METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATING AN OPERATING STATE OF A DENTAL MILLING MACHINE
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A milling machine for milling a dental blank, comprising:
- a chamber within which at least one tool is movable during an operation on the dental blank;
a cover being at least partially transparent and adapted to be closed during the operation; and
a light source supported in proximity with the cover and that is illuminated during at least a portion of the operation to communicate an operating status by having light from the light source illuminate at least part of the chamber.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved milling machine makes use of individually controlled x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis carriages. These carriages provide positive and precise control of the position of the cutting tools and the blank to be cut. The tools are located in spindles that are moved in the x-axis. A work piece or blank is manipulated in the y-axis and the z-axis. The tools are offset in the x-axis. Lights on a work space door are used to signal the condition of the mill machine and the milling operation. A tool changer allows the tools to be changed to accommodate other materials. A camera or other sensor is used to detect the location and wear on the tools.
34 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A milling machine for milling a dental blank, comprising:
-
a chamber within which at least one tool is movable during an operation on the dental blank;
a cover being at least partially transparent and adapted to be closed during the operation; and
a light source supported in proximity with the cover and that is illuminated during at least a portion of the operation to communicate an operating status by having light from the light source illuminate at least part of the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A milling machine for milling a dental blank, comprising:
-
a chamber within which at least one tool is movable during an operation on the dental blank;
a cover being at least partially transparent and adapted to be closed during the operation; and
a set of light emitting devices supported adjacent an outer edge of the chamber and in proximity with the cover and that are illuminated during the operation to communicate at least one operating status at least in part by having the cover scatter light from the set of light emitting devices to thereby illuminate the chamber.
-
-
13. A method of communicating progress of a milling job associated with a dental blank, the method operative in a milling machine having a milling chamber, and a cover being at least partially transparent and adapted to be closed over the milling chamber, comprising:
-
initiating the milling job; and
during the milling job, illuminating at least a portion of the milling chamber to communicate the progress of the milling job. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A milling machine for milling a dental blank, comprising:
-
a chamber within which at least one tool is movable during an operation on the dental blank;
a cover being at least partially transparent and adapted to be closed during the operation; and
a light source supported in proximity with the cover and that is illuminated in a first color during a first operating state, and that is illuminated in a second color during a second operating state, wherein the light source illuminates at least part of the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (20)
-
Specification