Patent ID: 7204032
Filing Date: 2007-04-17
Classification: A61C,G01B,G16H

Abstract:
1. A method of producing a three-dimensional shape data of a model of a dental prosthesis, wherein said data is subsequently used for cutting a block by an automatic cutting machine to create a dental prosthesis that has the same shape as that of the model of the dental prosthesis, wherein said method comprises the steps of: providing a model of a dental prosthesis, said model having an engaging portion on the jawbone side, said engaging portion including an engaging part having a first cross sectional shape; providing a three-dimensional measuring device, said three-dimensional measuring device comprising: a rotary table rotatable about a Z axis, a XY table, said XY table being movable in both X axial and Y axial directions and arranged on the rotary table, a placing table arranged on the XY table, a mounting tool fixed on an upper part of the placing table specifying a providing direction, said mounting tool comprising a cylindrical part, a mounting part on an upper face side of the cylindrical part, said mounting part having a second cross sectional shape for engaging with the engaging part of the model of the dental prosthesis, said mounting part being formed so as to position a prolonged line of a center axis T of the cylindrical part in the engaging part, and the placing part is formed and placed on said placing table so as to have the center axis T of the cylindrical part being vertical with respect to an upper surface of the XY table, the placing part is formed and placed on said placing table so as to have the center axis T of the cylindrical part being vertical with respect to the upper surface of the XY table, and the mounting part being aligned with the specified providing direction when the lower surface of the cylindrical part is placed on the placing table, and a measuring part for measuring the three-dimensional coordinates of the shape of a model mounted on the mounting tool, said measuring part including a laser sensor rotationally moving on one plane containing the Z axis at least around a desired point on the Z axis; mounting the engaging part of said model of the dental prosthesis on the mounting part of said mounting tool; mounting the mounting tool with the model of the dental prosthesis on the placing table; moving the XY table in the X and/or the Y axis directions in order to align the center axis T of the cylindrical part of the mounting tool with the Z axis; and measuring said model of the dental prosthesis by rotating the XY table via the rotary table around the Z axis using the specified reference providing direction of the placing table and rotationally moving the laser sensor, to thereby produce three-dimensional data of the shape of the model of the dental prosthesis other than the engaging portion of the model.