Pin/Block - Nesting a Full Contour Crown

Here we will show you the proper workflow for nesting a Full Contour Crown in a Pinned CAD/CAM Block using an appropriate block fixture or adapter on our machine.

Video Demo of Workflow

Step By Step Instructions

New Job

1. Start by selecting New Job
2. Select a Machine to work with
3. (Optional) Check the toolset that you're using to verify you have the proper dimensions and milling profiles set
   
   
   
4. Select a Material that supports Disc Materials (IE: Emax CAD Block)
5. Select the Disc Fixture
6. Select the position within the fixture that you plan on mounting the block in.
7. Click on the Check Mark to Continue

Import Object

1. Select a single .STL File to import
2. Select a Restoration Type for classification.
3. Click on the check-mark button to move forward in the process.

NOTE: You can also preview the .STL File that is selected at the bottom of the window. If you click on the image, another window will pop-up allowing for rotation and zooming on the preview.

After the Importing your restoration, the CAM will automatically prompt you to the:

Stock Selection

1. Check the Minimum Thickness displayed at the top of the screen - this will help you determine which block your restoration will fit within. 
2. Select the green + (plus) symbol next to the new blank that you would like to use.
3. Select Check Mark to continue.

NOTE: The Minimum Thickness Required value in the top right-hand corner is displayed according to the thickness of the tallest restoration that has been imported into the job.

Nesting

After the stock selection is complete, you can make final adjustments as needed during the nesting phase. (SEE: NESTING BASICS)

If there are no changes needed to the part orientation / support pin placement, etc - you can simply start the calculation process under "Start Mill":

Start Mill

At this stage, the user will have the option to start the calculation. If the machine supports direct milling, MillBox can stream the CNC file to the machine after the first roughing toolpath is calculated. This will allow the machine to start milling virtually immediately following the start of the calculation. If the user chooses to save the toolpath instead, they can click this option:

Based on your strategy configured for CAD Blocks, you may see a similar list of choices:

The user can make their selections for milling based on the above list (choices may vary based on cutting strategy). This allows the user to customize the milling characteristics that will take place during milling

For example, Additional Anatomy milling with smaller tools / Undercut Milling options, etc. For more information SEE: TOOLPATH CALCULATION

After strategy options have been selected, the user will notice the following pop-up window:

NOTE: This window is displayed as a reminder of the tools that will be used for this job. This information may change from one material to the next as different materials may require specific tooling for optimal cutting conditions.

In this window you will find the Tool Slot Numbers in the first column, Tool Life Percentages for each tool and descriptions of the assigned tools. Some machines can track tool life directly in the controller and in this case, the tool-life tracking can be turned off.

MillBox Tracked tool-life

The following window will pop-up if Tool Life Tracking is enabled for the machine

This window prompts the user if they want to apply tool-life to the tools used that are being tracked by MillBox. This gives the user an opportunity to exclude the current calculation from the tool-life tracking. This can be useful for example if the user wanted to calculate but not run actually run the job on the machine.

Residual Material Simulation

Based on the configuration of MillBox, the following window may pop up during calculation:

If "Yes" is selected, a color map will be displayed at the end of the calculation process that will indicate any Residual Material that may be left behind due to tool limitations (IE: if the fossae are designed too narrow for the tool radius to fit, this material will be left un-machined). (SEE: SHOW RESIDUAL MATERIAL)

If the user chose to simulate the residual material, this is what would be displayed after calculation:

Toolpath Complete

The following window will pop-up at the end of the calculation - indicating where the CNC file was output:

You can then navigate to the said directory manually or simply use the TOOLS > TOOLPATHS button to open this directory: