- Application: Dental Model
- Material: CURO Model
- Layer Thickness: 100 μm
- Software: Alpha 3D
Dental Model Orientations
There are three positions in which you can print Dental Models:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 a vertical Dental Model?
The vertical orientation is best used for mass production of models, such as when making models that are thermoformed for aligners. The models can be hollow or solid.
When should I use a different orientation?
Do not use the vertical orientation when printing models to attach to articulator interfaces. Vertical printing is not suitable for prints that are used for die fitting or margin lines for crowns. When vertically printing maxillary models, make sure that the model does not include any material in the palate region.
Print Analysis
Critical Areas – Do Not Add Supports
A- The teeth, any die holes, and the immediate gingival areas are the most important parts of the print. Alpha 3D can easily identify these sections on your model in all orientations and try to avoid putting supports here. If supports are necessary in these places because of minimum points, the supports should be small, and may need some sanding during the processing stage.
Intended Support Area
B1- In the vertical orientation, the back of the model (including the back side of the final teeth) must have supports.
B2- If necessary, you can put supports on the underside of the model to hold the lowest points in this area.
Note: The model and print area shown in Alpha 3D is actually inverted on the printer. It is easier to see and work with your model in this perspective, but the object is printed from the bottom up during the print process.
Orientation
- Put the model in a position so that the back of the model is on the platform, but the front of the model is raised.
- Select the model and open the Orientation panel. Use the handles on the model to turn it to your desired angle.
- Adjust the angle of the model so that it is not necessary to put any supports on the teeth surfaces. Angle : 80-85 °
- Raise the model off the platform. You can automatically raise the model when you add the supports. Open the Supports panel and set the support height parameter. Support Height: 1.5 – 2.0 mm
Supports
When adding supports to the print, we strongly recommend the following:
- Set up the Base Support and Fill Support settings as shown below.
- Click the Manual Support button and use the View Slider to find the lowest points of the model. Add supports to these points.
- Add supports to the local minimum points on the model, including in the middle section.
- Add more supports to the bottom of the model as shown in the Base Supports below.
- If possible, remove any supports that directly touch the teeth. You want to minimize the number of supports on the teeth, any die holes, and the immediate gingival areas, but make sure there are enough supports to securely attach the print to the build platform.
- Add more supports to the backs of the last molars and to any areas where there are large overhangs, as shown in Fill Supports below.
Base Supports
- Point Size: 2.0 – 2.6 mm
- Elbow Size: 2.3 – 3.0 mm
- Bottom Size: 2.6 – 3.5
- Support Density: 76%
- Support Height: 1.5 – 2.0 mm
Note: The size may cause some supports to extend through the bottom of the build platform and will appear blue. This is not a problem. Your model will print normally.
Fill 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
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
Put all of the models that you want to print in place. Then, click the Printing Setup button to open the Printing Setup window.
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.
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
- Suggested UV Oven Time: 2 minutes on the bottom side; turn the print over; 4 minutes on the top side.
Tip: Hold the Start button on the Ackuretta UV Oven to use flash curing instead of continuous curing. Flash curing reduces resin distortion.