D4d Technologies, LLC

Basil A Haymann

Jorey A Chernett

Mark S Quadling

Henley S Quadling

Rod A Duncan

Joel Witt

Robert Duerr

Branko Bem

Jeffrey Theorin Prince

Rui Xu

Anthony Starfield

Howard Frysh

Kirk Ray

Dental laboratory system workstation

Digitizer machine for use in a dental laboratory system

Milling machine for use in a dental laboratory system

The improved milling machine makes use of individually controlled x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis carriages. These carriages provide positive and precise control of the position of the cutting tools and the blank to be cut. A tool changer allows the tools to be changed to accommodate other materials. A camera is used to detect wear on the tools.

Milling machine

The present invention relates generally to mill blank constructions to facilitate the manufacture of dental restorations. A given mill blank is formed in a shape (i.e. with a given geometry) that has been predetermined to reduce material waste when the mill blank is machined into the final part. A set of two or more blanks each having such characteristics comprise a smart blank 'library.' In one embodiment, a smart blank library includes a sufficient number of unique blanks such that, when the geometry of the designed restoration is known, the smart blank with a highest yield can be selected for use in milling the restoration. The 'yield' of a given smart blank represents the amount of material of the smart blank that is actually used in the final restoration. Automated processes for smart blank inventory management and smart blank selection are also described.

Mill blank library and computer-implemented method for efficient selection of blanks to satisfy given criteria

Growing community of inventors

Dallas, TX, United States of America

Basil A Haymann