Methods, Systems, and Devices for Monitoring Tools in a Dental Milling Machine
First Claim
1. A dental milling system comprising:
- a first milling tool for milling a dental prosthetic;
a first spindle operable to receive and fixedly engage the first milling tool, the first spindle further operable to rotate the first milling tool when the first milling tool is received by and fixedly engaged with the first spindle;
a first accelerometer positioned adjacent to the first spindle and operable to detect vibrations associated with rotation of the first milling tool; and
a processor in communication with the first accelerometer to receive data sets representative of the vibrations detected by the first accelerometer, the processor operable to process the data sets to identify changes in one or more harmonics of the detected vibrations indicative of a break of the first milling tool.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods, systems, and devices for monitoring tool breakage and wear in a dental milling machine are provided. In one embodiment, a dental milling system includes a milling tool for milling a dental prosthetic and a spindle operable to receive, fixedly engage, and rotate the milling tool. A first accelerometer is positioned adjacent to the spindle and is operable to detect vibrations associated with rotation of the milling tool. A processor is in communication with the first accelerometer to receive data sets representative of the vibrations detected by the first accelerometer. The processor processes the data sets to identify changes in one or more harmonics of the detected vibrations indicative of a break of the milling tool.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A dental milling system comprising:
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a first milling tool for milling a dental prosthetic; a first spindle operable to receive and fixedly engage the first milling tool, the first spindle further operable to rotate the first milling tool when the first milling tool is received by and fixedly engaged with the first spindle; a first accelerometer positioned adjacent to the first spindle and operable to detect vibrations associated with rotation of the first milling tool; and a processor in communication with the first accelerometer to receive data sets representative of the vibrations detected by the first accelerometer, the processor operable to process the data sets to identify changes in one or more harmonics of the detected vibrations indicative of a break of the first milling tool. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of detecting a tool break in a dental milling machine, comprising:
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monitoring vibrations associated with rotation of a first milling tool in an unloaded state; monitoring vibrations associated with rotation of the first milling tool in a first loaded state; identifying one or more harmonics associated with rotation of the first milling tool in the first loaded state; and monitoring vibrations associated with rotation of the first milling tool for the one or more identified first-loaded-state harmonics during a milling process to detect a break of the first milling tool. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of milling a dental prosthetic, comprising:
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detecting vibrations of a milling machine during a milling process with an accelerometer, the milling machine comprising a spindle for rotating a first tool engaged with the spindle; and analyzing data sets representative of the detected vibrations for changes in amplitude of one or more harmonics of the first tool rotation indicative of tool breakage.
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21. The method of claim 21, wherein upon detection of a change in amplitude indicative of tool breakage the method further comprises:
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stopping the milling process; replacing the first tool with a second tool; and resuming the milling process. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of detecting tool wear in a dental milling machine, comprising:
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detecting vibrations of a milling machine during a milling process with an accelerometer, the milling machine comprising a spindle for rotating a first tool engaged with the spindle; and analyzing data sets representative of the detected vibrations for changes in amplitude of one or more harmonics of the first tool rotation indicative of tool wear. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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Specification