# US 2014/0189991 A1 · Milling machine having six (6) axis motion system

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2014/0189991 A1
- Document ID: US20140189991A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/048,472
- Filed: 2013-10-08
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2012-10-08
- Assignees: D4D Technologies, LLC
- Applicants: D4D Technologies, LLC
- Inventors: Rod Duncan; Mark Quadling; Henley Quadling; Chris Partee; Adam Tibbitts
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140189991A1

## CPC

- A61C 13/0004: {Computer-assisted sizing or machining of dental prostheses}
- A61C 13/0003: {Making bridge-work, inlays, implants or the like}
- A61C 13/0006: {Production methods}
- A61C 13/0022: {Blanks or green, unfinished dental restoration parts}
- B23C 1/045: {Opposed - spindle machines}
- B23Q 1/4871: {followed parallelly by a single sliding pair}
- B23Q 39/026: {simultaneous working of toolheads}
- B24B 27/0076: {grinding machines comprising two or more grinding tools}
- B23C 3/00: Milling particular work; Special milling operations; Machines therefor (milling gear-teeth B23F, {heat assisted machining B23P25/00})
- B23Q 3/15706: {a single tool being inserted in a spindle directly from a storage device, i.e. without using transfer devices (B23Q3/15786 takes precedence)}
- Y10T 29/5176: including machining means
- Y10T 409/303752: Process
- Y10T 409/307168: Plural cutters
- Y10T 409/307896: with work holder or guide
- Y10T 409/308232: and angular adjustment
- Y10T 483/174: Abrading wheel
- Y10T 483/1793: Spindle comprises tool changer
- Y10T 483/1873: Indexing matrix
- A61C: DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE (non-driven toothbrushes A46B; {tongue scrapers A61B17/24;} preparations for dentistry A61K6/00; preparations for cleaning the teeth or mouth A61K8/00, A61Q11/00)
- B23C: MILLING (broaching B23D; broach-milling in making gears B23F; arrangement for copying or controlling B23Q)
- B23Q: DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING (tools of the kind used in lathes or boring machines B23B27/00); MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT
- B24B: MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING (grinding of gear teeth B23F, of screw-threads B23G1/36; by electro-erosion B23H; abrasive or related blasting B24C; tools for grinding, buffing or sharpening B24D; polishing compositions C09G1/00; abrasives C09K3/14; electrolytic etching or polishing C25F3/00; grinding arrangements for use on assembled railway tracks E01B31/17); DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A milling machine for a dental item comprises a six (6) axis motion system. A workpiece is fixed in space. Each of a pair of opposed tool spindles operates in 3 DOF, with an x-axis (laterally, left or right) being along an axis of each working tool, a rotational (theta (θ)) axis (rotationally in or out), and a z-axis (up or down). On each respective side of the block, the x-axis rides on a θ-axis, and the θ-axis rides on the z-axis. Each z-axis supports a first carriage adapted to move up or down along the z-axis, and the first carriage supports a motor having a shaft. The shaft's rotational axis is the θ-axis. A second carriage is mounted on the shaft for rotation about the θ-axis. A spindle assembly is mounted on the second carriage for lateral (left or right) movement along the x-axis carried by the θ-axis.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A milling machine, comprising:
structure that fixes a workpiece in a predetermined working position; and
opposed spindle assemblies each operating in three (3) degrees of freedom (3 DOF) relative to the workpiece, the degrees of freedom being a lateral x-axis, a rotational θ-axis, and a z-axis perpendicular to the x-axis, wherein the x-axis is positioned on the θ-axis, and the θ-axis is positioned on the z-axis.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The milling machine as described in claim 1, further including a grinding tool supported in each spindle assembly.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The milling machine as described in claim 2, further including a direct drive motor to provide lateral movement of a respective spindle assembly together with its associated grinding tool along the x-axis.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The milling machine as described in claim 2, further including a direct drive motor to provide rotational movement of a respective spindle assembly together with its associated grinding tool about the θ-axis.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The milling machine as described in claim 2, further including a servo motor to provide up or down movement of a respective spindle assembly together with its associated grinding tool along the z-axis.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The milling machine as described in claim 1 further including a tool changer mechanism.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The milling machine as described in claim 6 wherein the tool changer mechanism is adapted to be stored in a first position, and rotated from the first position to a second position adjacent the opposed spindle assemblies to facilitate a tool change operation.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The milling machine as described in claim 1 wherein the workpiece is a dental item.

### Claim 9

A motion system for a milling machine, comprising:
a base positioned vertically;
a first carriage adapted to move up or down along a first axis parallel to a plane of the base, the first carriage supporting a motor having a shaft with a second axis;
a second carriage mounted on the shaft for rotation about the second axis; and
a spindle assembly mounted on the second carriage and further adapted for lateral movement along a third axis carried by the second axis, the third axis being perpendicular to the first axis.

### Claim 10

A method of milling a workpiece, comprising:
fixing the workpiece in a predetermined working position; and
positioning opposed spindle assemblies each operating in three (3) degrees of freedom (3 DOF) relative to the workpiece, the degrees of freedom being a lateral x-axis, a rotational θ-axis, and a z-axis perpendicular to the x-axis, wherein the x-axis is positioned on the θ-axis, and the θ-axis is positioned on the z-axis;
grinding the workpiece using grinding tools carried by the opposed spindle assemblies.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method as described in claim 10 wherein the workpiece is a dental item.