Method and device for producing an article from a blank

Abstract: The invention makes it possible to produce from a blank an article whose contour is altered, preferably linearly enlarged, with great precision in relation to a corres­ ponding contour of a used model (1c). A copying machine is used in the production. The machine comprises, on the one hand, a first pair of units (1, 2) which are arranged so as to be rotatable. The model (1c) is arranged on the first unit (1) and the blank is arranged on the second unit (2). The machine also comprises a pair of second units (24, 25) in which one supports a detecting member (24a) which is brought into cooperation with the model, and the second unit supports a machining or actuating member which is brought into cooperation with and acts on the blank. The said pairs of units are displaced from and towards each other during production. In each pair of units, the units are also controlled individually so that the one unit executes second displacement movements relative to the other unit in such a way that the desired alteration is obtained.

Description: The present invention relates to a method and device for producing an article from a blank, the contour of the article being altered, enlarged, with great precision in relation to a corresponding contour of a used model. The method is used in a copying machine which has a first and a second pair of units. The units of the first pair are arranged so as to be rotatable. The said model is arranged on the first unit in the first pair, and the blank is arranged on the second unit. The one unit in the second pair of units supports a detecting member which is brought into cooperation with the model, and the other unit in the second pair supports a machining or actuating member which is brought into cooperation with and acts upon the blank. During production the said pairs of units are made to execute relative first displacement movements towards and away from each other during production of the article. The invention relates to a device (copying mill machine) by means of which the new method is made possible. PRIOR ART The present invention represents a further development of the copying machine according to SE-A-8601870. Individually shaped articles of different types can be produced using this machine. The machine is particularly advantageous for the production of, for example, insertion articles for artificial construction of teeth, human joints, etc. The machine is also suitable, in an intermediate stage in the production of tooth crowns or other cap-shaped articles, for producing tools in the form of electrodes, press tools, etc. with the desired contour for the finished product or machined article. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL PROBLEM In the said production it may be of interest to produce articles, tools etc. with high precision and in a technically simple manner. In conjunction with the production of, for example, ceramic tooth crowns, it is necessary to produce a tool, for example press tool, for the ceramic material. It is desirable for the tool to be made with an outer contour which is enlarged in relation to the outer contour of the used model. There are cases in which it is desirable for the enlargement to be effected as far as possible linearly. This requirement is due to the fact that the ceramic material applied to the tool is to be subjected to hard sintering which causes a linear shrinking of the ceramic cap produced with the press tool. An absolute precondition for a good final result is that the linear enlargement/alteration must be carried out with great precision, for example 5 x 10⁻⁶m. It is thus important that each length and radius of the model can be enlarged by a desired percentage figure with great precision. There are also cases in which the alteration/enlargement is required in only one direction of the axial and radial directions. SOLUTION The aim of the present invention is to provide a device (copying machine) and a method (for use in the copying machine) which solve, among other things, the problems mentioned above. Said aim is achieved by means of a method having the features of claim 1 and a device having the features of claim 2. The copying machine is also designed in such a way that it is possible to manually adjust the percentage figure by which the enlargement is to be carried out. In an embodiment the first and second pairs of units are arranged at an obtuse angle to each other, in which respect the relative displaceability between the units of the first pair effects the alteration or enlargement in the longitudinal direction of the model/article, and the relative displaceability between the units of the second pair effects