Die Dentalindustrie hat in den letzten Jahren einen bemerkenswerten Wandel durchlaufen, wobei die 3D-Drucktechnologie an der Spitze dieser Revolution steht. Olivier Mangot, Co-Direktor des Ident'M-Labors und seines hochmodernen Produktionszentrums Ninety!, hat diese Technologie genutzt, um den Betrieb drastisch zu erweitern. Nach der Investition in drei Stratasys J5 DentaJet-Drucker produziert die Anlage nun täglich bis zu 500 hochpräzise Modelle, Aligner-Bögen und Zahnfleischmasken. Dieses Produktionsvolumen erforderte einen optimierten Arbeitsablauf für die Entfernung von Stützstrukturen, was durch die Integration der automatisierten Waschmaschine DEMI X 520 von PostProcess Technology erreicht wurde.
While the Stratasys J5 DentaJet printers enabled unprecedented production capacity, Ninety! needed to optimize the entire workflow to maintain their commitment to 24-48 hour customer delivery times. The post-printing steps for DentaJet are minimal as parts come off the printer fully cured. The only additional step involves washing off the support material with water.
"When we increased our Stratasys DentaJet production capacity, we needed to ensure that support removal wouldn't become a bottleneck," says Mangot. "The DentaJet printers were producing flawless models with a high level of efficiency, and we needed to continue that efficiency throughout the entire workflow, including cleaning."
To maximize the value of their Stratasys investment, Ninety! implemented PostProcess Technologies' DEMI X 520 machine, which was specifically adapted for PolyJet printing technology.
"PostProcess worked with us to develop a solution that preserves the exceptional quality produced by our Stratasys J5 DentaJet printers," explains Mangot. "This integration allows us to fully leverage the production capacity of our three DentaJet systems without compromising on quality."
The integrated workflow allows the Ninety! operator to remove up to 200 parts from the DentaJet printers each morning, load them into the PostProcess machine, and launch a pre-programmed washing cycle. After approximately 2 hours, the parts emerge perfectly cleaned, ready for delivery.
"The DEMI X 520 ensures we can fully realize the quality and efficiency benefits of our Stratasys printers," adds Mangot." Cleaning quality at scale is critical because the Stratasys J5 DentaJet produces geometrically complex parts with intricate details.
A significant advantage of the Stratasys DentaJet technology is its compatibility with water-based cleaning processes, eliminating the need for isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or other solvents common in dental 3D printing.
"One of the major benefits of Stratasys DentaJet technology is offering a solution without IPA-type solvents in post-processing," points out Alain Marion from PostProcess. "This creates a safer workplace environment and reduces regulatory complexity."
"Workplace health and safety is crucial in our operation," emphasizes Mangot. "Stratasys' water-soluble support material offers significant advantages over competing technologies that require flammable solvents. Combined with our automated cleaning solution, we've created an efficient, safe, and environmentally responsible production system."
“When I calculate my ROI at the end of the year, I have increased my productivity and saved money. And, I reduced my ecological impact while improving my employees’ working conditions!” explains Mangot.
The combination of Stratasys J5 DentaJet printers and complementary automated washing has transformed Ninety!'s production capabilities.
Key benefits include:
"Stratasys technology has been fundamental to our success," concludes Mangot. "The J5 DentaJet printers deliver exceptional quality and consistency at scale, and integrating complementary automated washing ensures we can maintain our commitment to fast turnaround times. Today we have a complete solution that makes us more competitive than our rivals."
