The importance of cutting geometry in CAD/CAM milling machines.

No matter how precise the CAD/CAM milling cutters used in dental milling machines may be – some details that are easily overlooked in daily use have significant effects on the manufacture of dental restorations. For example, have you ever wondered why a particular CAD/CAM milling cutter has a longer or shorter lifespan than another? Or have you ever wondered why certain tools can only process a certain number of dental restorations before they break?

Well, these and other problems are related to various technical features of CAD/CAM milling cutters, and although few people are aware of this, understanding the technical aspects of tools for the digital workflow and selecting the right tools can lead to an exponential increase in efficiency in the manufacturing of dental restorations. Furthermore, it helps you find CAD/CAM milling cutters with longer tool life and thus reduce operating costs, since you need to replace them less frequently.

In this article, you will learn how important the correct cutting geometry is for CAD/CAM milling cutters in the manufacture of dental prosthetics using digital workflows. Take a look!

Due to the unique features of each component produced by dental milling, the cutting geometry of the milling cutter becomes a crucial distinguishing feature for the final results; it is considered a decisive factor for the surface quality of the component and is essential for the longevity of the milling cutter. The cutting geometry of the milling cutter ensures highly precise milling of dental materials, provides surfaces suitable for the end product, minimizes rework effort, and enables perfect fitting between parts that require an exact connection.

This requires qualified engineers and testing laboratories to ensure that a milling cutter has the geometric features suitable for each type of dental material. OSG utilizes state-of-the-art equipment, such as robust and extremely precise 5-axis CNC machine tools, to create these highly precise geometries, with the aim of achieving perfect milling results; these geometries were specially developed to increase the strength and power of the tool.

During the dental milling process, the cutting tool removes chips (material removed) through rotational and feed movements while the material shifts in linear and angular movements. A well-executed machining process includes effective chip formation and removal. To machine the material, the cutting edges of the milling cutter have various wedge (cutting) and relief angles (clearance angles) that have been designed and tested to provide the best performance between the material and the milling cutter.

Um das Material zu zerspanen, sind die Nuten des Fräsers keilförmig; der Keilwinkel bestimmt die Bruchfestigkeit des Fräsers. Das bedeutet: Je kleiner der Keilwinkel, desto weniger bruchfest ist der Fräser, wobei diese Eigenschaft von der Art des zu fräsenden Materials abhängt.

Learn more about the main challenges in dental milling:

• High strength of the materials to be machined;
• Inconsistent interpretation of mathematical data leads to the removal of large quantities of material;
• Difficulties in removing chips from deep cavities;
• Long deflection paths that generate vibrations;
• Tight milling paths and tolerances;

The optimal ratio between angles and clearance surfaces, which serves to define the cutting geometries, is crucial to overcome the challenges mentioned above, extend the tool life of the milling cutter, and ensure higher precision as well as better surface quality of the milled parts.

Die Geometrien der CAD/CAM-Fräser von OSG gewährleisten einen reibungslosen Schnitt bei wichtigen Dentalwerkstoffen wie Keramik und Zirkonoxid und ermöglichen so hochwertige Restaurationen wie Kronen, Veneers, Onlays und Inlays.

3 Tips for Minimizing Tool Breakage in Dental Milling?

• Pay attention to the tool life of the milling cutter. The tool should be removed from the machine due to wear, never due to breakage, as this increases the risk of damage to the milling machine.
• Perform efficient planning in CAM to minimize the collision risk and ensure that the milling path is as clear as possible for an effective cut.
• Ensure efficient cooling and make sure there is never a lack of coolant so that the milling cutter stores as little heat as possible.

OSG milling cutters were developed for use at the highest cutting speeds on the leading milling machines on the market, and all milling cutters were also manufactured according to the highest quality and precision standards, which ensures compatible chucks for quick and precise tool changes in any milling machine system.

Now that you understand the importance of cutting geometry in CAD/CAM milling machines in the digital workflow, it is important that you apply this knowledge when making decisions about purchasing new tools for your milling machine.

Denken Sie daran, dass durch die Wahl der richtigen Werkzeuge mittel- und langfristig erhebliche Effizienzsteigerungen und Kosteneinsparungen erzielt werden können – ganz zu schweigen von wesentlich präziseren Endergebnissen bei zahnmedizinischen Eingriffen.

OSG CAD-CAM-Fräser sind die perfekte Wahl für präzises Fräsen bei außergewöhnlicher Standzeit. Dank umfangreicher Forschungsarbeit unseres Ingenieurteams bringen wir Dentalwerkzeuge auf den Markt, die eine überdurchschnittliche Leistung bieten und es Ihnen ermöglichen, mehr Elemente mit höherer Präzision, längerer Lebensdauer und dem besten Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis zu fräsen. Treffen Sie also die richtige Wahl beim Kauf von Werkzeugen für Ihre Fräsmaschine!

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