Applies to: DentalCAM & DentalCNC 7.08

Maintaining your machine with DentalCNC

Like any advanced machine, your dental machine requires proper and regular maintenance.

Keeping track of all maintenance tasks for your machine and their corresponding due dates can be a bit tedious. That’s why we implemented a maintenance section into DentalCNC which does the job for you. The maintenance section allows you to do the following:

  • See when the individual maintenance tasks are due
  • Mark them as complete to keep the list up to date
  • Access online guides to help you with the tasks
  • Execute necessary machine functions for individual tasks

The maintenance section showing a list of maintenance tasks

The maintenance section lists all tasks for basic maintenance that can be carried out by any user of the machine. The higher a task is listed, the more urgent it is.

This entry in the separate bottom section reminds you to schedule the next preventive maintenance appointment with customer service in time.

Color indicators

The color indicators in the top left corner of each list entry tell you how urgent the corresponding maintenance task is:

Color Description

Green

No action is currently needed

Yellow

The task will be due soon

Red

The task is due. Carry it out as soon as possible.

Information in the maintenance section

The maintenance section contains the following information:

  • Next maintenance: | This text is followed by the remaining operating hours until the corresponding task is due. If (wet) or (dry) is added to the number of hours, the number only refers to the operating time in the corresponding machining mode (either wet machining or dry machining).

    Example: Next maintenance: 10,0 h (wet) means that the task will be due after 10 hours of wet machining. Dry machining will not affect the remaining hours.

    20.0 h means that the task will be due after 20 operating hours, no matter if you process wet or dry jobs.

    You can find the maximum number of operating hours (“maintenance interval”) for each task in the maintenance table in the machine’s operating instructions.

  • not later than: | This text is followed by the latest date on which the corresponding task is due, independently of the operating hours.
  • Circles The circles visually indicate how many operating hours have passed since the corresponding maintenance task was marked as complete:

Marking maintenance tasks as complete

As soon as you have carried out a maintenance task, you should mark it as complete in the maintenance section. This will keep the list up-to-date.

  • To mark a task as complete and reset the operating hours to the maximum value, select the following icon:
    • The list is updated immediately.

Accessing online guides for basic maintenance tasks

Online guides for basic maintenance tasks are machine-specific Help Articles which contain step-by-step instructions for the corresponding task. An Internet connection is required to view them. The guides are not available for all machines. We plan to add more guides in the future.

You can also find the guides at dentalportal.info. Either use the navigation menu to open the operating instructions for the connected machine or use the search function.

  • To access an online guide for a maintenance task, select the following icon:
    • If a guide is available, the default web browser launches and the corresponding guide displays. Otherwise, DentalCNC displays a corresponding message.

Executing necessary machine functions for individual tasks

Some maintenance tasks are machine-assisted.

Example: The maintenance task Cleaning the collet chuck of the spindle requires the collet chuck to be opened by the machine.

While you can execute all required functions in the Job processing view, you can also do this in the maintenance section for convenience.

  • To execute a machine function for a maintenance task, select the following icon:
    • The machine executes the required function immediately.

The firmware is the internal control software of your machine. New versions may introduce new functions and improve existing ones. New firmware versions come as part of new versions of DentalCNC.

New firmware versions will be automatically installed after a new DentalCAM & DentalCNC version has been downloaded via the automatic update function. In the following cases, you need to update the firmware manually:

  • You do not use the automatic update function.
  • No connected machine was found during the automatic download of the new DentalCAM & DentalCNC version.

You can manually update the firmware of your machine as follows:

NOTICE

Damaging of the control unit when a firmware update is interrupted

If the firmware update is interrupted, the control unit of the machine may become permanently damaged.

  • Only update the firmware if a permanent electrical supply of the machine and the computer is guaranteed.
  • Only update the firmware if the computer's operating system is stable and is free of malware.
  • Only update the firmware if the connection between the computer and the machine is stable. Always use a wired connection during the update.
  • Do not disconnect the machine or the computer from the electrical source nor switch off the machine or computer during a firmware update.
  • Do not close DentalCNC during a firmware update.

If DentalCNC contains a new firmware, you will be prompted to update the firmware after DentalCNC connected to the machine or when you start machining. The firmware update should take 5 – 15 minutes to complete.

  1. To update the firmware, confirm the message. You can cancel the message to postpone the update, but we recommend updating the firmware immediately.
    • A window opens.
  2. In the current window, select the following icon:  
    • The following happens:
      1. DentalCNC updates the firmware of the connected machine.
      2. DentalCNC prompts you to restart the machine.
  3. Switch off the machine at the main power switch.
  4. Wait 10 seconds.
  5. Switch on the machine at the main power switch.
    • The machine references. The machine is ready for operation.

When the tool magazine inserts are worn, they should be exchanged. Afterward, you must drill the tool positions (holes) into the inserts with the machine.

  • Your machine comes with tool magazine inserts as spare parts and with the drill tool.
  • Additional inserts and drill tools are available from customer service.
  • If your machine uses 2 inserts, always replace both inserts together even if only 1 of them is worn. The machine will always drill the tool positions for both inserts.
  1. Have the tool magazine insert(s) and drill tool readily available.
  2. Replace the tool magazine insert(s) as described in the documentation for your machine.
  3. Close the working chamber door.
  4. Open the DentalCNC Application settings. For this, select the following icon in the main icon bar: 
  5. Open the Machine maintenance view. For this, select the following icon in the lower icon bar: 
    • The Machine maintenance view displays.
  6. In the left column, select the following icon:
    • The Drill tool magazine inserts window displays.
  7. Start the drilling process by selecting the following icon: 
    • The following happens:
      1. The spindle moves to the tool change position.
      2. If your machine is equipped with an automatic working chamber door, the door automatically opens.
      3. A dialog window opens.
  8. If your machine is equipped with a manual working chamber door, open the door.
  9. Insert the tool into the collet chuck and hold it in place. Be sure to insert the tool until the tool ring reaches the tip of the collet chuck.

    10.  

  10. Confirm the current message.

    • The collet chuck closes. You can release the tool.

  11. If your machine is equipped with a manual working chamber door, close the door.
  12. Confirm the current message.
    • The following happens:
      1. If your machine is equipped with an automatic working chamber door, the door automatically closes.
      2. The machine drills the tool positions into the insert(s). DentalCNC shows the progress in the Drill tool magazine inserts window.

        3. You can pause the drilling process at any time by selecting the following icon: . In the opening window, you can either resume the drilling process or cancel it completely.

      3. The spindle moves to the tool change position. If your machine is equipped with an automatic working chamber door, the door automatically opens. A dialog window opens.

  13. CAUTION!Wear gloves.

  14. Open the working chamber door.

  15. Hold the tool in the collet chuck in place.

    16.  

  16. Confirm the current message.
    • The collet chuck opens.
  17. Remove the tool from the collet chuck.

     

  18. If your machine is equipped with a manual working chamber door, close the door.
  19. Confirm the current message.
    • The following happens:
      1. If your machine is equipped with an automatic working chamber door, the door automatically closes.
      2. The spindle moves to its default position.

If the machining results are no longer satisfactory, a calibration of the machine may improve them. Calibration includes manufacturing test and calibration specimens with your machine and measuring them.

NOTICE

Deterioration of machining results caused by an incorrect calibration

At delivery, your machine is already calibrated. As long as your machining results are accurate, a new calibration is not necessary. A calibration takes much time and will deteriorate the machining results if it is improperly executed.

  • If the machining results are inaccurate, try adjusting the machining conditions first: Check the fixation and quality of the blank and the condition of the tool.
  • Before calibrating the machine, contact customer service.
  • Be very careful when measuring and entering data during calibration. When in doubt, abort the calibration.

Calibration workflow:

  1. Manufacture and measure a test specimenTest specimens are manufactured with fault compensation activated, which means that the machine is tested under practical conditions. If the measuring values are within tolerance, your machine mechanics are accurate and you do not need to calibrate the machine. If they are out of tolerance, continue with calibrating the machine.
  2. Manufacture and measure a calibration specimen and enter the measuring values into DentalCNCCalibration specimens are manufactured with the error compensation of the machine deactivated, which yields the raw data of the machine mechanics. This data is used to calculate the required error compensation.
  3. Manufacture and measure a test specimenEnsure that the calculated error compensation has improved the manufacturing results. If it hasn't, contact customer service.