the alteration or enlargement in the radial direction of the model/article. ADVANTAGES The invention relates to a new way of, among other things, providing a method and device for replacing lost tooth substance with various materials which are biocompatible, for example ceramic material. The procedure can include the production of tools, for example press tools, which will form part of a mould in which the material will be applied. In the subsequent treatment of the material, the article (for example the cap) produced in the mould is shrunk, which means that the contour transferred from the starting model of the cap or corresponding model to the tool in the copying machine must be enlarged linearly with great precision so that the article produced by means of the tool can be shrunk to dimensions which match the corresponding dimensions of the model with a great degree of accuracy in this context. By means of the invention, the great accuracy required can be achieved in a linear enlargement. The invention also permits the production of linearly enlarged, individually shaped articles. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES A proposed embodiment of a method and a device according to the invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings, in which Figure 1 shows, in a vertical view, an example of the outer contour of a copyable article which is enlarged linearly in the axial direction, as well as in the radial direction, Figure 1a shows, in a vertical view, an example of the outer contour of an article enlarged in the radial direction, as well as in the axial direction, Figure 2 is a plan view of parts included in a copying machine, Figure 3 is a cross-section along the cut line B-B in Figure 2, Figure 4 is a side view according to C-C in Figure 3, Figure 5 is a cross-section along the cut line A-A in Figure 2, and Figure 6 is an end view of a bearing unit arranged on a tool spindle included in the copying machine. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The new copying machine is a further development of the machine according to SE-A-8601870, and therefore only those parts directly relevant to the present invention will be described here. Figure 1 shows with a full line a model M whose outer contour K is to be enlarged linearly. The enlarged article KR is shown with a broken line, and the contour of the enlarged article is indicated by K1. Linear enlargement here means that each length of the model is enlarged by a percentage figure which, in an embodiment of the machine, can be selected in an adjustable manner. The centre of gravity is shown by T and the axis of rotation by R, for which a rotation arrow is also indicated. The following relationship applies in Figure 1: X₀ · f = X₁; in which f = the enlargemnt factor. Figure 1a corresponds to the case in which the linear enlargement is effected in the copying machine according to the invention in the radial direction as well as in the axial direction. The references in Figures 1 and 1a correspond to each other, and in Figure 1a they have been supplemented with primes. For the enlargement according to Figure 1a the following relationship applies: r₀ l₀ = r₁ l₁ = r₀ · f l₀ · f ; and x₀ l₀ = x₁ l₁ = x₀ · f l₀ · f ; in which f = the enlargement factor. From the uniform triangles obtained in Figure 1a it emerges that if 1₀ is enlarged or 1₀ shrinks a distance δ proportional to 1₀ or 1₁, r and x are altered in the same proportion. In this respect it is assumed that the centre line of rotation R' passes through the centre of gravity T'. There may be problems in exactly determining the position of the centre of gravity T, T', which means that the article can be rotated about an axis which deviates from the central axis cf rotation R, R'. However, it is found in practice that deviations in this respect are of no importance as regards the result obtained. The new machine and the new method for production using the machine still give the desired result (accuracy 5 µm). In the copying machine the linear enlargement starts from a fixed back plane, of. KB1 and KB2 in Figure 1. This too has no importance in a practical case where one can start from the fact that an axial percentage enlargement or shrinkage with respect to a section through the centre of gravity gives the same result as an axial enlargement or shrinkage with respect to any other section at right angles to the centre line. Even if the axial position of the article depends on from which section the enlargement is calculated, this is of no importance in the copying. In one exemplary embodiment each length and each radius of the model is enlarged by a percentage. The machine according to Figure 2 comprises a first pair of units in which the first