Dental Model

Dental Model Orientations

There are three positions in which you can print Dental Models:

1. Horizontal: Printing horizontally is faster to prepare, faster to print if it is only one Dental Model, and is the most accurate, but it takes up the most space on the build platform.
2. Angled (10-15°): Printing at an angle takes more time to prepare and more time to remove the supports during the finishing phase. If you are printing a hollow object and have not added weep holes, you can print the model at an angle to allow resin to escape.
3. Vertical: Printing vertically is the fastest way to print when there is more than one Dental Model, but it takes the longest time to set up and is the slowest to print if it is only one model.

When should I print an Angled Dental Model?

We suggest using the angled orientation only when you are printing objects that contain a hole into which an analog or die is set. By putting the object in an angled orientation, you can make sure that the hole is completely symmetrical and that the analog is a perfect fit. For best results, you must make the hole parallel to the build platform. You can use the Select Base function to make the hole level with the build platform.

When should I use a Different Orientation?

Printing a dental model at an angled orientation takes more time to set up and print. You can print more models together and in less time using the vertical orientation. If your prints are used in a lab setting, the horizontal orientation is the best option because it is the most accurate.

1. Print Analysis

A. Critical Areas – Do Not Add Supports

• A1- The most important parts of the print are the teeth (especially the occlusal surfaces) any die holes, and the gingival areas. Alpha 3D can easily identify these sections on your model in all orientations and try to avoid putting supports here. The supports are not necessary in these places in the angled orientation, unless there is an overhang because a tooth is in an unusual position.

B. Intended Support Area

• B1- In the angled print orientation, if the model is designed to fit an articulator, the attachment or palate surface must have thick supports to hold the print in place. This surface is put closest to the build platform and is the foundation for the entire print.
• B2- The other parts on the bottom of the print can have supports added automatically and with very little manual adjustment, but again, you must make sure that there are no supports in any areas where there are holes for attaching analog parts.

2. Orientation

A. Put the model in a horizontal orientation.

• Select the model, open the Orientation panel, and click Select Base to put the model flat on the build area.

B. Change the angle of the model so that the back of the model is on the print platform and the front of the model is raised.

• Angle : 10-15 °

At this angle, the front teeth (incisors) of the model are approximately perpendicular to the build platform.

C. Raise the model off the platform.

• You can automatically raise the model when you add the supports. Open the Supports panel, and set the height parameters.
• Support Height: 1.5 – 2.0 mm

3. Supports

When adding supports to the model, we recommend the following procedure:

1. Open the Supports panel, apply the settings as shown below, and click the Auto Support button to add supports.
2. Click the Manual Support button and remove any supports that are too close together.
3. Add supports to any areas that have too few supports.
4. Change the support settings to be the same as the Base Support settings shown below.
5. Remove all supports along the lowest points of the print.
6. Add more manual supports (with the Base Support settings) to the lowest points of the print to make sure that area is securely attached to the build platform.

Auto Supports

• Point Size: 0.6 – 1.0 mm
• Elbow Size: 1.2 – 1.5 mm
• Bottom Size: 1.6 – 2.2
• Support Density: 80%
• Support Height: 1.5 – 2.0 mm

Base Supports

• Point Size: 1.0 – 1.6 mm
• Elbow Size: 1.3 – 2.0 mm
• Bottom Size: 1.6 – 2.5
• Support Density: 76%
• Support Height: 1.5 – 2.0 mm

4. Base

Adding a base to your model allows the print to securely attach to the build platform. A base also makes the print easier to remove during processing.

• If you use select General on the Type dropdown list, Alpha 3D automatically adds a small base to every support. These small bases are sufficient for most prints.
• You can also key in a value for the Base Thickness setting to add a base around the entire print. This makes it easier to remove the print from the build platform.

5. Printing

When the model is in place click the Printing Setup button to open the Printing Setup window and make sure the settings are as follows:

• Select your printer on the Printer Model dropdown list.
• Select QuraMODEL 2.0 on the Material dropdown list.
• Select your Layer Thickness. We recommend a layer thickness of 100 micrometres.

Click the Print button to open the Print window and save your model as a print file. The top of the windows shows your Printing Setup settings.

• Key in a Job Name.
• Click the Save button to save the name and settings.

Alpha 3D slices the model into layers and creates the print file. When the process is complete, it shows the IBF file in a window. You can now send this IBF file to your printer and start the printing process.

6. Finishing

When the printing process is complete, you must clean and dry the print and remove the supports.

• Cleaning Alcohol: Ethyl alcohol (95%) or isopropyl alcohol (99%)
• Ultrasonic Cleaner or Soak Time: 2 minutes
• Suggested UV Oven: Ackuretta UV Oven
• Suggested UV Oven Time: 2 minutes on the bottom side; turn the print over; 4 minutes on the top side.