DE102005010566B3 - Determination of parameters for controlling dental smelting and casting comprises inputting components of alloy and comparing them with database of comparison alloys, parameters of alloy corresponding most closely being output - Google Patents

Abstract

Determination of parameters for controlling smelting and casting in fine casting work, especially dental applications, comprises: (A) inputting at least the main components of the alloy used and their relative amounts; (B) comparing these with a database of the composition of comparison alloys; determining which comparison alloy corresponds most closely to the alloy being used; and (C) outputting the values of the desired parameters for this alloy. Independent claims are included for (A) equipment for carrying out the method; and (B) smelting and casting apparatus fitted with the equipment.

Description

The The invention relates to a method and a device for determining at least one parameter for controlling a melting and casting program the investment casting technique, in particular the dental technology as well as a suitably designed melting and casting machine.

Are known such melting and casting equipment, for example. From DE 103 03 124 B3 that provide a plurality of casting programs for various proprietary alloys. The user selects an alloy to use and enters an identifier corresponding to the selected alloy on the melting and casting apparatus. The melting and pouring device selects on the basis of the entered identifier for the particular alloy to be used melting and casting program, by means of which the melting and casting process is controlled on the device.

These usual Casting machines are common designed with respect to known alloys / alloy compositions. But as soon as new alloys become available or so far in Practically hardly used alloys should be used, is not regularly for the used alloy melting and casting program to disposal.

Of the The invention is therefore based on the problem, even so far in one such melting and casting device not considered Alloys with a suitable melting and casting program to be able to process.

• a) Einlesen wenigstens der Hauptbestandteile oder aller Bestandteile einer als Schmelzgut zu verwendenden Legierung und der auf alle Bestandteile bezogenen relativen Anteile dieser Bestandteile,
• b) Vergleichen wenigstens der Hauptbestandteile oder aller Bestandteile und deren auf alle Bestandteile bezogenen relativen Anteile der zu verwendenden Legierung mit den jeweiligen in einer mit der Rechnereinheit gekoppelten Datenbank gespeicherten Bestandteilen und deren auf alle Bestandteile bezogenen relativen Anteilen von Vergleichslegierungen,
• c) Bestimmen und Auswählen der Vergleichslegierung(en) mit dem größten Übereinstimmungsgrad hinsichtlich deren Bestandteile und deren relativen Anteile und
• d) Ausgeben eines bzw. mehrerer die ausgewählte(n) Vergleichslegierung(en) kennzeichnenden Parameter(s).

The invention solves this problem by a method for determining at least one parameter for controlling a melting and casting process of the investment casting technique, in particular of dental technology, by means of a computer unit, which comprises the following steps:

• a) reading at least the main constituents or all constituents of an alloy to be used as a melt and the relative proportions of these constituents relative to all constituents,
• b) comparing at least the major constituents or all constituents and their relative proportions of the alloy to be used to the constituents to the respective constituents stored in a database coupled to the computational unit and their relative proportions of comparative alloys relative to each constituent;
• (c) determining and selecting the most similar match (s) in terms of their constituents and relative proportions; and
• d) outputting one or more parameters (s) characterizing the selected reference alloy (s).

• – einer Rechnereinheit,
• – einer mit der Rechnereinheit gekoppelten Eingabeeinheit zum Einlesen wenigstens der Hauptbestandteile oder aller Bestandteile einer als Schmelzgut zu verwendenden Legierung und der auf alle Bestandteile bezogenen relativen Anteile dieser Bestandteile,
• – einer mit der Rechnereinheit gekoppelten Datenbank mit darin gespeicherten Vergleichslegierungen mit wenigstens deren jeweiligen Hauptbestandteilen oder allen Bestandteilen und deren auf alle Bestandteile bezogenen relativen Anteilen,
• – wobei die Rechnereinheit Mittel zum Vergleichen wenigstens der Hauptbestandteile oder aller Bestandteile und deren auf alle Bestandteile bezogenen relativen Anteile der zu verwendenden Legierung mit den jeweiligen in der Datenbank gespeicherten Bestandteilen und deren auf alle Bestandteile bezogenen relativen Anteilen der Vergleichslegierungen und Mittel zum Bestimmen und Auswählen der Vergleichslegierung(en) mit dem größten Übereinstimmungsgrad hinsichtlich deren Bestandteile und deren relativen Anteile aufweist und
• – Mitteln zum Ausgeben eines bzw. mehrerer die ausgewählte(n) Vergleichslegierung(en) kennzeichnenden Parameter(s).

