Addressable Matrices/Cluster Blanks for Dental CAD/CAM Systems and Optimization Thereof
AssigneeIvoclar Vivadent AG
InventorsRobert A. Ganley, Dmitri G. Brodkin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A cluster mill blank includes a framework constructed to cooperate with a blank holder of an existing CAD/CAM system, and a plurality of sub-blanks attached to the framework forming an addressable matrix or cluster blank. CAD/CAM systems including such a framework, as well as associated methods are described.
Claims72
A cluster mill blank for fabrication of dental articles comprising:
- a framework constructed to cooperate with a blank holder of an existing CAD/CAM system;
- and
- a plurality of sub-blanks attached to the framework;
- wherein the sub-blanks are arranged in an addressable matrix, whereby the addressable matrix is designed from parameters received from a history of prior milling operations or prior business operations;
- wherein the sub-blanks have properties associated with parameters received from a history of prior milling operations or prior business operations.
A cluster mill blank for fabrication of dental articles comprising:
- a framework constructed to cooperate with a blank holder of an existing CAD/CAM system;
- and
- a plurality of sub-blanks attached to the framework;
- wherein the framework is in the shape of a disc comprising an outer ring and an inner core;
- wherein the outer ring holds a series of sub-blanks and the inner core holds a series of sub-blanks.
A cluster mill blank for fabrication of dental articles comprising:
- a framework constructed to cooperate with a blank holder of an existing CAD/CAM system;
- and
- a plurality of sub-blanks attached to the framework, wherein a portion of the sub-blanks are to be milled into dental articles;
- wherein the portion of the sub-blank to be milled is disposed completely outside the framework.
A cluster mill blank for fabrication of dental articles comprising:
- a framework constructed to cooperate with a blank holder of an existing CAD/CAM system having a plurality of openings for receiving sub-blanks;
- a plurality of sub-blanks disposed in the framework;
- wherein the framework comprises an upper segment and a lower segment;
- and
- a plurality of receptacles located in the plurality of openings for retaining the plurality of sub-blanks in the framework.
A CAD/CAM system for the fabrication of dental articles comprising:
- one or more milling machines;
- one or more blank holders in the one or more milling machines;
- a cluster milling blank comprising a framework constructed to cooperate with the one or more blank holders;
- a plurality of sub-blanks attached to the framework;
- and
- nesting software having at least a first order level of functionality, a second order level of functionality or a third order level of functionality.
A method of milling objects using a CAD/CAM system comprising:
- analyzing historic actual milling data, or analyzing data corresponding to milled objects, with the nesting software thereby obtaining a size and shape distribution for milling envelopes and their correlation with specific types of dental articles;
- selecting a batch of cases corresponding to objects to be milled by selecting their corresponding electronic data;
- optimizing the number, size, dimensions and/or shades of sub-blanks selected for milling the batch of cases;
- assembling the selected sub-blanks on to one or more frameworks utilizing one or more templates to produce one or more cluster blanks;
- and
- milling the objects into respective sub-blanks.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.