Machining apparatus and method of making endodontic instruments
AssigneeD&S Dental, LLC
InventorsDerek E. Heath, Brian J. Little, Steve A. Treadway
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A machining apparatus and method for fabricating endodontic instruments adapted for use in performing root canal procedures is disclosed. The machining apparatus includes computer numerical control (CNC) machining that automates much of the fabrication process. The disclosed machining apparatus and method is programmable to efficiently produce varying configurations of endodontic instruments on the same machining apparatus.
Claims9
A machining apparatus for fabricating endodontic instruments having a plurality of instrument configurations comprising:
- a computer interface for storing operating parameters of a plurality of cutting configurations, each cutting configuration corresponding to at least one of the plurality of instrument configurations, for selecting one of the plurality of cutting configurations, and for generating control signals based upon the stored operating parameters of the cutting configuration selected;
- a grinding wheel for grinding the endodontic instruments;
- and a positioning mechanism for loading one of the endodontic instruments, for receiving the control signals, and for controlling a translational motion and a rotational velocity of the loaded endodontic instrument as the loaded endodontic instrument is moved past the grinding wheel at least in part in response to the control signals;
- wherein the positioning mechanism further comprises:
- a linear driving mechanism for providing the translational motion of the positioning mechanism along a horizontal axis;
- a lift mechanism for providing the translational motion of the positioning mechanism along a vertical axis;
- and a feed block having a spindle for supporting the loaded endodontic instrument and for providing the rotational velocity of the loaded endodontic instrument.
A machining apparatus for fabricating endodontic instruments having a plurality of instrument configurations comprising:
- a computer interface for storing operating parameters of a plurality of cutting configurations, each cutting configuration corresponding to at least one of the plurality of instrument configurations, for selecting one of the plurality of cutting configurations, and for generating control signals based upon the stored operating parameters of the cutting configuration selected;
- a grinding wheel disposed on a fixed spindle so that the grinding wheel is in a fixed position operable for fabricating each of the plurality of instrument configurations;
- and a positioning mechanism for receiving the control signals and for controlling a translational motion and a rotational velocity of the positioning mechanism, the positioning mechanism including:
- a linear driving mechanism for providing the translational motion of the positioning mechanism along a horizontal axis based at least in part on the control signals, a lift mechanism for providing the translational motion of the positioning mechanism along a vertical axis at least in part on the control signals, and a feed block having a spindle for loading an endodontic instrument to be fabricated and for providing a rotational velocity of the loaded endodontic instrument based at least in part on the control signals, the feed block for moving the loaded endodontic instrument past the grinding wheel based at least in part on the cutting configuration selected;
- wherein the stored operating parameters of the plurality of cutting configurations include tapering parameters, the positioning mechanism for moving the loaded endodontic instrument past the grinding wheel for tapering the loaded endodontic instrument according to the tapering parameters prior to moving the loaded endodontic instrument past the grinding wheel for fluting the loaded endodontic instrument.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.