Digital Dental Prosthesis Production

Digital dental technologies are helping to transform every aspect of the dental industry. The days of tedious, manual production of crowns, copings and bridges are fast disappearing. The latest technological advancements in scanning, CAD/CAM software and CNC milling now allow digital dental labs to deliver custom production with speed and precision. Better fit and aesthetics promote patient satisfaction, while labs enjoy enhanced productivity with faster turnaround time and optimal accuracy and repeatability. Going digital can not only make labs more efficient, but also more profitable.

Benefits

The DWX-50 dental milling machine from Roland DGA Corp. allows lab technicians to mill dental substrates including wax, PMMA and Zirconia, while selecting from a range of software and tools. Even a small, one-person lab can bring digital technology in-house and reduce production costs while expanding the business.

The dental milling machine is designed to streamline production and automate the milling process from start to finish. An automatic calibration routine helps to take the guesswork out of machine operation and delivers consistent results from one operator to the next. Integrated tool diagnostics verify that a tool was properly replaced in the magazine or if a tool was broken prior to completion of an operation. The magnetic chuck holds tools in place during collet tightening, protecting tools from damage or loss. A built-in LED light bar illuminates the work area for observing the milling process. The vacuum hose is front-mounted for easy access to clean the machine as needed. The mills do not require lubricants as part of their maintenance, which eliminates lubricant contamination and Zirconia dust.

The DWX-50 can be easily integrated into a dental laboratory’s existing production solution or can be part of a customized solution when combined with commercially available 3D scanners, ovens and compatible CAD/CAM software programs. Labs can choose components that best fit their budget while meeting their needs for output and capabilities. The DWX’s open architecture allows the system to work with virtually any dental CAD/CAM software and mill a range of industry-standard puck and block materials. By eliminating the need to rely on a single source for materials, a lab can better control production quality and costs.

Increasing Productivity

With a maximum operating speed of 3,600 mm/min and a maximum spindle speed of 30,000 rpm, the DWX-50 is designed to mill materials quickly with precision. Unattended operation of the mill is facilitated by the machine’s five-axis milling, five-station automatic toolchanger and integrated tool diagnostics that inform the operator of any problems. Unlike mills offering 3+1
or 4+1-axis milling, it is capable of automatically positioning the workpiece in realtime in all five axes. In addition, the system is highly scalable, with multicast capability that allows connection from one computer to as many as four machines to increase lab and operator productivity without adding the cost of additional software seats.

Features

Equipped for five-axis simultaneous machining, the dental milling machine has a five-station automatic toolchanger with a tool-length sensor that ensures proper tool placement and prevents mechanical failures, facilitating unattended operation. The machine is also equipped with a diagnostic notification system that alerts the operator of system errors and job completion, enabling operators to carry out the milling process with confidence.

A user-friendly Virtual Machine Panel (VPanel) allows the operation of machine diagnostics and the calibration and milling processes from a computer desktop. The VPanel also tracks overall machining time for maintenance purposes.

For added convenience and a cleaner working environment, the DWX-50 is equipped with an integrated air blower system that aids in milling difficult-to-machine materials, such as PMMA or Zirconia. The built-in dust collection tray can also be easily connected to any lab vacuum system, keeping the cutting area clean and free of debris.