Application settings of DentalCNC

• From the Language drop-down list, select the desired user interface language.

If you activate this option, DentalCNC will automatically launch every time you (re-)start your CAM computer The computer that is connected to your machine and which runs DentalCAM and DentalCNC.. If you use the Z4, you need to activate this option for the automatic connection process to work.

If you use a different machine, you may want to activate this option if it is more convenient for you.

• If you want the machine to remove the coarse dust from the blank after machining using compressed air, activate the Blow off blank after machining when manually changing blanks option.
  When using the blank changer Machine component which stores multiple blanks in a magazine and which can automatically load them into the working chamber.. When using the search, use a blank changer or a blank magazine instead, the machine will always blow off the blanks before they are automatically unloaded into the blank magazine Part of the blank changer in which you store the blanks for automatic loading.. Therefore, this option only applies to machines without a blank changer Machine component which stores multiple blanks in a magazine and which can automatically load them into the working chamber.. When using the search, use a blank changer or a blank magazine instead and to machines with a blank changer Machine component which stores multiple blanks in a magazine and which can automatically load them into the working chamber.. When using the search, use a blank changer or a blank magazine instead that allow a manual blank change.
• After machining, the spindle moves above the blank and blows it off with the air nozzles.

If you reset tool life values, you usually exchange the corresponding tool at the same time. DentalCNC can assist you with this by automatically unloading the old tool from the tool magazine and loading the new tool into the appropriate tool magazine position. In this case, you only need to manually insert the new tool into the collet chuck of the spindle. This is useful if you do not want to bother with finding the right tool in the tool magazine and inserting the new tool.

• If you want to automatically load tools when resetting the tool life, activate the Load tools when resetting the tool life option.

Cleaning your machine is very important for a long service life.

• If you want DentalCNC to be reminded regularly that cleaning is due, activate the Cleaning reminder option.

The MultiJob function allows you to machine multiple jobs with the same ID using only 1 blank.

• To activate the Multijob function, activate the Allow MultiJob processing option.

Keeping track of tool life values is one of the major functions of DentalCNC. For this to work, DentalCNC needs to know the maximum expected life for each tool type so that the application can calculate the remaining tool life for an individual tool.

The formula is:

Maximum tool life — Operating time = Remaining tool life

You can manually enter the maximum tool life for each tool type in the Tool list in the DentalCNC settings.

In addition, DentalCNC can calculate the maximum tool life based on the maximum tool life values which have been achieved in the past.

• If you want DentalCNC to calculate the maximum tool life for each tool type, activate the Calculate maximum tool life automatically option.
• Every time you reset the tool life of a tool, DentalCNC uses the operating time that was actually achieved with the tool to re-calculate the maximum tool life of the corresponding type. The application updates the tool list accordingly.

You can manually overwrite tool life values which DentalCNC calculated, but as long as the Calculate maximum tool life automatically option is activated, the application will overwrite the manually adjusted values every time you reset the corresponding tool life.

Jobs are removed from the job list in the machining view after they have been machined, but their data are not immediately removed from the CAM computer The computer that is connected to your machine and which runs DentalCAM and DentalCNC.. This enables you to restore machined jobs via the job archive so that they display in the job list again. As job data take up a significant amount of disc space, DentalCNC automatically removes the data after a specific time period. You can specify this time period in the general application settings of DentalCNC.

• From the Storage period for machined jobs in days drop-down list, select the number of days after which DentalCNC should delete the job data from the CAM computer The computer that is connected to your machine and which runs DentalCAM and DentalCNC..
• After the selected number of days, DentalCNC automatically deletes data of machined jobs from the CAM computer The computer that is connected to your machine and which runs DentalCAM and DentalCNC.. The corresponding jobs still display in the job archive, but you can no longer restore them.

By default, the vacuum sensor of machines which require an external air extraction system is calibrated when you open the working chamber door. If the suction unit is switched on during this calibration, the calibration will yield incorrect values. This will lead to incorrect vacuum monitoring.

Central extraction systems cannot be controlled by the machine or the user. If your machine is connected to such a system, you must deactivate vacuum sensor calibration.

• To deactivate vacuum sensor calibration, activate the Central suction available option.
• To calibrate the vacuum sensor:

1. Disconnect the central extraction system from the machine.
2. Deactivate the option.
3. Open the working chamber door

By default, DentalCAM stores the calculated job data in the CNCTransfer folder. DentalCNC uses the data in this folder to machine the jobs. You can change the folder e.g., to store all calculated job data in a network folder.

• Enter the folder for the calculated job data into the Folder for CAM data input field. Alternatively, select the following icon to the right of the input field to open a file browser to navigate to the desired folder:

In order to control your machine, DentalCNC needs to know the correct USB port number. If you use the CAM computer The computer that is connected to your machine and which runs DentalCAM and DentalCNC. with only 1 machine, finding the port number is usually only required once upon installation of the machine and manufacturing software Term for the software package consisting of DentalCAM and DentalCNC..

In most cases, DentalCNC can automatically determine the port number without manual configuration.

1. Make sure that the machine is properly installed and switch it on.
2. Select the following icon next to the Port number input field:


Determining the port number

• If DentalCNC is able to determine the port number, the number displays in the Port number input field. The machine references.