unit has been indicated by 1 and the second unit by 2. The units are rotatably arranged in a housing 3 arranged displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the units. The unit 1 is provided with a chuck/securing device 1a in which a holder 1b which supports a model (replica) 1c can be secured. The second unit 2 comprises a chuck/securing device 2a in which a holder for a blank can be secured or attached in a corresponding manner. The unit 1a is arranged displaceable relative to the housing 3 in combined bearing and driving members 1d. In addition to its first longitudinal displacement movement via the longitudinally displaceable housing 3, the unit 1 is controlled mechanically by an outer first linkage system 4 by means of which the first unit is braked relative to the second unit, which can then be regarded as executing a second longitudinal displacement movement or enlargement movement relative to the unit 1, in such a way that the percentage enlargement in the axial direction according to Figure 1a is obtained. The linkage system 4 comprises a first link arm 4a and a second link arm 4b. The arms are mounted rotatable relative to each other in a bearing 4c, and the bearing point for the linkage system in the body 5 is indicated by 4d. The arm 4a extends across the units 1 and 2 to a bracket 6 (see also Figure 4) which is designed to follow the longitudinal displacement movements of the housing 3. The end 4a' of the arm is mounted in the bracket in accordance with Figures 3 and 4. In Figure 3 the rotatable axle of the unit 1 is indicated by 1'. The combined bearing and drive members 1d can also be seen. The axle 1' is mounted in a bearing part 7 which consists of a unit arranged longitudinally displaceably in the body of the unit 1, with a non-rotating part 7a, and a part 7c rotatable in this via bearing 7b. The axial slide surface between the body 1 and the part 7a is indicated by GY. The unit also comprises a drive wheel 1'' which is anchored rotatably to the axle 1' via a wedge 1'''. The drive wheel 1'' is driven by a drive member HM, for example a hydraulic motor. The gear engagement between the wheel 1'' and the drive member HM permits relative longitudinal displacement with retention of the gear engagement. A tightening nut LM is arranged at one end of the axle 1''. At the other end of the axle 1' there is a securing part 1e for the chuck 1a of the unit 1. The part 1e is secured via a thread on the axle and has, in a known manner, screw holes for the chuck. Secured on the top surface of the bracket there is a plate 8 which is held in the bracket by means of screws 9, 10. On the underside of the arm end 4a' there is an actuating part 11 for the arm end. The actuating part is secured by means of screws 12, 13. The movement of the bracket is transferred to the arm end 4a' by means of a ball bearing 14 which is anchored in a holder part 15 screwed into the plate 8. The ball bearing is arranged in a recess in the actuating part 11. The centre distance between the holder part 15 and the bearing points 4c for the link arms is indicated by A. The bearing 14 can, in accordance with Figure 4, be displaced by first loosening the screws 9, 10 and 12, 13 and then, on the one hand, displacing the plate 8, see also the oblong holes 16, 17 in Figure 2, and on the other hand displacing the part 11, cf. the oblong holes 18, 19 in Figure 2. The movement thus transferred from the bracket to the link arm 4a is conveyed further to the unit 1 via a ball bearing 20 arranged in a part 1e projecting from the unit 1. The bearing 21 of the ball bearing is secured in the link arm by means of a nut 22 which is screwed tight on a thread in the part 21. By means of this arrangement, the unit 1, in its longitudinal direction, is braked in its movement relative to the second unit 2. The second unit can therefore be regarded as executing a second displacement movement or additional movement in relation to the unit 1. The unit 2 thus does not cooperate with the link arm 4a. A distance between the bearing 4c of the link 4a and the bearing for the working point of the link arm in the unit 1 is indicated by B. The enlarged movement (= enlargement f) for the first unit is determined by the distance relationship A/B (thus = f), which can be adjusted according to the above. The arrangement for mechanical control of the unit 1 ensures that alteration or enlargement is effected in the copied article (can consist of a tool) in respect of its longitudinal direction. The link arm 4a can be acted upon by a spring 23 which is designed to compensate for any play in the transmission system of the linkage. The arrangement with the link arms 4a, 4b and intermediate bearing 4c also means that a certain minor