Are you an open systems candidate?

If you can answer "yes" to the three questions below, then open architecture CAD/CAM is your best choice.

Determination of whether a lab should pursue open system architecture is a function of CAD/CAM knowledge, preparedness to adopt some level of integrator responsibility, and risk preparedness.


KNOWLEDGE

Do you have suitable integrator skills? This requires either learning, or recruiting, or partnering with an experienced integrator in the dental domain. These skills should include;
• Familiarity with computer systems, network domains, file types (specifically 3D data) and use of application programs.
• An understanding of scanning, Computer Aided Design (CAD), and manufacturing techniques such as NC programming and milling, or rapid prototyping (additive manufacture).
• Ability to define required technical specifications and interfaces, and test those specifications in a production application.
• Shop-floor performance tracking and problem resolution.

PREPAREDNESS

Do you have the desire to become involved in the aforementioned knowledge topics for the benefit of the business, and be fault-tolerant to early implementation issues?
"Rome wasn't built in a day" is a term which comes to mind. Success typically will take more work than the easy route of buying into a closed system.

RISK PREPAREDNESS

Do you embrace the risks that are inherently a part of putting together an open-architecture system?
With thorough research, and adequate purchase specifications, buying open system components is low risk. Without thorough research, it can be a very expensive proposition. If you are prepared to write-off the occasional error, you are a much better candidate. If you are strongly risk averse - and like "cookie-cutter" solutions, then this is not the environment.

- Mervyn Rudgley

3M™ ESPE™ Lava™ Chairside Oral Scanner (C.O.S.).

3D Systems Corporation, a leading provider of 3-D Modeling, Rapid Prototyping and Rapid Manufacturing solutions, announced that 3M has selected 3D Systems’ Viper™ Pro SLA® technology for the digital production of dental models. This Rapid Manufacturing platform will seamlessly integrate with the soon-to-be-released 3M™ ESPE™ Lava™ Chairside Oral Scanner (C.O.S.).

Under an engineering development agreement, 3D Systems is co-developing a proprietary Rapid Manufacturing methodology for the production of accurate, durable models of individual teeth and arches with crisp resolution that combines the 3M ESPE Chairside Oral Scanning technology with the Viper™ Pro SLA® System and a new proprietary Accura® SL Material. Selected by 3M for its accuracy, repeatability, detail and production capacity, the manufacturing capable Viper™ Pro SLA® System converts proprietary materials and composites into solid cross-sections, layer by layer, until three-dimensional models are built.

Additionally, 3D Systems and 3M ESPE developed a proprietary new material specifically for this high-volume, high-resolution application. The new Accura® Material exhibits high detail, higher durability and offers superior resolution and precision. 3M ESPE will introduce the Lava™ C.O.S. to dentists in North America and Europe in 2008. The Lava™ C.O.S. will provide an alternative to the traditional dental impression process and enable the high-speed 3-D motion capture of tooth anatomy used to create PFM and all-ceramic crowns and bridges manufactured by dental labs

BioCAD - The Red Eagle Landed

Press Release: September 7, 2007 - Dentistry is in full revolution, billions are spent each year. BioCad took the digital dental CAD/CAM initiative. The Québécois Company in less than seven years became the most advanced research center and production of prostheses and dental implants in North America.
Today, BioCad inaugurates new buildings blazing in the technological Park of Quebec. A masonry of 12,000 square feet built at the cost of $5 million and equipped with the best robot-like tools of the planet. Distinguished guests from every continent ventured to Quebec for the inauguration of BioCad for lectures by Dr. Ady Palti (Baden-Baden, Germany), president of the International Congress of Oral Implantology (ICOI) and Jean Robichaud, Master Dental Technician and founder of BioCad.




Gabriel Robichaud, Projects Director, in front of the new BioCad world corporate building.









Jean Robichaud, a Master Dental Technician, founded BioCad with his sons Bernard and Gabriel. In the mid nineties, realizing that automation is the means of accelerating any processes, Jean placed himself ahead of curve to automate the manufacture of prostheses and implants.