Test and calibration specimens may differ across different machine types. You will find images of different test specimens and calibration specimens below:

(a) A calibration/test specimen milled from a disc; (b) A calibration/test specimen made from a block

  • Before calibrating, refer to the documentation of your machine for machine-specific details on calibration and the calibration / test specimen.

DentalCNC 8:

Machine Tool

E3

P300-R2-60

E4

P250-F1-40-T

P200-R1-40

E5

P250-F1-40-T

K5, K5+

R5

S1, S2, S5

P200-R1-40

K4 edition

N4, N4+

P200-R1-35

Z4

P200-R1-35

Other machines are not supported by DentalCAM & DentalCNC 8.

DentalCNC 7:

  • K5, K5+, R5, S1, S2, S5: P200-R2-40
  • K4 edition, N4, N4+: P200-R2-35
  • Z4: P200-R1-35
  • K1 – K4 and 4-02 are calibrated with a calibration plate.

You received a calibration set with your machine which consists of the following components:

  • Designated blanks from which the calibration and test specimens are milled
  • A designated tool for manufacturing calibration and test specimens
  • A micrometer for measuring the calibration and test specimens

Manufacturing calibration and test specimens with DentalCNC is almost the same as machining a standard job, except that you don't create the job with DentalCAM, but directly in DentalCNC.

  1. Open the DentalCNC Application settings. For this, select the following icon in the main icon bar: 
  2. Open the Machine maintenance view. For this, select the following icon in the lower icon bar: 
  3. If you want to machine a calibration specimen, select the following icon in the left column:
  4. If you want to machine a test specimen, select the following icon in the left column:
    • DentalCNC opens the Machining view and adds a job for the test or calibration specimen to the job list.

      • A job for machining a calibration specimen in the job list

  5. Machine the job like any other job. While preparing machining, do the following:
    • Mount / load the calibration blank into the working chamber
    • Insert the calibration tool into the tool magazine of your machine and into the virtual tool magazine in DentalCNC. The tool name is displayed in the default position in the Machining view.
    • The machine manufactures the calibration or test specimen. If you machined a calibration specimen, the Enter measuring values of the calibration specimen window opens.
  6. Measure the calibration or test specimen as described below.

To measure the calibration or test specimen, you need to use a micrometer.

Never use common measuring instruments such as rulers or calipers for measuring calibration or test specimens. These instruments are too imprecise for this task.

If you use the micrometer incorrectly, your measuring values will be imprecise and calibration will fail. Incorrect use of the micrometer is a common cause of machine failure.

The following instructions only apply to the micrometer that was provided with your machine. If you use a different micrometer, refer to its manual.

Overview: Use the supplied micrometer correctly

NOTICE

Damaging of the micrometer or the measured object when using the quick drive incorrectly

If you use the quick drive to move the measuring spindle against the anvil or object, the spindle may move against the object with excessive force, which can damage the object and/or micrometer.

  • Only use the quick drive when the distance between the measuring spindle and the object/anvil is more than 2 mm.
  • If the distance between the measuring spindle and the object/anvil is 2 mm or less, only use the ratchet which has a built-in torque mechanism.

You measure objects with the provided micrometer as follows:

  1. Carefully move the measuring spindle against the anvil:
    1. If the measuring spindle and the anvil are more than 2 mm apart, turn the quick driver clockwise until they are 2 mm apart.

      2 mm distance between the measuring spindel and the anvil

    2. Turn the ratchet clockwise (slowly) until the measuring spindle touches the anvil and doesn’t move any further.
    • You can hear the clicking sound of the torque mechanism. If you continue to turn the ratchet, the distance value on the LCD display shouldn't change.
  2. Press and hold the 'ON/OFF SET' button on the micrometer for more than 2 seconds.
    • The zero point is set, which is indicated by the number '0.000' on the LCD display.
  3. Turn the ratchet counter-clockwise until the measuring spindle and the anvil are 2 mm apart.
  4. Turn the quick drive counter-clockwise until the distance between the measuring spindle and the anvil is big enough to safely position the object between the measuring spindle and the anvil.
  5. Position the object between the measuring spindle and the anvil in such a way that the object touches the anvil's contact surface. Make sure that the object's surface and the anvil's contact surface are parallel to each other. The object should sit flat on the anvil.