The invention further solves this problem by a device for determining at least one parameter for controlling a melting and casting program of the investment casting technique, in particular of dental technology, with:

• A computer unit,
• An input unit coupled to the computer unit for reading in at least the main constituents or all constituents of an alloy to be used as the molten metal and the relative proportions of these constituents relative to all constituents,
• A database coupled to the computer unit with comparative alloys stored therein with at least their respective main components or all components and their relative proportions relative to all components,
• - wherein the computer unit means for comparing at least the main components or all components and their relative to all constituents relative proportions of the alloy to be used with the respective components stored in the database and their relative to all constituents relative proportions of the comparative alloys and means for determining and selecting the Comparative alloy (s) having the greatest degree of agreement as regards their constituents and their relative proportions, and
• - Means for outputting one or more of the selected (s) comparison alloy (s) characterizing parameters (s).

Further solve the Invention of this problem with a melting and casting apparatus, the one having such device.

By means of the features according to the invention, one or, if appropriate, a plurality of alloys which have the best matches are advantageously selected from a multiplicity of comparison alloys previously stored in a corresponding database including their respective constituents and their relative proportions relative to all constituents. In this way, a melting and pouring program, which was originally designed for a different alloy but is also likely to be suitable for the alloy to be used, can be selected below. In this way, the user of the melting and casting device also Legie Do not use in the melting and pouring unit by depositing a suitable melting and pouring program. The user can thus also use alloys from other manufacturers or novel alloys from the same manufacturer.

Further Thanks to the invention, the consulting effort of the device manufacturer or the alloy manufacturer can be reduced, since the invention also with the device manufacturer or can be used by the alloy manufacturers to respective user, e.g. Dental technician to provide information An alloy should be melted and potted to get the best possible results achieve. The invention thus also achieves an increase in efficiency at the manufacturing companies and not just at the users the melting and casting equipment.

Finally, can the user but also from the selected reference alloy with the largest degree of agreement if he considers it necessary for special reasons. Especially but are also cases considered, where the computer unit is not a special reference alloy choose can, as there are several comparable alloys with the same degree of agreement gives. In this case, according to the invention several comparative alloys issued previously selected for the greatest degree of agreement are.

Prefers becomes the respective degree of agreement determined by the method of least squares. in this connection are the percentage deviations of at least the main components of to be used alloy to corresponding components of the respective Comparative Alloys determined and the amounts of these deviations or the Squares of these deviations added up. The smaller this sum is, the bigger the matches the alloy to be used on the one hand and the respective comparative alloy on the other hand. The comparison alloy with the highest degree of agreement is determined by determining the smallest of these summed deviations or squares of these deviations.

Further These percentage deviations or their are preferred Squares weighted by the respective relative proportion of the respective constituent based on all constituents of the alloy. In this case, alloy components with smaller proportions become less valued than alloying constituents with larger proportions. This procedure has the advantage that the deviations from Alloy components with a small share not to one substantial increase of amount error or the error squares or their sums and thus to a falsification results. For example. could namely a component in an alloy to be used with a relative Proportion of 2% compared a relative proportion of the corresponding constituent in the comparative alloy of only 1% lead to a 100% error. By the aforementioned Weighting of the percentage deviations or their squares, however, can these errors are eliminated or significantly reduced.

Preferably Therefore, only the three to four most common alloy components the respective alloy included in the evaluation, which is also known as Main components can be designated.

When Main ingredients can also only those alloying components are considered, which at least a relative proportion of 5% (to 10%) of all respective alloying constituents turn off.

Of the In this case, the relative proportion can preferably be a relative mass fraction or else be defined as weight fraction or volume fraction, in each case based on all components of the corresponding alloy.

The in the evaluation certain and selected comparative alloy or Comparative alloys with the greatest degree of agreement is output by means of a characterizing parameter which preferably an identifier, in particular code, and / or a Alloy designation, eg a chemical name or a trade mark, is.

Next the output of this characteristic parameter may preferably also a proposal for a casting temperature be issued. Although each comparative alloy is its own casting temperature assigned. However, in case of deviations from the reference temperature also another casting temperature be advantageous, so that in this particularly preferred embodiment a further improved casting can be achieved, in particular with regard to dimensional accuracy the products to be produced, especially in the field of dental technology is of considerable importance.

Especially Preferably, the output of the computer unit is directly connected to the melting point. and casting machine connected, so that on the basis of the / issued, the selected reference alloy characterizing Parameter (s) a melting and casting program for the is provided to be used alloy.

In an alternative embodiment, however, the provided melting and casting pro stored program or the / the output parameters on a data memory, so that these stored data can be read in the melting and casting device again.

at Another particularly preferred embodiment will be or the output parameters or the provided melting and casting program read directly or indirectly into the melting and casting machine.