If your machine has an Ethernet port, you need to enter the machine's Ethernet address (also called MAC address) into the Machine Ethernet address input field.

Read more about configuring machines with an Ethernet port.

If you want to use a disc again to manufacture additional objects from it, it is important to mount the disc in the exact same position in the working chamber. To make this easier for you, the machine can mark the disc on the right-hand side with 2 small holes. When you re-mount the disc, make sure that the holes are in the same position as when you removed the disc.

A disc marked with holes which make re-mounting easier 

• If you want the machine to mark discs, activate the Mark discs for safer remounting option.

If your machine controls the suction unit, DentalCNC can automatically switch on the device when the working chamber door is open (recommended). The documentation for your machine contains information on if and how the machine can control the suction unit.

• If you want DentalCNC to switch on your suction unit when the working chamber door is open, activate the Activate the suction device when opening the working chamber door option.

• Name

  The tool match code.

• D

  The cutting edge diameter in millimeters

• Tool geometry

  The tool geometry

• h

  The maximum tool life as a decimal value in hours

• T (CAM)

  A unique identification number that is shared between DentalCAM and DentalCNC.

• L sz

  The length of the tool shank from top to the ring in millimeters.

• Press down

  See below.

• L

  The length of the tool in millimeters

Keeping track of tool life values is one of the major functions of DentalCNC. For this to work, DentalCNC needs to know the maximum expected life for each tool type so that the application can calculate the remaining tool life for an individual tool.

The formula is:

Maximum tool life — Operating time = Remaining tool life

You can manually enter the maximum tool life for each tool type in the Tool list in the DentalCNC settings.

In addition, DentalCNC can calculate the maximum tool life based on the maximum tool life values which have been achieved in the past.

You need you specify the maximum tool life as a decimal value using a decimal comma (not a decimal point).

• Enter the desired maximum tool life value into the h column of the tool table and press Enter.

When the machine unloads tools into the tool magazine, these may not be completely pushed into the inserts. As a result, the ring of the affected tools is extremely stressed when the machine loads them into the collet chuck again.

To prevent this from happening, the machine can press down tools before loading them into the collet chuck.

• To activate the press down function for specific tool types, activate the desired check boxes in the Press down column.

By default, the press down function is activated for all tool types. We recommend keeping it activated.

In the Machine data view, the license key, machine serial number and number of control unit display (see figure above).

Machine serial number

Number of control unit or product key

Product keys and control unit serial numbers are mutually exclusive

Either a product key or a serial number is stored on the control unit.

Product keys and serial numbers are not identical.

• Serial numbers are stored on legacy control units.

• Product keys are stored on current control units.

  They are printed on a label on the control unit.

  

  Example: Product key label

You can also check the license status which indicates whether the applications are properly licensed:

Checking the license status

The license status consists of the following entries:

• Upper entry DentalCNC license status
• Lower entryDentalCAM license status

There are 2 license statuses:

• OKThe program is properly licensed.
• NOKThe program is not licensed.

For more licensing information, see here.

For many machines, extra equipment Physical component which must be obtained separately and which adds new functionality to your machine. is available which increases the range of blank types that you can process; e.g., a block holder for machines which are equipped with a disc holder at delivery. Often, this extra equipment Physical component which must be obtained separately and which adds new functionality to your machine. needs to be unlocked before corresponding jobs can be manufactured with DentalCNC.

Beside the unlocking option in the Machine data view, DentalCNC asks for an unlock code as soon as you start machining a job which requires extra equipment Physical component which must be obtained separately and which adds new functionality to your machine.. In these cases, all information given here apply as well.

You unlock extra equipment Physical component which must be obtained separately and which adds new functionality to your machine. as follows:

1. Have the unlock code that you received with the extra equipment Physical component which must be obtained separately and which adds new functionality to your machine. readily available. If the unlock code is missing, contact customer service.
2. Make sure that DentalCNC has established a connection to the correct machine.
3. If you want to unlock extra equipment Physical component which must be obtained separately and which adds new functionality to your machine. in the Machine data view, activate the check box for the corresponding extra equipment Physical component which must be obtained separately and which adds new functionality to your machine..
• A window opens. DentalCNC prompts you to enter the unlock code.
4. Enter the unlock code that you received with the extra equipment Physical component which must be obtained separately and which adds new functionality to your machine. and press Enter.
• If the unlock code is valid, DentalCNC unlocks the extra equipment Physical component which must be obtained separately and which adds new functionality to your machine. for the connected machine.
5. If the unlock code is invalid, verify that you actually ordered the extra equipment Physical component which must be obtained separately and which adds new functionality to your machine. for the connected machine and that the unlock code you entered is correct. If the unlock code is still invalid, contact customer service.

Tool change can take place automatically via the tool magazine or manually via the collet chuck. Since each tool position can be configured individually, automatic and manual changes are possible in parallel.

1. Make sure that the correct tools are loaded into the corresponding virtual tool magazine positions.
2. To enforce a manual tool change for a certain tool magazine position, select the following icon in the corresponding line:
• The icon turns blue. When a tool is required from the corresponding tool position, the spindle moves into the change position and DentalCNC prompts you to manually insert the tool into the collet chuck.

• To activate the automatic tool change, select the following icon in the corresponding line:
• The icon turns black. The machine loads the tool from the corresponding tool magazine position.