    6. Positioning an object between the measuring spindle and the anvil

  6. Carefully move the measuring spindle against the object:
    1. If the measuring spindle and the object are more than 2 mm apart, turn the quick driver clockwise until they are 2 mm apart.
    2. Turn the ratchet clockwise until the measuring spindle touches the object and doesn't move any further.
    • You can hear the clicking sound of the torque mechanism. If you continue to turn the ratchet, the distance value on the LCD display shouldn't change.
  7. Verify that the object or the micrometer is not tilted. If it is, go back to step 3.

    8. A canted object between the measuring spindle and the anvil

    • The correct distance value displays on the LCD display.

Most measuring points on the specimen are marked with symbols:

  • Circles (represented in this document as ●)
  • Bars (represented in this document as |)

The cube in the middle of most specimens is the measuring spot M (referred to as 'cube M'). There may be additional surfaces, cubes and triangles that you need to measure.

In the following you will find labeled images of calibration and test specimens:

Different calibration/test specimen types

  1. Remove the calibration or test specimen from the machine.
  2. Separate the individual pieces of the specimen.
  3. (Recommended) Put the individual parts of the specimen onto a flat surface so that you can use both hands to handle the micrometer.

    4. Placing the calibration/test specimen onto a flat surface

  4. Measure each point at least twice to make sure that the measured values are correct. Record each measuring value on a piece of paper.
  5. (Recommended) Label the object as either a calibration specimen or test specimen with a name and date (i.e. 'calibration – June 2017').
  6. Measure the height and the width of the measuring points which are labeled with circles.

    7. Measuring the height and width of a cube

  7. Measure the height of the measuring points which are labeled with bars.

    8. Measuring the height of a triangle

  8. Measure the height and width of the cube M.

    Measuring the height and width of the cube M

  9. Only when the following points apply, measure the distance between the opposing slanted surfaces:
    • A new Y-end switch or ball screw drive has been installed and the installation instructions direct you to measure these surfaces
    • You measure a calibration specimen

      • This measurement is usually done by the service technician who installed the new Y end switch.

    There are 2 pairs of these surface (A, B) that you need to measure (see the corresponding figure:

    Measuring the slanted surfaces from different views

    10. Measuring the slanted surfaces with a micrometer

  10. If you measured a test specimen, check if you need to calibrate the machine by comparing the measuring values:
    11. Measuring position K4 edition N4 / N4+ Z4 K5 /K5+ R5 S1 / S2 / S5

    Cube ●

    8.00 mm

    ±0.05 mm

    8.00 mm

    ±0.05 mm

    –

    8.00 mm

    ±0.05 mm

    8.00 mm

    ±0.05 mm

    8.00 mm

    ±0.05 mm

    Cube ●●

    8.00 mm

    ±0.05 mm

    8.00 mm

    ±0.05 mm

    –

    8.00 mm

    ±0.05 mm

    8.00 mm

    ±0.05 mm

    8.00 mm

    ±0.05 mm

    Cube ●●●

    8.00 mm

    ±0.05 mm

    8.00 mm

    ±0.05 mm

    –

    8.00 mm

    ±0.05 mm

    8.00 mm

    ±0.05 mm

    8.00 mm

    ±0.05 mm

    Cube ●●●●

    8.00 mm

    ±0.05 mm

    8.00 mm

    ±0.05 mm

    –

    8.00 mm

    ±0.05 mm

    8.00 mm

    ±0.05 mm

    8.00 mm

    ±0.05 mm

    Difference

    Triangle | - Triangle ||

    max. 0.1 mm

    –

    –

    max. 0.1 mm

    max. 0.1 mm

    max. 0.1 mm

    A

    –

    –

    –

    only for calibration

    –

    only for calibration

    B

    –

    –

    –

    only for calibration

    –

    only for calibration

    Cube M

    Height

    Width

     

    8.00 ±0.05 mm

    8.00 ±0.05 mm

     

    8.00 ±0.05 mm

    8.00 ±0.05 mm

    –

     

    8.00 ±0.05 mm

    8.00 ±0.05 mm

     

    8.00 ±0.05 mm

    8.00 ±0.05 mm

     

