HYBRID PROCESS CHAIN
FOR HIGH-PRECISION DENTAL PROSTHESES
LABVISION, from Bucharest, Romania, was launched in 2014 to consolidate the distribution of intra-oral and lab scanners and modeling software with the manufacture of high-quality dental prostheses and implants. The 15-strong team combines extensive expertize and many years of experience in clinical dentistry technology with professional skills in modern CAD / CAM manufacturing processes. LABVISION puts its trust in DMG MORI for innovative solutions. The process includes additive manufacturing using the powder bed method in six LASERTEC 12 SLMs and three compact machining centers – one MILLTAP 700 and two new DMP 70s.
“CAD / CAM manufacturing solutions have become increasingly important in dental technology over the past few years,” explains Dr. Radu Ignatescu, Managing Director of LABVISION. This applies to small systems as well as larger-scale ones. “Industrial manufacturing of dental prostheses and individual components for implants is growing faster than ever before.” LABVISION has positioned itself as a full-service supplier. LABVISION covers the entire range of services from scanners and the associated CAD design software through to the manufacture of advanced, high-accuracy frameworks.
As a full-service supplier, LABVISION has all modern technologies at its disposal including compact machining centers from DMG MORI.
The machine fleet has recently been expanded by six LASERTEC 12 SLMs for powder-bed additive manufacturing of metal workpieces. “This allows us to offer an integrated process that enables high-precision machining of complex geometries in cobalt chrome or titanium,” says Dr. Radu Ignatescu, explaining the investment.
LASERTEC 12 SLM: Closed powder circuit and focal spot diameter of 35 μm
One reason for LABVISION installing the LASERTEC 12 SLMs is their past experience with DMG MORI. “We have been using the MILLTAP 700 since 2018 and are very satisfied with the quality and service from DMG MORI,” says Dr. Radu Ignatescu. They were also impressed with the performance and build of the LASERTEC 12 SLM: “The closed powder circuit is a big advantage, as it provides us with excellent and consistent control of the respective powders.” Moreover, the precision of the powder bed machine in combination with the large build volume were also decisive factors. “A focal spot diameter of 35 μm and a build volume of 125 × 125 × 200 mm are unique in this class of machine.” Overall it is possible to achieve a workpiece density of 99.8 percent in cobalt chrome. “This corresponds to almost the reference value in conventional processes.” The saving in materials is also an advantage compared to machining.
DMP 70: Dynamic precision machining of advanced materials
The recent installation of two DMP 70s means that LABVISION has now completed its additive manufacturing process. According to Dr. Radu Ignatescu: “This is a hybrid process. We build up the complex dental products in the powder bed as a first step, followed by precise post-processing on the DMP 70.” A comprehensive cooling system and high-precision machine components guarantee precision. For LABVISION, the high dynamics with rapid traverses of 60 m/min, 2 g acceleration and chip-to-chip times of 1.5 seconds also make the DMP 70 unbeatable when it comes to machining of dental products, states Dr. Radu Ignatescu: “We use it to produce cobalt chrome, titanium and also zirconia workpieces from the commonly used discs.”
Single-part production to within microns
With the help of DMG MORI technologies, LABVISION manufactures the entire range of dental implants, prosthetics and dental fittings. “Each part is unique, as it is specifically produced for a patient,” Dr. Radu Ignatescu emphasizes. The complexity of these products is just as challenging as the accuracy requirements. “The tolerances are up to 4 μm, with a surface finish of Ra 0.1.”
Dr. Radu Ignatescu believes the increasingly digitized processes in dental technology offer great potential for disruptive innovations. 65 percent of dentists are planning to purchase an intraoral scanner within the next two years. “This will continue to accelerate processes and means we will also be challenged in production to continuously optimize our processes – as is currently the case with the LASERTEC 12 SLM.”
LASERTEC 12 SLM
35 μm FOCAL SPOT DIAMETER
- Additive manufacturing in a powder bed with build volumes up to 125 × 125 × 200 mm
- 35 μm focal spot diameter for high precision
- rePLUG: The powder module for maximum operational security and fast material change of < 2 hours
- CELOS: Integrated software solution from CAM programming through to machine control
- 100 % open system: Customized adaptation of all machine settings and process parameters
LABVISION
FACTS
- Founded in Bucharest in 2014
- 15-strong team with many years of experience in dental technology
- Manufacturing of high-quality dental prostheses for dentists and dental laboratories
LABVISION SRL
Aleea Alexandru nr.21, sector 1
Bucuresti, Romania
www.labvision-dental.com