EOS Demonstrates Laser Sintering Models

By DE Editors

EOS, a supplier of laser-sintering systems, will be showcasing e-Manufacturing solutions for dental models at this year’s International Dental Show (IDS) show taking place in Cologne, Germany March 22-26.

The further development of dental CAD/CAM applications with new impression and intraoral scanners will make it possible to send high-quality data directly to the processing center. The only thing missing would be a dental model for occlusion testing and post-processing, or a fixation device for use during veneering. Such a model can be laser-sintered on a FORMIGA P 100 from PA 2105 plastic on the basis of already available data. Consequently, laser sintering provides a complete solution for the manufacture of dental prostheses, according to EOS.

“Laser-sintered dental models offer a whole range of advantages when compared to conventionally manufactured ones,” says Martin Bullemer, business development manager, Medical at EOS. “The digital e-Manufacturing process ensures a high model precision for the prosthesis fit.”

Polymer laser sintering is an additive layer manufacturing method. To enable its use for manufacturing dental models, the three dimensional data is sliced into layers. Using these as a model, the system produces the model by fusing layers of plastic powder using a laser.

The FORMIGA P 100 plastic laser-sintering system has an overall building volume of 200 mm x 250 mm x 330 mm. It can produce, for example, in three stacked layers, up to 50 single dental models within 10 hours, according to the company. Operating this laser-sintering system requires personnel only for loading and unpacking the machine.

PA 2105 is a pigmented polyamide-12 powder for the manufacturing of laser-sintered dental models that are based on the color of the plastics used in conventional manufacturing. The usual color contrast with the dental prosthesis eases the veneering of the dental prostheses.

For more information, visit EOS.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.