Carbon, a leader in 3D printing solutions for digital dentistry, has unveiled a significant expansion to its Automatic Operation (AO) Suite, marking a new era of efficiency and scalability for dental labs. This suite of enhancements is designed to streamline workflows, reduce manual labor, and ultimately improve patient care by empowering labs to focus on high-value tasks.
Addressing the Challenges of Modern Dental Labs
Dental labs face increasing pressure to optimize efficiency while maintaining high standards of quality. The need for faster turnaround times, reduced labor costs, and improved precision has driven the adoption of 3D printing technologies. However, even with 3D printing, manual intervention in pre- and post-processing can still be time-consuming and prone to errors. Carbon’s expanded AO Suite directly addresses these challenges by introducing a range of automated solutions.
Key Enhancements to the AO Suite:
Parts Retrieval Basket for AO Backpack:
Designed for labs utilizing the AO Backpack during staffed shifts, the Parts Retrieval Basket provides the flexibility to access completed prints without interrupting ongoing production.
This accessory allows lab technicians to retrieve printed parts on their own schedule, maximizing productivity and minimizing downtime.
The AO Backpack, which has already processed over 18,000 prints since its launch, sees increased functionality with this new addition.
Automatic Print Preparation (APP):
APP automates essential pre-processing steps, including orientation, support generation, and labeling, streamlining the pre-print workflow.
This feature can be used independently to optimize print preparation or in conjunction with the AO Backpack to further reduce manual intervention.
By automating these critical steps, APP keeps the print queue moving and enhances overall lab efficiency.
AO Polishing Cassette Expansion to European Market:
The AO Polishing Cassette, now available for M3 and M3 Max printers in Europe, leverages advanced light-scattering technology to polish parts directly during printing.
This solution produces smoother and clearer prints for dentures and splints, reducing the need for manual polishing and preserving intricate design details.
Validated for leading materials such as Dentsply’s Lucitone Digital Print and Keystone Keysplint Soft Clear, the AO Polishing Cassette enhances the production of denture bases and splints.
Now available for the M2 platform as well.
Lucentra: Clear Aligner Breakthrough:
Carbon introduces Lucentra, a comprehensive solution designed to improve the clarity of thermoformed aligners.
This solution includes finely tuned software, a new cassette for the Carbon L1 printer, and a next-generation material, UMA 20.
Lucentra reduces visible layer lines in thermoformed clear aligners, resulting in smoother printed models.
UMA 20 is designed for hollow models, and has an extended shelf life.
The Impact on Dental Labs and Patient Care:
Terri Capriolo, Senior Vice President of Oral Health at Carbon, emphasizes the company’s commitment to understanding and addressing the challenges faced by dental labs. By driving automation with the AO Suite, Carbon empowers labs to:
Optimize efficiency and scale production.
Reduce manual labor and minimize errors.
Focus on high-value tasks that elevate operations.
Deliver the greatest impact on patient care.
The Future of Digital Dentistry:
Carbon’s expanded AO Suite represents a significant step forward in the evolution of digital dentistry. By integrating automation into every stage of the 3D printing workflow, Carbon is enabling dental labs to achieve new levels of efficiency, precision, and productivity. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even greater innovations that further transform the way dental professionals deliver care.
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