Dental Die

Dental Die Orientations

This guide covers printing dies in two similar orientations:

A. Angled: Dental dies are normally designed at an angle to match the normal shape of a dental model. Printing dies at an angle is relatively easy, but it may require more supports, and the final accuracy of the print at the tooth or crown fitting location may reduce. However, the fit of the die may be tighter than printing vertically, especially if printing the model horizontally (flat).

B. Vertical: Printing vertically usually improves overall die accuracy, and possibly reduces the amount of necessary supports. It takes a little more time to orient a die vertically, and it will take a little longer to print, because printing vertically increases the number of layers.

Both orientations print well enough for clinical and lab applications. Sometimes the same print will include dies designed from the same model that are better printed both ways, so it is possible to have both orientations in the same print.

1. Print Analysis

A. Critical Areas – Do Not Support

• A- The goal for both die printing orientations is to have the best fit possible as well as the most accuracy on the die head, which may have a tooth or crown fitting. As such, both orientations position the die head at the top, so these orientations will have no supports along most of the die body, and, in particular, no supports on the tooth or fitting surface.

B. Intended Support Area

• B1- The bottom of the die, including any friction nodes, will need the majority of the supports of this print.
• B2- If the print has overhangs on the die head, those overhangs will need supports. More of these supports may be necessary when printing the dies in the angled orientation

2. Orientation

A. Angled Orientation: In the angled orientation, the majority of the die is positioned at an angle, but the bottom of the die is positioned flat. In this orientation, avoid having any local minimum points on the bottom of the die.

• In Omega 3D, to place an object flat, select the object, go to the BASE tab, and use the Select Bottom Face function.

B. Vertical Orientation: In the vertical orientation, the die is positioned as vertically as possible. This may add minimum points on the bottom, which will need to be supported individually.

• In Omega 3D, to position an object vertically, select the object, go to Nesting, and click Minimum Area.

C. For both orientations, raise the part off the platform.

• Height : 1.5 mm

3. Scale

Recommended

Ackuretta recommends printing models and dies on separate platforms. If you print models and dies separately, you do not need to scale any items.

Not Recommended

However, if you intend to print models and dies on the same platform, the dies require size adjustment so they fit properly in the model.

A. To scale objects in Omega 3D, first, select your dies. You can hold Ctrl to select multiple objects at once.
Do not select your models; only select your dies.

B. Go to INFO, and then click Scale.

C. Choose the factors you want to scale each dimension in and press Apply.
QuraMODEL 2.0 – Die scaling for printing with models:

• X: 1.00960
• Y: 1.00960
• Z: 1.00000

4. Supports

You can print most dies using the same support parameters. However, larger dies require larger supports to be able to support their weight.

Support Parameters

• Top Radius: 0.400 mm – 0.70 mm
• Bottom Radius: 0.80 mm – 1.20 mm
• Omega 3D Setting: 0.45 mm – Crown, Die, Splint

Angled Orientation

• The bottom will be flat, so there is not as much concern for finding the local minimum points. However, the part will be tilted enough that more supports are required on the side that the die is tilted toward.

Vertical Orientation

• The bottom of the die will have at least one local minimum point, and if there is a friction node, at least one more point will appear above the friction node. This orientation may require supports for the overhangs, but usually fewer than the angled orientation.

5. Base

Ackuretta recommends adding a base to almost all supported prints. Adding a base allows the print to stick to the build platform securely, and it makes the print easier to remove during post processing.

• Base Thickness: 0.150 mm – 0.250 mm
• To add a base in Omega 3D, go to the BASE tab, and then click Add Base.

6. Print

Arrange all of the models that you want to print. Do not add a base to the models when printing horizontally.

In Omega 3D, select your Machine and Resin from the Project tab on the left side. Then go to the Slice tab to select your Material profile. Your material profile contains the layer thickness and may be calibrated for specific types of prints.

• Resin: QuraMODEL 2.0
• Recommended Layer Thickness: 0.070 mm (FreeShape) or 0.075 mm (Diplo / Ackuray)
• Recommended Profile: Choose the “Model” setting. If your profile has a “Solid” or “Hollow” distinction, choose that setting as appropriate for your models.

Diplo / Ackuray Print Settings

• Buffer Layers: 5 layers
• First Layer Curing: ×8

FreeShape 120 Settings

• Burn-In Layers: 6 layers
• Burn-In Layer Curing Time: ×3 curing time
• Max Motor Speed: 800

7. Finishing

After printing, clean, dry, and cut your supports if you have any.

• Cleaning Alcohol: Ethyl alcohol (95%) or isopropyl alcohol (99%)
• Ultrasonic Cleaner or Soak Time: 2 minutes
• Suggested UV Oven: Ackuretta UV Oven – Flash Setting
• Suggested UV Oven Time: 4 minutes, flip, and then another 4 minutes
  • Use the Flash Setting by holding the start button down when beginning the cycle