    8.00 ±0.05 mm

    8.00 ±0.05 mm

    Difference Block | - Block ||

    –

    max. 0.1 mm

    –

    –

    –

    –

    X

    –

    –

    20 mm

    ±0.05 mm

    –

     

    –

    Y

    –

    –

    18 mm

    ±0.05 mm

    –

     

    –

    Z1

    –

    –

    8 mm

    ±0.05 mm

    –

     

    –

    Difference Z2 - Z3

    –

    –

    max. 0.1 mm

    –

     

    –

    Example: The values "Triangle | 7.151mm” and “Triangle || 7.195 mm” differ by less than 0.1 mm (difference: 0.044 mm) and are therefore within tolerance.

    The values “Triangle | 6.845 mm” and “Triangle || 6.946 mm” differ by more than 0.1 mm (difference: 0.101 mm) and are therefore out of tolerance.

    If all measuring values are withing the range of tolerance, a calibration is not necessary. Otherwise, continue with manufacturing and measuring a calibration specimen.

    Never enter measuring values of a test specimen into DentalCNC. This will lead to an erroneous calibration and imprecise manufacturing results.

  11. If you measured a calibration specimen, continue with entering the measuring values into DentalCNC.

After having measured the calibration specimen, you need to enter the measuring values in the Enter measuring values of the calibration specimen window. Which values are required depends on the machine-specific calibration specimen so that you may not need to enter all values that are shown below.

Entering measuring values for calibration

  • If you need information on where the measuring points are and how to measure them, see this figure.
  1. Enter the height and width of all measuring points which are labeled with circles.
  2. Enter the height values of all measuring points which are labeled with bars.
  3. Enter the height and width value of the cube M.
  4. If a new Y-end switch was installed, enter the height values of the slanted surfaces A, B.
  5. To confirm your input, select the following icon:
    • The current window closes. A dialog window opens.
  6. Confirm the current message.
  7. To verify that the calibration was successful, machine a test specimen and measure it.

Before you transport the machine, you must re-install the transport lock that was delivered with the machine. The transport lock prevents the spindle and other components from getting damaged during transport. For proper installation, the spindle needs to be moved to its machine-specific transport position.

You can automatically move the spindle to the transport position as follows:

  1. Install the transport lock as shown in the supplement which was delivered with your machine. They are available in our download section.
  2. Open the DentalCNC Application settings. For this, select the following icon in the main icon bar: 
  3. Open the Machine maintenance view. For this, select the following icon in the lower icon bar: 
  4. Select the following icon:
    • The following happens:
      1. The spindle moves into the transport position.
      2. Z4: The machine shuts down.

In case of incorrect tool measurements during tool changes or after exchanging the measuring key of your machine, it is recommended to verify that the measuring key is working as intended.

There are 2 ways to check the measuring key:

  • Manually by pressing it down and observing if the icon in DentalCNC is highlighted. This can be done by every user.
  • Automatically with the corresponding test function in DentalCNC.

Testing the measuring key manually

  1. Use the documentation for your machine to locate the measuring key.
  2. Make sure that the axes are in default position.
  3. Open the Machining view. For this, select the following icon in the main icon bar: 
  4. Press the measuring key and keep it pressed.
    • The following icon should display in blue:
  5. Release the measuring key.
    • The icon should display in black:
  6. Repeat steps 4 & 5 multiple times and verify that the outcome is always as described.

In the following cases, you need to configure the webcam of the machine:

  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. Select the following icon next to the Webcam selection label:

  4. Select the webcam SMI from the drop-down list at the top of the window.

    5.  

    • The current still image of the webcam displays.

       

  5. Select the depicted icon: 

In case of a LED exchange, the working chamber lighting has to be tested.

  1. Open the DentalCNC Application settings. For this, select the following icon in the main icon bar: 
  2. Open the Machine maintenance view. For this, select the following icon in the lower icon bar: 
  3. Select the following icon:
  4. Test each color of the working chamber lighting For each of the 3 tests, enter the corresponding values in the R, G, B input fields:

    5.  

    		 R G B

    Test “Red”

    255

    0

    0

    Test “Green”

    0

    255

    0

    Test “Blue”

    0

    0

    255
    • During each test, the working chamber lighting shines in the corresponding color.
    • You have tested the working chamber lighting.