Delcam to show dental CADCAM in China

Delcam will demonstrate its full range of CADCAM software for the dental industry in China at the South China Dental Exhibition to be held in Guangzhou from March 29th to April 1st. The latest versions of the DentCAD dental design software and the DentMILL dental machining system will be on display, together with the PartMaker CAM software for the manufacture of dental screws and instruments.

The 2010 version of DentCAD includes a completely new interface, an integrated data management module, an expanded library of standard tooth designs and improved STL file output for rapid prototyping equipment, as well as a number of enhancements to the design options, while the new DentMILL has additional five-axis machining options.

The improved DentCAD interface features a reduced number of toolbars to allow the maximum screen space for design, while the icons have been made bolder and clearer. Even dental technicians with limited experience of computer-aided design will find the software easy to learn and to use.

The new data management module makes it easier to record the details of the patient and dentist, and the restoration and material type etc. It enables a smooth process flow between the scanner used to collect the initial data, DentCAD and DentMILL.

Among the design enhancements is the automatic creation of a prep-line as soon as the restoration design is started in DentCAD. The prep-line is the most critical area of the design as it marks the border between the tooth and the gum, and so determines the accuracy of the fit of the restoration. The automatically-generated line can be edited by the user if required.


The extra five-axis machining options in DentMILL will make it easier to program the manufacture of dental bars, implant bridges and customised abutments. In addition, the previous options for the production of copings, bridges and abutments in ceramics and titanium have been enhanced. In particular, the ability to use multithreading technology has reduced calculation times for users with multi-processor computers.

As well as broadening the range of dental restorations that can be produced, the use of five-axis machining helps to reduce material wastage, minimise hand-finishing operations by removing undercut regions, and give more flexibility when machining difficult parts and materials such as hard-state Zirconia.

PartMaker is Delcam’s dedicated machining software for the programming of turn-mill equipment and Swiss-type lathes. Using PartMaker rather than manual programming helps to reduce set-up times, while the unique synchronisation options keep cycle times to a minimum. The machines are used extensively in the dental and medical industries for the manufacture of items including dental screws, prosthesis and operating equipment.