In view of the benefits, illustrated in the previous article, it is necessary to be clear about the real needs of the laboratory; in particular, analysing what needs to be milled, how and why, is crucial when choosing your faithful ally! The purpose of this article is to illustrate which factors determine the choice of Milling Machine.
What are the elements to be taken into consideration?
One of the first elements to consider is certainly the type of material to be machined, according to which the type of machining depends, which can then be:
- dry milling: resins, composites, fibres, PMMA, PEEK, waxes and zirconia, cobalt chrome alloys;
- liquid-cooled milling: integral ceramics, lithium disilicate and metals such as titanium.
For a Laboratory which intend to process different types of material, it is therefore advisable to purchase two Milling Machines dedicated to both types of milling.
The second essential element to evaluate is the number of axes of movement, which is often a necessary condition for carrying out certain types of machining, in fact:
- the 4-axis Milling Machine is suitable for simple machining operations, such as inlays or single crowns and small bridges;
- the 5-axis Milling Machine, on the other hand, is indicated for extensive and more complex machining operations, such as engagements for implant connections or the machining of the interdental space between two crowns of a bridge or the detail of vestibular separations.
The choice of axes is crucial because it affects the realisation of the part.
For smaller dental laboratories, the investment can be aimed at covering the actual needs of the laboratory: a possible choice is the purchase of a dry milling machine (useful for machining zirconia and resins) and sintering furnace, relying on milling centres for more complex machining.
For dental laboratories that have to handle a greater volume of work, a larger investment is advisable, but the return is assured!
Proposals by 88dent: 4 axes vs 5 axes
Below are our 4-axis and 5-axis Milling Machines that you can find in detail in our shop.
4 axes:
- Zeta4 wet: machine dedicated to the processing of block and premilled materials with maximum speed and precision thanks to ultra HD milling and grinding, extremely fast processing (flawless restorations in just one day), possibility to mill with optimised strategies 38 materials from 20 different manufacturers, possibility to mill more than 800 prefabricated titanium and CoCr abutments from 11 manufacturers, complete independence thanks to integrated workflow with major scanners and software, integrated PC with touch screen and WLAN (no laptop/tablet required), integrated compressor, futuristic design;
- 88 Mill: disc machining machine from 98, compact, economical, long-life, mills even extra-hard materials - such as chrome cobalt;
- Enne 4+ wet: dedicated machine for machining up to 3 blocks or premilled ideal for any material, maximum machining freedom, compact (ideal for any type of space), tool change in no time.
5 axes:
- Dry Kappa5+: mills the hardest materials on the market, including cobalt chrome, with unrivalled precision, DirectDisc clamping, ioniser, integrated webcam for remote maintenance, automatic tool changer for 16 tools and DentalCAM software, clean and elegant design;
- 88 Mill Five S: ideal machine for the production of models, surgical guides and implantology, 5 axes of simultaneous operation, massive frame made of a single aluminium casting, automatic loader for 16 tools, sophisticated protection mechanism, possibility to use discs up to 40 mm thick, powerful and high-precision electrospindle, practical drawer for accessories;
- Erre5 dry and wet: one of the most powerful machines on the market, powerful and solid, suitable for any application, it guarantees great design freedom, faster machining, longer spindle life and redefined milling with ultra HD restorations. It is also equipped with sensors to control all system functions and webcams for remote assembly and servicing. It mills and polishes the hardest materials, including titanium and cobalt-chrome varieties. Operation is incredibly simple thanks to its technologies, including a 10-position disc changing system with DirectDisc Technology, automatic self-cleaning system with DirectClean Technology, thanks to an integrated ioniser, and an auto-drying system between wet/dry transition. Can be used with all manufacturers' materials, with no limits or constraints;
- Esse5: works with simultaneous movement and 16-position automatic tool change and 8-position automatic disc change. Thanks to the second rotary axis, sub-squares can be milled without difficulty. It has an even more powerful and precise synchronous spindle for automatic tool change. Maximum precision, high stability, maximum versatility, high reliability, maximum profitability, neutralisation of electrostatic discharge of acrylic particles, thanks to the 3 ionisers for a cleaner working space at all times;
- Emme30: a high-performance machine dedicated to heavy machining on metals and alloys, thanks to its robust structure in spheroidal cast iron for lower thermal conduction and high vibration absorption for more precise results, automatic tool changer with 15 stations for a wide choice of tooling, electrospindle with 3. 6Kw electrospindle with separate liquid cooling, modern design cnc touchscreen monitor, touch led safety panel, automatic cleaning tool, fast calibration, quick pneumatic clamping system, possibility of vestibular machining thanks to the possibility of rotating the B-axis up to 140°, efficient coolant pump system.
- Easy53: milling machine with fully automatic calibration and simple, intelligent handling for dry machining of soft materials, software and machine fully developed independently from UP3D with 'Easy to use' technology. Precise and reliable 5-axis movement suitable for all types of machining. LED lighted feed bar.
For more information on the differences between milling machines, download the infographic.
And what kind of milling machine does your Lab need?
Read the next article on the importance of a check-up to maintain the performance of your Milling Machine!