Vacuum Fixture Plate for Dental Model Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental appliance manufacturing systems face challenges in securely retaining dental models during the thermoforming and cutting processes, leading to inaccuracies and inefficiencies in producing dental aligners.
Innovation Solution
A fixture plate with a base and contact face, featuring channels and a bore for vacuum suction, is used to securely hold dental models with thermoformed material, allowing for precise interaction with manufacturing system components and enabling the application of suction force to retain the model and excess material, facilitating accurate trimming and production of dental aligners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a dental model is not securely retained during thermoforming and cutting processes, then the manufacturing process can be simpler, but the manufacturing precision and accuracy of dental aligner production deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies vacuum suction through pneumatic channels in the fixture plate to securely retain the dental model during manufacturing processes. The vacuum system creates negative pressure that holds the model firmly against the fixture plate, enabling precise cutting and thermoforming operations without complex mechanical clamping mechanisms.
2Reliability
If vacuum suction is applied to retain the dental model, then the model retention is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional vacuum system components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vacuum system components directly into the fixture plate structure. The pneumatic channels are integrated within the fixture plate itself, and the vacuum hose connects directly to the fixture plate rather than requiring separate vacuum chambers or complex mounting arrangements. This integration reduces overall system complexity while maintaining reliable model retention.
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
The fixture plate ensures secure retention of dental models and excess material, enabling precise cutting and trimming processes, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of dental aligner production.
Implementation Method 1
A portion of the bore located along the bottom opening may be configured to couple with a hose of a vacuum system configured to generate a suction force at the contact face via the one or more channels
Data Source
AI summary
A fixture plate includes a base having a contact face configured to support a dental model having a material formed thereon. The material includes an aligner material portion and an excess material portion. The fixture plate includes one or more channels formed in the contact face. The fixture plate includes a bore extending through the base from a bottom opening to the contact face. A portion of the bore located along the bottom opening is configured to couple with a hose of a vacuum system configured to generate a suction force at the contact face via the one or more channels. The suction force is applied to the dental model and at least part of the excess material portion to retain the dental model and the material formed thereon against the contact face.