Dental Model

Application Guide for Printing Horizontal Orientation

Application: Model
Subtype: Horizontal
Resin: QuraMODEL 2.0
Software: Omega 3D

Dental Model Orientations

Dental models may be printed a number of different ways:

A. Horizontal: Accurate, requires the least print preparation time, and prints the fastest for individual prints, but takes up the most build platform space

B. Angled (10-15°): Highest possible accuracy and smoothness, but requires the most print preparation and support cutting time

C. Vertical: Fastest printing method for mass production, but slowest for individual prints

When should I print horizontal (flat)?

Printing flat is the easiest orientation to print in. It takes very little work to set up, it prints quickly, and it usually doesn’t have any supports to remove. It prints accurately enough for clinical applications. Because of all those reasons, most users in labs or clinics will print horizontally most of the time. In particular, printing flat is best for solid models and for models printed for fit-testing other applications, such as surgical guides or splints.

When should I use a different orientation?

When printing hollow models, you may need supports on the underside of your model. If the model has only a shallow hole, that may cause print problems. Additionally, hollow models may trap resin underneath the print which can cause heat buildup, which may cause the print to fail or have small holes where resin or heat bursts out.

Because of this, Ackuretta does not recommend printing flat for hollow models. If you do, add holes into your design to allow resin to go out of the print. In those cases, the Angled orientation may be better.

When trying to maximize production, Ackuretta recommends printing vertically. This is especially true when printing on the Ackuretta Diplo, which is designed for vertical printing.

1. Print Analysis

A. Critical Areas – Do Not Support

  • The teeth, any die holes, and the immediate gingival areas are the most important parts of the print, and all print orientations try to avoid putting supports on any of those locations. The horizontal orientation does not need supports in these locations, unless there is an overhang due to an unusual tooth placement.

B. Intended Base Area

  • When printing flat, the entire bottom of the part will be directly on the build platform. When printing solid models, no supports will be necessary, but any scratches on the build platform will be visible on the bottom of the print.

2. Orientation

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

3. Supports

Solid Models – No Supports

  • Completely solid models with a flat base require no supports.

Hollow Models – Supports on the Bottom

  • Hollow models may require supports on the bottom to cover minimum points.
  • Top Radius: 0.75 mm – 1.25 mm
  • Bottom Radius: 1.00 mm – 1.80 mm
  • Omega 3D Setting: 1.00 mm – Thick Supports

Main Support Area

Main Support Result

Fill Support Area

Fill Support Result

4. 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.

Warning

A thicker base does not improve print performance. A base of 0.400 mm or thicker may even make a print less likely to succeed.

Tip

Do not use Automatic Supports for this print. This print can be supported much faster with Manual Supports.
If your supports are too close together, move their bottoms so the supports have an angle and there is some separation between the bottoms of all supports.

4. 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

5. 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
  • Suggested UV Oven Time: 4 minutes, flip, and then another 4 minutes