The inventive method can be trained by additionally reading in a parameter which characterizes the addition of a processing aid. Such a parameter may be, for example, a binary indication exist, whether a flux, such as melt powder added will or not. Furthermore, this could be Parameter also quantitative information, for example about the Amount or time of addition of the processing aid include.

It is further preferred, in addition to read a parameter that has a property of melting and caster, characterized in particular the crucible or the crucible insert. Such a parameter may also consist of a binary statement, for example whether a (certain) crucible insert is used or not. Farther could these parameters also include quantitative information, for example which type of crucible insert (graphite, glassy carbon or similar) is used.

In addition, can preferably a parameter is read in, one during processing characterizes processing specificity of the alloy. Again, it may be a binary or a quantitative indication act. For example, could such a parameter exist in the indication whether the alloy is a Vacuum-Spritzneigung has or not.

It It is particularly preferred to use one or more of the three previously described additionally read parameter when selecting the reference alloy consider. Alternatively, one or more of the output for the selected alloy, characteristic parameters depending on the additional read parameters are modified, for example, reduced or increased.

Further preferred embodiments emerge from the explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings Embodiments.

In the drawings shows:

1 a diagram for explaining a melting and casting process according to the prior art;

2 a diagram for explaining a melting and casting operation according to a first embodiment of the invention and

3 a diagram for explaining a melting and casting operation according to a second embodiment of the invention.

1 shows a schematic representation of the parameter determination for controlling a melting and casting operation according to the prior art, to illustrate the invention with reference to this illustration easier.

In a melting and casting device, as for example in DE 103 03 124 B3 In step S1, the user selects, in step S1, an alloy Leg.X from a set of alloys Leg.1, Leg.2, Leg.3, ..., wherein for each alloy Leg.1, Leg.2, Leg. 3, ... in a control unit SE with connected database DB1 a parameter set PS1, PS2, PS3, ... is stored. The control unit SE then reads from the database DB1 the parameters belonging to the respective parameter set PS1, PS2, PS3,... And controls the melting and casting process on the basis of these parameters. Preferably, a pyrometer for temperature determination can also be configured on the basis of configuration parameters likewise stored in the database DB1 in the respective parameter set PS1, PS2, PS3,... Details of this pyrometer configuration are, for example, in DE 103 03 124 B3 described.

The present invention sets in the range of step S1, i. at the selection of the alloy.

2 illustrates the solution according to the invention. In the right half of the 2 the output of the parameters takes place in step S2 using the database DB1 by means of the control unit SE, subject to a selected alloy Leg.1, Leg.2, Leg.3, ..., which is given to the control unit SE in step S1 has been. This procedure is similar to that associated with 1 explained approach, which is incorporated herein by reference.

In database DB1, however, only a certain number of alloys Leg.1, Leg.2, Leg.3, ... are deposited with corresponding parameters for controlling the melting and / or casting process or for configuring the pyrometer. As soon as an alloy is to be used that is not stored in this database, one of the stored parameter sets PS1, PS2, PS3, ... must be used to control or regulate the melting and pouring process, or to create and enter a new set of parameters. Preferably, however, an existing parameter set PS1, PS2, PS3 is used, which is possibly modified with respect to one or fewer parameters. In particular, such a modification can lie in the change in the casting temperature, which is then also transmitted to the control unit SE in step S1.

The in step S1 selected comparison alloy is determined in the computer unit RE. The computer unit RE receives through Input of the user in step SA the composition or the Components of the alloy to be used, including the relative Proportions of these ingredients based on all components of these Alloy. Common Constituents of alloys used are gold, platinum, palladium, Silver, copper, cobalt, chromium, nickel, molybdenum and iron. Furthermore, in minor proportions minor constituents such as tin, zinc, gallium, indium, Silicon, manganese and niobium occur. In addition, in very small quantities or traces contain other elements in such alloys be.

After this in step SA, these alloying constituents and their relative proportions, preferably as mass fractions, parts by weight or volume fractions, have been communicated to the computer unit RE, compares the computer unit the main components of the alloy to be used (in the present context also referred to as "foreign alloy") with known alloys in the melting and casting apparatus to be used, namely its control unit SE or the associated Database DB1 as well as in the computer unit RE or an associated Database DB2 are stored.

