Printing Strategy for Dental Model Dies

  • Application: Dental Model
  • Sub-type: Die
  • Material: CURO Model
  • Layer Thickness: 100 μm
  • Software: Alpha 3D

Dental Model Die Orientations

This guide shows how to print dental model dies in two orientations:

  1. Angled: Dental model dies are normally designed in the same angle as the dental model. Printing dental model dies at an angle is relatively easy, but it may require more supports and the tooth or crown fitting areas can be less accurate. The fit can also be tighter when printed at an angle, especially if you print the model in a horizontal orientation (i.e. flat). We strongly suggest you print dental model dies in a vertical orientation.
  2. Vertical: Printing the dental model die in a vertical orientation usually improves overall die accuracy, and can reduce the number of necessary supports. It takes more time to put the die in a vertical orientation and it takes longer to print because there are more layers.

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

Note: We strongly recommend testing the fit between the dies and models because the fit is the most important factor. dental model dies fit in the model best when the die and hole are at the same angle.

Print Analysis

Critical Areas – Do Not Support

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. Therefore, both orientations put the die head at the top, so these orientations have no supports on most of the die body, and more specifically, no supports on the tooth or fitting surface.

Intended Support Area

B1- The bottom of the dental model die, including any friction nodes, must have most of the supports for this print.

B2- If the object is printed in an angled orientation and it has overhangs on the die head, those overhangs must have supports. It is best to print dental model dies vertically and avoid using supports if possible because the supports in this area, can cause an issue with the fit.

Orientation

  1. Angled Orientation: In the angled orientation, the majority of the dental model 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.

To put the object flat, select the model, open the Orientation panel and use the Select Base function.

  1. Vertical Orientation: In the vertical orientation, the dental model die is put in as much of a vertical position as possible. This can cause there to be minimum points at the bottom, and each minimum point must have a support.

To put the object in a vertical position, select the model, open the Orientation panel, and use the handles on the model to make the sides as straight as possible.

You can use the preset views to see the die from the front and sides.

  1. In both orientations, 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

Supports

You can print most dental model dies using the same support settings. However, larger dies must have larger supports to hold the weight.

Support Parameters

Point Size: 0.4 – 0.7 mm
Elbow Size: 0.6 – 1.0 mm
Bottom Size: 0.9 – 1.4
Support Density: 84%
Support Height: 1.5 – 2.0 mm

Angled Orientation

The bottom is flat, so there is not as much concern for finding the local minimum points. However, the part is at an angle and more supports are necessary on the side to which the die is tilted.

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.

Tip: Do not use Automatic Supports for this type of print. It is faster to use Manual Supports to add supports to dental model dies.

If the supports are too close together, move the bottom of each support so that there is an angle and there is a space between the bottoms of all supports.

Base

We strongly recommend adding a base to your model because it allows the print to securely attach to the build platform. A base also makes the print easier to remove during processing.

If you use the General support setting, Alpha 3D automatically adds a small base to every support. This small base is sufficient for most prints.

Additionally, you can add a base around the entire print using the Base Thickness setting. This may make it easier to remove the print from the build platform.

Warning: A thicker base does not improve print performance. A Base Thickness of 0.400 mm or thicker can make a print less likely to succeed.

Printing

  1. Put all of the models that you want to print in place. Then, click the Printing Setup button to open the Printing Setup window.
  2. Make sure the settings are as follows:
  3. Select your printer on the Printer Model dropdown list.
  4. Select CURO Model on the Material dropdown list.
  5. Select your Layer Thickness. We recommend a layer thickness of 100 micrometres.
  6. Click the Print button to open the Print window and save your model as a print file. The top of the window shows your Printing Setup settings.
  7. Key in a Job Name.
  8. 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.

Finishing

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

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

Tip: Flash curing starts automatically when you press the Start button on the Ackuretta UV Oven. Flash curing reduces resin distortion. We strongly recommend you use flash curing, but you can press and hold the Start button if you want to use continuous curing instead.