Source
AI summary
An artificial tooth molding apparatus comprises: a calculation control unit (10) configured to calculate and convert 3D graphic data (D_g) required for a process of molding an artificial tooth into continuous tomographic data (D_1) and to output the tomographic data (D_1); an elevation means (20) configured to form the artificial tooth (T); a tank (30) containing the ceramic mixture solution (S) provided for immersion of the formation stage (22) of the elevation means (20); an irradiation means (40) configured to irradiate the formation stage (22) with ultraviolet rays; and a filter part (50) configured to filter an ultraviolet irradiation area irradiated with the ultraviolet rays.