At the end of seven years, BioCad “robotized not only the manufacturing process of the dental prostheses, but its team of engineers conceived ImplantCad the most sophisticated bar, abutments and crown & bridge CAD/CAM provided with a 3D scanner which, in less than 10 minutes, can scan a 3D image of the patient dentitions by utilizing impression provided by the dentist. In itself, it is revolutionary”, continues Mr. Robichaud, “Because up to now it was done manually. However, due to the shortage of dental lab technicians, our solution makes it possible to save time, money, while ensuring a precision of the implants within a micron” (a measurement of tens of time smaller than a hair). Thus, with a simple click of mouse, a dental lab technician anywhere in the world can transmit a 3D image to BioCad and in less than one day BioCad will mass customize production of the prostheses, bars or custom abutments.

According to Gabriel Robichaud, “BioCad clients are the dental laboratories. A market which in 10 years has expanded where consumers are more educated and concerned with dental esthetics.”
Today, bars, customized abutments and prostheses are in great demand at the BioCad milling center fully equipped with milling Swiss and German equipment. “These titanium monobloc frameworks, or ImplantCad bars, are highly accurate because they are CAD/CAM generated and seamless since there is no welding of segments”, specifies Mr. Robichaud.
BioCad aims to be the world implantology leader. “ BioCad has already a number of agreements, but it is only tip of the iceberg, affirms Gabriel Robichaud, since BioCad will continue its worldwide renowned implantology research and the development.”
BioCad ImplantCad, the most comprehensive dental CAD/CAM with bar design, custom abutments, coping, and crown & bridge design to launched September 7th 2007. The custom abutment module is due to be released October 2007 for Canada and the full product is geared to be launched 1st Quarter of 2008 for the USA to coincide with Lab Day at the Chicago Mid-Winter.
For Additional information please visit www.biocad.us, e-mail implantcad@biocad.us or call 1-888-683-8435

Eli's aka the maven brain

"Eli's aka maven brain is like a computer....he has this constant picture of a desk top floating around in his head...all the files/projects are in their little folders some open some minimized in case he gets that one phone call....at times they are all open at once....no...he doesn't crash...he very carefully closes the ones that are important and begins to calculate the urgent....then all of the sudden something new comes in as a pop up....for a minute he scrambles to find the words...he takes a breath...screen saver...breath...then the information starts coming out....knowledge beyond belief...it becomes one of the moments when you are just amazed by what the computer/I mean brain /I mean amazing what he knows and can do....he never seems to be overloaded he just reboots and in seconds he is magically on once again...."

By Robin

Ten Trade Show Exhibit Best Practices

Is now a good time to spend on a trade show exhibit? Regardless of the economic conditions or competitive landscape, there are many tactics your small business can use to ensure a winning trade show. Your 10 best trade show exhibit tactics:

Ten Trade Show Exhibit Best Practices

Pick an offbeat show. Sometimes an unrelated show to your target market can be the best exposure opportunity. Choose unrelated shows, and stand out, making sure the demographics are correct.

Avoid trade show company hype. Companies running the show may over-hype their event. Talk to the businesses who have attended several trade shows.
Sponsored Links
Tradeshow Displays
Looking for Tradeshow Displays? Browse tradeshow display listings.
www.tradeshow-display.info

$565 Pop-Up Display
Great Price on a USA Made Pop-Up Free Shipping & Lifetime Warranty
www.displaysandexhibits.com

Buy Trade Show Displays
Any Budget, Any Size, Any Style. Fast turnaround, affordable design.
store.tradeshowdirect.com
Use this information to guide your trade show exhibit attendance decision.


Never exhibit at a new trade show. New trade shows are untested venues. Small businesses have limited time and money to experiment on unknowns. Save your cash for the regular, proven shows in your industry.


Focus on quality. Invest in shows that reach the key decision-makers of your target market.


