Applies to: E4, Z4

Setting up and using 3Shape Produce workflow

3Shape Produce enables standardized data exchange between TRIOS Design Studio and DentalCAM.

The 3Shape Produce workflow is supported for the following vhfdental machines:

  • E4

  • Z4

For Z4 users: Changeover video

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3Shape Produce replaces the CAD/CAM integration of TRIOS Design Studio. A change back to CAD/CAM integration is not planned.

To create jobs for objects, work with both TRIOS Design Studio and DentalCAM in the 3Shape Produce workflow.

3Shape Produce workflow

ChairsideCAM and DentalCAM

ChairsideCAM is a variant of DentalCAM with a specially adapted user interface for the chairside area. The user interface focuses on the typical steps in this workflow.

vhf recommends ChairsideCAM for chairside users.

Main features:

  • Streamlined interface for accelerated chairside workflow

  • Designed for single orders – no blank archive available

  • Exclusively block machining possible

  • High quality like DentalCAM, because based on the same technology

Step 1: Prepare setup

The following computer configurations are possible

Configuration 1 (default configuration)

 

Configuration 2 (multi-machine configuration)

 

Configuration 3 (combined CAD/CAM computer)

 

  • For reasons of space, ChairsideCAM has not been included in the diagrams. It replaces DentalCAM when used.

  • This help article only stipulates machine configurations 1 or 2 for Z4 machines.

  • Z4 machines use the touchscreen instead of DentalCNC by default.

Only Z4

  1. Connect to the CAM computerClosed The computer that is connected to your machine and which runs DentalCAM and DentalCNC. via remote desktop access.

    Accessing the CAM computer

  2. Machines with internal CAM computerClosed The computer that is connected to your machine and which runs DentalCAM and DentalCNC.: If DentalCAM & DentalCNC is installed in version 7, contact your customer service for licensing and installation of version 8.

    Licensing is free of charge for machines with a delivery date of 2021 or later.

    Updating to DentalCAM 8 on Z4 machines

All machines

  1. Install DentalCAM & DentalCNC 8.07 or a higher version on the CAM computerClosed The computer that is connected to your machine and which runs DentalCAM and DentalCNC..

    Installing DentalCAM & DentalCNC

    Updating DentalCAM and DentalCNC

  2. If you use the function for multi-machine control, switch to computer configuration 2 for machines in the 3Shape Produce workflow.

    The multi-machine control cannot be used together with the 3Shape Produce workflow.

  3. License and install TRIOS Design Studio including all components required for 3Shape Produce on the CAD computer.

Step 2: Set up 3Shape Produce

Configure DentalCNC

You perform the following steps on each CAM computerClosed The computer that is connected to your machine and which runs DentalCAM and DentalCNC.:

    1. Open the DentalCNC Application settings with the following icon in the main icon bar: 

    2. Open the General settings with the following icon in the local icon bar: 

    3. Activate the CAD/CAM integration and 3Shape Produce enabled option.

       

Recommendation: activate ChairsideCAM

If you want to use ChairsideCAM, perform the following steps on each CAM computerClosed The computer that is connected to your machine and which runs DentalCAM and DentalCNC.:

  1. Open the DentalCAMapplication settings window with the following icon in the main toolbar:

  2. Open the View for general settings with the following icon in the program settings toolbar:

  3. Activate the Activate ChairsideCAM option.

  4. Save your changes with the following icon:

  5. Restart DentalCAM.

    • DentalCAM starts as ChairsideCAM.

Set up manual STL import

The manual STL import is the default case.

Perform the following steps on each CAM computerClosed The computer that is connected to your machine and which runs DentalCAM and DentalCNC.:

  1. Open the STL import view with the following icon in the main toolbar:

  2. Set the following folder as the root folder:

    <DentalCAM-InstallationFolder>\STLimpExternal

    Example:C:\vhf\DentalCAM_8\STLimpExtern

    On Z4 machines, the installation folderClosed The folder on your hard drive that you installed DentalCAM and DentalCNC in. is always on the C drive:

    ChairsideCAM: Setting STL root folder

    DentalCAM Specifying the root folder

Requirement: You must not use the automatic STL import with a folder different from the default folder.

