Patent ID: 8644978

Claim:
A machining apparatus for fabricating endodontic instruments having a plurality of instrument configurations comprising: a computer interface for storing operating parameters of a plurality of cutting configurations, each cutting configuration corresponding to at least one of the plurality of instrument configurations, for selecting one of the plurality of cutting configurations, and for generating control signals based upon the stored operating parameters of the cutting configuration selected; a grinding wheel for grinding the endodontic instruments; and a positioning mechanism for loading one of the endodontic instruments, for receiving the control signals, and for controlling a translational motion and a rotational velocity of the loaded endodontic instrument as the loaded endodontic instrument is moved past the grinding wheel at least in part in response to the control signals; wherein the positioning mechanism further comprises: a linear driving mechanism for providing the translational motion of the positioning mechanism along a horizontal axis; a lift mechanism for providing the translational motion of the positioning mechanism along a vertical axis; and a feed block having a spindle for supporting the loaded endodontic instrument and for providing the rotational velocity of the loaded endodontic instrument.