adjustment can be made to the movement of the link arm 4 when the bracket 6 moves parallel to the direction of movement of the unit 1. The copying machine has a second pair of units which are here referred to as the third unit 24 and the fourth unit 25. The third unit comprises a member (needle) 24a which is longitudinally displaceable and senses the contour of the model 1c. In a known manner the member or needle controls a servo piston 24b which, together with the bearing, is mounted in a bearing housing 24c. The servo piston/rod supports a bearing part 24d for the fourth unit 25. The latter comprises a spindle housing 25a which is secured to the bearing part 24d via an attachment 24d' on the latter. The fourth unit also comprises a chuck 25c for securing a tool 25d (cutter, laser, etc). The spindle part 25b is mounted via a bearing (ball bearing) 25e in a sleeve 25f which is arranged longitudinally displaceable in the spindle housing 25a. Via the ball bearing 25e the spindle part 25b is, on the one hand, arranged rotatable relative to the sleeve 25f and, on the other hand, fixed in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve in such a way that the spindle part 25b, and thus the tool 25d, is longitudinally displaceable by means of the sleeve relative to the spindle housing 25a and the part 24d. The chuck 25c can be secured in the spindle part. The member 24a and the tool 25d are directed towards the model and blank, respectively, at an obtuse angle β which lies within the range of 110 - 180°, and is preferably about 135°. The longitudinally displaceable sleeve 25f in the spindle housing is controlled mechanically by means of a second linkage system which comprises link arms 26, 27 and 28. Link arm 26 is mounted at point 29 on the body part 5 and extends across the parallel units 24, 25. The link arms are joined by means of screws 30, 31, 32 and 33. Screw 30 is mounted in link 27 and is screwed securely in link 26. Screw 31 is mounted in link 27 and screwed securely at 24d (24d'). Screw 33 is mounted in link 28 and is screwed securely in link 26. Screw 33 can be screwed securely at any chosen position along the groove 34 in link 26. Screw 32 is mounted in link 28 and is screwed securely in a unit 35 which is clamped securely on the sleeve 25f. The movement from the detecting member 24a follows the broken line shown by arrows 36 to the member 25d when the member 24a moves a certain distance. This results in a movement of the screw (bearing) 30, which results in the link 26 moving a corresponding angular distance about the point 29. The screw (bearing) 33 (i.e. the sleeve 25f) thus moves a distance which is C/D greater than the distance which 30 moves, where C = the distance between the bearings 29 and 33 and D = the distance between the bearings 29 and 30. The enlargement f is thus identical to C/D. An adjustability of the percentage by which the enlargement is to take place is afforded by the arrangement of the recess 34, in which the bearing point 33 is displaceable for variation of the distance C. An alteration of the distance C results in an alteration of the used initial displacement position between the member 24c and the part 25d. The chosen adjustment possibility for the enlargement f (percentage by which enlargement is to take place) has been chosen in this example between 16 and 25%. The machine can of course be designed with other adjustment ranges. The bearing member 35 is held by a pin 37 arranged in the bearing part 24d. A spring 38 between the bearing part 24d and an inner surface of the bearing member 35 is designed to eliminate any play in the linkage system. An angle γ between the longitudinal axis of the unit 24 and the longitudinal axis of the link arm 26 is preferably about 90° when the tool/member 25d assumes an intermediate position. The arrangement with the second linkage system provides for enlargement in the radial direction of the produced article. In each pair of units the one unit is thus arranged longitudinally displaceable relative to the other unit. The one pair of units is thus concerned with the linear enlargement in the longitudinal direction of the article, and the other pair of units is concerned with the enlargement in the radial direction of the article. In one embodiment, only one of the pairs of units need be designed with relative displaceability between the units. The relative movement between the units in each pair of units can also be adjustable, individually or in coordination, to the same or different values of percentage enlargement. Each additional movement can be effected by means of members effecting the additional movement which can have the form of one or more link arms, electric motors, hydraulic control, etc.

Claims: Method for producing an article (KR') from a blank, the contour (K1') of the article being linearly enlarged with respect to a corresponding contour (K') of a selected masterpiece (M') by using a copying machine including a first pair of units (1,2) which are arranged so as to be rotatable and in which said masterpiece (M) is arranged on the first unit (1) and the blank is arranged on the second unit (2), and a second pair of units (24,25) including a third unit (24) supporting a detecting member (24a), and a fourth unit (25) for supporting a machining member wherein said first and second pair of units are made to execute first relative longitudinal displacement movements towards and away from each other during production of the article such that the detecting member is brought into cooperation with the masterpiece for detecting its contour and the machining member is brought into contact for working upon the blank and that, in addition to said first relative longitudinal displacement movements, the two units of a pair of units also are designed to execute second displacement movements relative to each other characterized in that said second displacement movements are executed during production of the article by (a) mechanically controlling one of the first and second units (1) in the first pair by a first linkage system (4) associated with said first pair such that the other of said first and second units executes second displacement movements with respect to the one unit to provide a desired linear enlargement of the article contour in the longitudinal direction, and (b) mechanically controlling one of the third and fourth units (25) in the second pair by a second linkage system (26,27,28) associated with said second pair such that the other of said third and fourth units executes second displacement movements with respect to the one unit to provide the desired linear enlargement of the article contour in the radial direction. A device for producing an article (KR') from a blank according to claim 1, the contour (K1') of the article being linearly enlarged with respect to a corresponding contour (K') of a selected masterpiece (M') comprising a copying machine including a first pair of units (1,2) which are arranged so as to be rotatable and in which the first unit (1) supports the masterpiece (1c) and the second unit supports the blank and a second pair of units (24,25) including a third unit (24) supporting a detecting member and a fourth unit (25) for supporting a machining member and wherein said first and second pair of units ar designed to execute first relative longitudinal displacement movements towards and away from each other during production of the article such that the detecting member is brought into cooperation with the masterpiece for detecting its contour and the machining member is brought into contact for working upon the blank and that,in addition to said first relative longitudinal displacement movements, the two units of a pair of units also are designed to execute second displacement movements, relative to each other characterized by means for executing said second displacement movements during production of the article comprising: (a) a first linkage system (4) associated with the first pair of units for mechanically controlling one of the first and second units (1) in the first pair such that the other of said first and second units executes second displacement movements with respect to the one unit to provide a desired linear enlargement of the article contour in the longitudinal direction, and (b) a second linkage system (26,27,28) associated with the second pair of units for mechanically controlling one of the third and fourth units (25) in the second pair such that the other of said third and fourth units executes second displacement movements with respect to the one unit to provide the desired linear enlargement of the article contour in the radial direction. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that, in each pair of units, the one unit is designed longitudinally displaceable relative to the second unit, and thus the unit which is relatively longitudinally displaceable cooperates in the copying procedure with the unit in the second pair which is not longitudinally displaceable with the second longitudinal displacement movement, and in that the one pair (1,2) is thus concerned with the linear enlargement in the longitudinal direction of the article, and the second pair (24,25) is concerned with the linear enlargement in the radial direction of the article. Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that it is designed for selectable adjustment of the second displacement movements, for example for selectable adjustment of the percentage by which the linear enlargement is to be effected, and in that the percentage for each pair of units (1,2 and also 24,25) in each pair can be adjusted individually or in coordination, in which respect, in the first case, adjustment can be carried out to the same or different percentage values. Device according to Claim 3 characterized in that the first linkage system (4) comprises a first link arm (4a) which is mounted at its one end and extends across and beyond the units (1,2) of the first pair which are arranged in parallel, and in that, at a projecting part of the link arm (4a), it is arranged with manually actuable adjustment members for manual adjustment of the relative displaceability between the units (1,2) of the first pair. Device according to Claim 4 characterized in that the manually actuable members are arranged on a bracket (6) which follows the movements of the bearing housing (3) in the longitudinal directions of the units of the first pair, and in that connecting members are arranged between the bracket and the first link arm (4a), whose movements transferred from the bracket can be passed to a unit, actuated by the link arm, of the units (1,2) of the first pair. Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the second linkage system (26,27,28) comprises a second link arm (26) which is mounted at a relatively fixed point (5) and extends across the units of the second pair which are arranged in parallel, and in that, at its free end, the second link arm (26) is provided with manually actuable adjustment members for manual adjustment of the percentage size of the second displacement movements of the said second pair, and in that the link arms of the second linkage system comprise further links (27,28) for transferring movements from the one unit of the second pair (24,25) to the other unit of the second pair.

Inventors: ANDERSSON MATTS, GUSTAFSSON VAERNE, ANDERSSON, MATTS, GUSTAFSSON, VAERNE, Gustafsson, Värne
Applicants: NOBELPHARMA AB
Application year: 1990
Main classification: B23Q35
IPC codes: A61C13, B23Q35, B23B3, A61C5, B23C1