Create a buzz. Months prior to the trade show, spend time informing existing clients and your market of the upcoming show. Use the show as a platform for a new product or service launch.


Be an attendee-not an exhibitor. If the budget is tight this year, don't spend on trade show exhibits. Capitalize on the trade show by being a speaker or a panel expert. This will add credibility to your business and attract potential leads.


Partner with the trade show`s management team. Good trade show organizers will want your business to have success and come back next year. Contact the management team for help with developing an appealing booth, staff scheduling, and marketing campaigning prior to the show kick-off.


Train your trade show team. Trade shows are unlike other sales environments. Limited time and attention of attendees requires quick qualifying, and lead generating tactics. Make sure your staff is prepared and has a clear goal for each day.


Call them while they're hot. Sales staff frequently make the mistake of contacting trade show leads, months after the show. Make sure your sales staff have extra time and incentive to follow-up with all leads within weeks of your trade show exhibit.


Make your business newsworthy. Use drama and flair to have your small business stand above the competition.

Trade shows still continue to be big business for all businesses. According to The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), business-to-business spending for trade shows is third to advertising and promotion. In a world of websites, emails, and voice mails, trade shows offer one of the true opportunities to build relationships with face to face contact. Something every business can use a little more of.

Defining NDT

Also known as Non Destructive Evaluation (NDE), NDT refers to the method of examining materials and components in order to identify and quantify defects and degradations in their material properties before they result in failure. The aim of NDT is to ensure the safe utilization of engineering structures, as well as to ensure product quality and performance upon production. To put it simply, NDT encompasses techniques to evaluate defects in objects without having to physically break them up to test them. This is achieved through a number of non-invasive measurement techniques that draw their origin from areas as diverse as medicine, geophysical prospecting, sonar and radar.

NDT inspection techniques are essential tools toward ensuring quality assurance in a host of applications. These techniques are required right from product or material development stage, through manufacture and inspection at final application level. Applications for NDT range from inspection of aircrafts, automobiles, railway, foundry applications, to defense, nuclear power plants, oil pipelines and rigs. NDT is also essential in inspection of welds and detection of cracks, flaws and defects at surface and subsurface levels. Inspection of such flaws and defects is paramount as avoidance or inadequate NDT inspection could potentially end in catastrophic consequences. These could range from wastage of material, time and other resources to even endangering safety of human lives and the environment.

The use of NDT is thus taking on greater significance in today's market scenario due to the following reasons:
• Increasing concern on impact of products and services on the safety of human lives and the environment;
• Stringent regulatory edicts and standards governing quality of materials, products and services;
• Competitive market conditions forcing end-user organizations to identify means to optimize costs; and,
Growing focus on quality in emerging Asia Pacific and East European markets to cater to needs of domestic and international demand.

Over the years, the emphasis of NDT has moved from being a qualitative method aimed only for defect identification, towards a more quantitative tool. Most of the leading NDT techniques typically are labor intensive in nature and thus depend considerably upon the skill levels of technicians performing inspection. The move toward quantitative NDT has meant increasing statistical trending for identifying residual life of assets as well as reduction in defects on the production line. This growing importance toward the quantitative analysis has necessitated the effective capture, storage, analysis and reporting of NDT test results, thus impacting the evolution of the various NDT product types. Before understanding more about the product and technology trends in this market, let us understand the various NDT techniques that have governed the development of these equipment.

NDT Techniques

There are a number of NDT techniques that have been developed over the years. As mentioned earlier, most of these techniques trace their origin to non-invasive measurement methodologies. As is the case in other industries, each of these techniques is constantly evolving to match the needs of the developing end-user markets. Each technique has its set of benefits, as well as limitations, and the most suitable technique to be used depends upon the physical property of the material to be tested. Chart 1.1 provides a view of the leading NDT techniques used in the NDT market.



