An open, dental CAD/CAM solution

"An open dental CAD/CAM system allows users to work with neutral data formats such as STL, choose the most appropriate CNC machine, work from scanned data and machine a wide range of materials. It provides fertile ground for new ideas, and often produces a cost-saving. On the other hand, closed systems make it impossible for users to deviate from the predefined process and innovate..."

 

Manuela Giuliano, FDZ Germany, WORKNC DENTAL User.

 

 

Milling dental prostheses is all part of a design and manufacturing process that has four basic steps:

 

First you start with a scanner, either scanning an impression or acquiring the scan directly from the patient. This creates a digital file of the current state of the patient at that point in time.

 

Second, Computer Aided Design (CAD) software is used on the scanned file. This CAD software clips the scan data, massages data, and is used to generate the 3D shape of the final part that is going to be milled.

 

Third, Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software is used to generate the code that will run the milling machine. It uses the 3D digital model from the CAD system to calculate toolpaths that will then be loaded into milling machine.

 

Fourth, the toolpaths from the CAM system are run on the physical milling machine, and when completed, you will have your finished or complete prostheses.

 

Dental CAM software is required to provide the information necessary to run the milling machine. This CAM software must be reliable so that it mills parts completely every time, and does so in a safe manner. CAM software should not cause excessive wear on the tooling, and it should also consider the tool holder and spindle along with the machine design in its calculations, so that inadvertent crashes do not occur.

 

 

Closed systems are usually a complete bundle; of scanner, CAD software, CAM software and milling machine. This does not allow the end user to pick and choose different options for their design and manufacturing operations. Closed systems often have their own proprietary file systems, not allowing you to use them with other equipment. Closed systems also often require sourcing material from one provider, versus from the open market of providers.

 

Open systems are components that can use the same neutral file formats, such as STL, to design and manufacture your dental prosthesis.

 

Open systems provide you with the following benefits:

 

WORKNC DENTAL is compatible with a wide range of dental milling machines including: