When it comes to dental manufacturing, it’s easy to bite off more than one can chew. It’s a sector in which tough-to-machine materials meet microscopic, one-of-a-kind specifications and stringent, medical-grade requirements—presenting a seriously daunting machining task.
Thankfully, many dental manufacturers are now armed to the teeth with new-and- improved machining technologies that have made huge strides in the industry. The Ultrasonic line from DMG / Mori Seiki USA is one such advancement. Ideal for the watch and jewelry industries, the Ultrasonic line can handle plastics, demanding metals, glass- ceramics and zirconium, making it extremely versatile and efficient.
Ultrasonic technology eliminates micro- fractures—a common problem with machining these types of brittle materials. It works by transferring ultrasonic frequency via induction from the spindle to the tool holder without physical contact. This leads to additional, oscillating movement on the tool, which interacts with the actual rotation and leads to a significant reduction of process forces.
Drilling down to the benefits
These ultrasonic technology features tipped the scales for David Recigno, head of Recigno Laboratories—one of the largest producers in the country of crowns, bridges and other dental components.
Recigno says he compared other similar machines and felt that none compared to the Ultrasonic 20 in terms of technology, efficiency and versatility. He also appreciates the machine’s fast linear drives, five-axis simultaneous machining and automation capabilities—all of which have contributed to greater productivity and expanded product lines. The new biocrown and the biorestoration series—which the company produces exclusively on the Ultrasonic machine—have allowed Recigno to enter a higher-end market, since dental labs trust the technology of the Ultrasonic 20 system.
Recigno says the company has also considered the Ultrasonic 10 as a future investment, thanks to its compact footprint and similar machining capabilities.
According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, 69 percent of adults ages 35 to 44 have lost at least one permanent tooth. The demand for more sophisticated crowns, bridges, implants and other dental interventions continues to grow as these procedures become more accessible for a wider slice of the population. To put it simply, more cost-efficient manufacturing technologies and ballooning demand make this a market manufacturers can really sink their teeth into—and specialized machine tools make all the difference.
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When it comes to dental manufacturing, it's easy to bite off more than one can chew. It's a sector in which tough-to-machine materials meet microscopic, one-of-a-kind specifications and stringent, medical-grade requirements—presenting a seriously daunting machining task. Read more»
Ultrasonic technology eliminates micro- fractures—a common problem with machining these types of brittle materials. It works by transferring ultrasonic frequency via induction from the spindle to the tool holder without physical contact. This leads to additional, oscillating movement on the tool, which interacts with the actual rotation and leads to a significant reduction of process forces.