Ultrasonic Inspection

The Ultrasonic inspection process involves transmission of sound waves of short wavelength at high frequencies in order to identify flaws and/or measure the thickness of materials. An ultrasonic instrument works with the principle of sending a pulsed beam of high-ultrasound from a handheld transducer, which is placed upon the surface of the object being tested (also known as specimen). The sound waves (or echo) from the pulse that returns to the transducer is displayed upon the screen of the Ultrasonic equipment, presenting the amplitude of the pulse and the duration taken for return to the transducer. By measuring this sound that bounces back through the thickness of the specimen, a trained operator can identify defects as well as calculate the flaw-size, distance and reflectivity.

Surface Inspection

As the name suggests, surface inspection refers to the method of inspecting the surface or near-surface of materials or the object, using inspection techniques towards identifying flaws, cracks and other defects. Surface inspection can be basically classified as:
• Liquid penetrant Inspection (LPI) - Also known as dye penetrant inspection, this method aids in revealing surface breaking flaws by bleeding out of a colored or fluorescent dye from the flaw. LPI works on the principal of capillary action, and involves stages such as cleaning the surface to be inspected, application of penetrant, clearing out excess penetrant and application of developer to display defects through regular white light, or ultraviolet black light for fluorescent penetrants.
• Magnetic particle inspection (MPI) - This is used in inspection of ferromagnetic materials such as steel and iron. This is based on the principle that magnetic lines of force (flux) would get distorted by the presence of a flaw and thus reveal its presence. MPI involves application of fine iron particles to the area under examination, and measuring the variations once a magnetic field is applied.

Eddy Current Testing

Eddy current test is an electromagnetic technique primarily performed on conductive materials. It can be used for identifying cracks, as well as rapidly sorting small components for flaws, size and/or material variations. This technique works with the principal of bringing an energized coil near the surface of a metal component to generate eddy currents into the specimen. The currents develop magnetic field that typically opposes that of the original magnetic field, and the presence of flaws or variations affects the impedance in the coil. Measuring this change and displaying it aids in identifying the nature of the flaw or material condition.

Visual Inspection

At its most basic level Visual inspection can be performed by the naked eye of the operator. Visual inspection refers to the examination of surfaces using direct viewing or low magnification techniques. A number of products such as light sources and video display units such as borescopes and videoscopes are used toward inspecting an object or surface visually. These equipment are further affixed to a processing unit where the images can be processed using a software and interpreted accordingly. The visual inspection process is particularly of use in inspection of surfaces with complex geometries by using flexible borescopes or videoscopes.

Radiography

Radiography involves the process where radioactive rays are directed at the object to be inspected, to pass through it and the resulting image is captured on a film. This film is in-turn processed and image displayed as a sequence of grey shades between black and white. Radiography encompasses sources such as X-rays, Gamma rays as well as newer methods such as real time radiography, computed radiography (CR) and computed tomography (CT). Considering the radioactive nature of this technique, special protective care has to be taken by the technician taking the radiography measurements to avoid exposure and the resultant harmful side effects.

Voxels, volume rendering and volume graphics

Volume rendering, or more generally spoken volume graphics, is a sub-specialty of 3D computer graphics which is concerned with the discrete representation and visualization of objects represented as sampled data in three or more dimensions. A volume/voxel data set is a three-dimensional array of voxels. The term voxel is used to characterize a volume element; it is a generalization of the notion of pixel that stands for a picture element.




Medical CT/NMR scanners are a typical and widely known source of voxel data.


Volume graphics or volume rendering has inherent advantages for applications needing visualization of irregular objects, or where the interior structure is important, or where high level of details and realism is essential - e.g., representations of the human body. Volume graphics is also the choice for CGI manufacturers needing true physics based models of real world phenomena.

While todays widely used 3D computer graphics uses polygonal meshes to represent an object by its surface, only volume graphics uses voxels - 3D or volumetric pixels - as basic element to represent not only the surface but also the entire inner of an object.

Volume graphics visualization today is superior to polygon based 3D graphics in means of image quality and performance when highly complex objects with finest details have to be visualized.


A volume data set is built up from voxels on a regular 3D grid.