Wax Printing Workflow Advantages
Inside Dental Technology delivers updates on digital workflows, materials, lab techniques, and innovation in dental technology through expert articles and videos.
January 1, 2014
Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2014
Page(s):
As an emerging industry, 3D Printing has been getting a lot of consumer attention. Many dental laboratory professionals are taking note of this new technology and are either purchasing or considering incorporating 3D Printers into their workflow at an ever-increasing rate.
“It’s here. The rate of 3D wax printing adoption we were expecting a few years ago has really started to take off in 2013,” says Jim Westberg, Vice President, Dental Markets for Solidscape, Inc. “Every day we hear similar stories from dental lab owners—concerns about the future health of their labs, finding enough trained technicians, increased competition and the growing adoption of digital workflows,” Westberg elaborates. “Plus they see the increase of intra-oral scanning by dentists making significant inroads over the next few years. All of these points to a growing trend of digital workflows using 3D wax printers.”
A recent survey conducted by the NADL showed increase ownership in CAD/CAM workflows and standalone scanners, but also indicated that many labs outsource to centralized facilities. Cost is clearly a prime factor in outsourcing or purchasing decisions, and a $40,000 price for wax printers may be considered prohibitive. However, the latest technology in 3D wax printing has driven the price down to the mid-$20’s while increasing the performance and providing a very cost-efficient workflow.
Solidscape’s 3Z Lab wax printer is a prime example of affordable workflow efficiency that doesn’t compromise on superior margin line adaption and offers better overall anatomy compared to milling. Optimized for the batch processing of dental wax-ups, the 3Z Lab is an ideal solution for laboratories looking to increase their workflow without hiring more staff. Small and medium laboratories can often manage a smaller day run and larger overnight run. Using the 3Z Lab allows for quicker turnaround while essentially adding another shift without the additional headcount.
The 3Z Lab has a very small desktop footprint, measuring 21.4”W x 18”D x 16”H, and offers users intuitive one-touch ease of use with an icon-driven LCD screen. The 3Z Lab’s print resolution is 5000 x 5000 dpi (X & Y axis), 8000 dpi (Z axis), and includes custom configurations for crowns, bridges, copings, IPS e.max®, and partials. In addition, the printer uses SCP® Smooth Curvature Printing for superior surface finish.
The model material used in the 3Z Lab has a clean burnout formula that features 100% castability with no material shrinkage, and its automated generation of sacrificial material dissolves away for labor saving, hands-free operation. The crowns, copings, and bridges produced by this printer can be directly invested, pressed, or cast for the highest precision dental restorations.The 3Z Lab also offers users fail-safe recovery and up to 72 hours unattended operation.
Increases productivity without additional overhead
Dependable accuracy and superior occlusal morphology
Better patient fit, comfort, and overall health outcomes
For more information, contact:
Solidscape, Inc.
P 603-429-9700
W www.solid-scape.com
Disclaimer: The preceding material was provided by the manufacturer. The statements and opinions contained therein are solely those of the manufacturer and not of the editors, publisher, or the Editorial Board of Inside Dental Technology.