If you want to use the automatic STL import, perform the following steps on each CAM computerClosed The computer that is connected to your machine and which runs DentalCAM and DentalCNC.:

  1. Open the DentalCAMapplication settings window with the following icon in the main toolbar:

  2. Open the View for general settings with the following icon in the program settings toolbar:

  3. Activate the option Automatically import STL files via the STL import folder.

    More information about the function: Automatically import STL files via the STL import folder

  4. Use the input field Import folder for the automatic STL import method to specify the following directory:

    <DentalCAM-InstallationFolder>\STLimpExternal

    Example:C:\vhf\DentalCAM_8\STLimpExtern

    On Z4 machines, the installation folderClosed The folder on your hard drive that you installed DentalCAM and DentalCNC in. is always on the C drive:

    • Objects sent from TRIOS Design Studio are automatically added to the import list in the STL import view.

Setting up TRIOS Design Studio

You perform the following steps on the CAD computer:

  1. Open TRIOS Design Studio.

  2. In the Produce area, select Machine setup.

     

    • The Machines configuration window opens.

  3. In the Filters area, select the All check box.

  4. Scroll down the list to the entry of the desired machine.

  5. Select Setup for the desired machine.

     

    • If the connection is successful, the dot turns green. For connection problems, see Troubleshooting.

  6. Save the machine configuration with Close.

     

  7. If you want to add more machines to the 3Shape Produce workflow (machine configuration 2), repeat the last 5 steps for each additional machine.

    Example: Add another Z4 machine

Step 3: Use 3Shape Produce

  1. If you use multiple machines in the 3Shape Produce workflow, select the machine in TRIOS Design Studio:

    1. In the Produce area, select Change machine.

    2. In the Machines area, select the desired machine.

      Example: Choose between several Z4 machines

  2. Check that the green dot displays a successful connection to the CAM computerClosed The computer that is connected to your machine and which runs DentalCAM and DentalCNC. of the machine.

    For connection problems see Troubleshooting

     

  3. Select the object you want to export.

  4. Select Send.

     

  5. Only Z4: Connect to the CAM computerClosed The computer that is connected to your machine and which runs DentalCAM and DentalCNC. via remote desktop access.

    Accessing the CAM computer

  6. Switch to the STL import view in ChairsideCAM / DentalCAM.

  7. Select the STL file for editing in ChairsideCAM / DentalCAM:

    • When importing STL manually, select the STL file from the root folder.

      Figure shows ChairsideCAM; Procedure identical at DentalCAM

    • With automatic import, the object is already on the STL import list.

      Figure shows DentalCAM; Procedure not possible at ChairsideCAM

  8. Continue with the order processing in ChairsideCAM / DentalCAM.

Remove machines

  1. Open TRIOS Design Studio.

  2. In the Produce area, select Machine setup.

     

    • The Machines configuration window shows all machines in the 3Shape Produce workflow.

  3. Identify the machine by its serial number (Z4) or by the name of the CAM computerClosed The computer that is connected to your machine and which runs DentalCAM and DentalCNC. (other machines).

  4. Select Remove for the desired machine.

  5. Save the machine configuration with Close.

     

Troubleshooting

If TRIOS Design Studio does not find the CAM computerClosed The computer that is connected to your machine and which runs DentalCAM and DentalCNC. of a machine, do the following:

  1. Check the network:

  2. On the CAM computerClosed The computer that is connected to your machine and which runs DentalCAM and DentalCNC., open Windows Explorer and manually start the 3Shape Produce service in the following folder:

    C:\Program Files\vhf camfacture AG\Produce.Service\>

  3. Turn off and on the incoming firewallClosed Security software which monitors the network data to block harmful data. rule for the 3Shape Produce service on the CAM computerClosed The computer that is connected to your machine and which runs DentalCAM and DentalCNC.:

    1. Open the Windows Defender FirewallClosed Security software which monitors the network data to block harmful data. with Advanced Security application.

    2. Select Incoming Rules in the left column.

    3. In the Incoming Rules area, right-click Produce Service and select Disable Rulefrom the context menu.

    4. Repeat the last step and this time select Activate Rule from the context menu.

  4. Refresh the machine list in TRIOS Design Studio with Refresh.

     

What's next?

You can now edit STL files exported from TRIOS Design Studio using ChairsideCAM or DentalCAM.

To get started, we recommend beginners:

ChairsideCAM: Importing STL files

DentalCAM: Basic workflow