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Automated dental thermoforming

What is a clear aligner?

Orthodontic clear aligner treatment is experiencing considerable growth worldwide. This rising demand for automation in the process chain for dental aligner production.

One of the essential parts of the process is thermoforming. Dental thermoforming machines work by applying heat and pressure to a plastic sheet which is positioned on top of the 3D model printed specifically for that customer.

Professionals in the sector may find some challenges to achieve a well-defined aligner, using different plastic materials, increasing production, or improving traceability.

Automated dental thermoforming

After analysing all these constraints faced by aligner producers and taking advantage of our more than 40 years of experience in thermoforming and blister machinery, Hamer has launched a new automatic system for in-line thermoforming of dental aligners in which we offer the possibility of integrating vision and laser marking systems.

Within this new dental line, we offer two different solutions with several configurations available on each of them: TVP12 automatic line for medium productions and TVP25 for large productions. These lines allow thermoforming between 100 and 1,300 aligners/hour.

Automation benefits

This innovation offers many advantages for manufacturers of dental aligners compared to manual forming machines, among them, it is worth mentioning:

Benefits

Material cost savings of up to 50% by replacing the pre-cut sheet with a film roll.

Allows the use of different types and thicknesses of film.

Thermoforming of the aligner at 10 bar pressure, which allows for improved definition of the aligner.

Machine handled by a single operator.

Possible integration of additional systems such as vision cameras for code reading, laser markers, or cutting machines.



Automated productions from 100 to 1,300 aligners / hour

Plastic Reel


Production process of the clear aligner

We offer customised solutions for all dental aligners manufacturers who wish to automate the line to increase production.

In partnership with suppliers along the entire process chain and considering the most important characteristics of each process we have developed a solution to get the best aligner quality in the market.

Integrated processes in the Hamer system

1

DENTAL SOFTWARE

  • Intraoral scanner
  • Diagnose
  • Smile design
2

Manufacturing OS

  • Automated Data Preparation
  • Production Process Management
  • Full Process Traceability
3

3D PRINTING

  • Printing of the 3D model
  • Code printing
4

MATERIALS

  • Film reels in different materials, thicknesses and widths
5

CODE READING BY CAMERA ON THE 3D MODEL

  • Code detection for traceability
  • Advanced multi-camera reading
  • Communication to PLC
6

THERMOFORMING

  • Loading of 3D model
  • Code reading of the 3D model
  • Film heating by parameters control
  • Thermoforming
  • Flexible punching/cutting station
  • Ejection of the product by pick&place or robot system
hamer
7

LASER MARKING

  • Identification of the 3D model via Software connection
  • Marking on the molar side of the thermoformed film for customer distinction
8

TRIMMING

  • Trimming of the individual aligner
  • Detachment of the 3D model from the aligner

Trusted Partners

Dental Aligner Forming Machine TVP 12

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Dental Aligner Forming Machine TVP 25

termoformadora alineadores dentales

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