[Research of tool-path generation algorithm for NC machining dental crown restoration]

Seeing that the manual method to restore tooth has the disadvantages such as long "lead-time", assurance of quality highly depending on operator's technology, and real-time cure difficulty met by lots of dental patients coming up for tooth restoration, we put forward an algorithm of tool-path generation based on STL data model for roughing dental restoration. The algorithm can reconfigure the STL data of dental crown restoration quickly, can generates the multi-level offset wire-loop by the use of horizontal plane cutting triangle facets; and then on the basis of offset wire-loop, it can plan Zigzag and follow the contour machining tool path. The algorithm has been applied to Dental CAM software, through simulation machining, the result shows that it can not only generate interference-free tool path, but also save a lot of "lead-time" for dental restoration. Accordingly, the algorithm is of great value for reference in clinical application.