This Comparison takes place, for example, on the basis of the method of the smallest Error squares based on the percentage deviation of the respective Alloy components of the alloy to be used on the one hand and the respective comparative alloy on the other. Here are smaller in size Alloy components different, namely lower considered as quantitatively larger alloy constituents, thus stronger fall into the weight. Preferably, quantitatively smaller alloy components even not at all considered, but only the main components of the respective alloys, where as main components, for example, shares are considered, at least 5% (up to 10%) of the respective composition.

Under Based on eg the method of least squares determined the computer unit RE for each comparison alloy Leg.1, Leg.2, Leg.3 a degree of agreement. The comparison alloy with the highest degree of agreement with the to be used alloy (foreign alloy) is selected and output in step SB, preferably with simultaneous output a preferred pouring temperature.

Provided in this comparison, several comparative alloys with the same highest possible degree of agreement can be found also several comparative alloys, if appropriate together with the preferred casting temperature be issued.

The invention initially focuses on this area of finding a best possible comparison alloy in terms of the conformity of the alloying ingredients and their composition. The found comparison alloy can then either be communicated to the user of the respective melting and casting device, who then enters it into his melting and casting device. This case is in 2 shown. Alternatively, however, as in 3 shown, the comparison of the alloy to be used with the comparative alloys in direct exchange with the melting and casting apparatus are made. This case is in 3 characterized by the solid connections between the computer unit RE and the control unit SE. This type of forwarding of the issued comparison alloy or the read into the control unit SE reference alloy can be done either by wireless or wired communication using a network from a computer, eg PC, to the melting and casting. The exchange can also be accomplished indirectly via a disk. Moreover, in an alternative embodiment, the computer unit RE is provided for finding the best possible comparative alloy directly on the melting and casting device, without a spatial separation takes place.

thanks The invention relates to the use of so-called foreign alloys, i. Alloys that are not from the manufacturer of the melting and casting device or in the melting and casting device not considered Alloys considerably simplified since the user or the melting and casting machine respectively a best possible Melting and casting program to disposal can be made. As a result, the efficiency of melting and casting machines or their use as well as the quality of the products to be manufactured be sustainably improved.

Claims (19)

Method for determining at least one parameter for controlling a melting and casting Process of investment casting, in particular of dental technology, by means of a computer unit (RE), comprising the following steps: a) reading (SA) of at least the main components or all components of an alloy to be used as a melt (Leg.X) and relative to all components relative Parts of these components, b) comparing at least the main components and their relative proportions of the alloy to be used (Leg.X) with the respective components stored in a database (DB2) coupled to the computer unit (RE) and their relative proportions of Comparative alloys (Leg.1, Leg.2, Leg.3, ...), c) Determination and selection of the comparative alloy (s) (Leg.1, Leg.2, Leg.3) with the highest degree of agreement as regards their constituents and their relative proportions; and d) outputting (SB) one or more parameters (s) characterizing the selected reference alloy (s). The method of claim 1, wherein the greatest degree of agreement is determined by a) Determining the percentage deviations at least the main constituents of the alloy to be used corresponding components of each comparative alloy and totaling the amounts or the squares of these percent deviations for each comparative alloy and b) Determining the comparison alloy with the smallest Sum of the amounts or the squares. The method of claim 2, wherein the percentage amount deviations or whose squares are weighted by the relative proportion the particular constituent within the alloy, and in such a way that alloying components are rated lower with smaller shares are used as alloying ingredients with larger proportions. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein considered as main components only such alloying components be at least a relative proportion of 3% of all alloying constituents turn off. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein as main components only those alloying constituents are considered which at least account for a relative proportion of 5% of all alloying constituents. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein In addition to the main components and all other respective alloying components and their relative proportions taken into account become. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the relative proportion is a relative mass fraction, weight fraction or Volume fraction is. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the one selected Alloy characteristic parameters (Leg.X) an identifier, in particular Code, and / or an alloy designation is. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer unit (RE) also outputs a proposal for a casting temperature. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer unit (RE) based on the output parameter and, if necessary the casting temperature a melting and casting program for the too provides using alloy. The method of claim 10, wherein the output one Parameter or the provided melting and casting program is stored on a data memory. The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein the / output parameters or the provided melting and casting program read into a casting machine becomes. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein additionally a parameter is read in which the addition of a processing aid characterized. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein additionally a parameter is read in which is a characteristic of the melting and casting device, characterized in particular the crucible or the crucible insert. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein additionally a parameter is read in, which one in the processing of Alloy processing specific characterizes. Method according to one of the preceding claims 13-15, the additional one read parameter (s) when selecting the comparative alloy considered will be or one or more of the selected alloy output, characteristic parameters depending on one of the additionally read Parameters are modified. Device for determining at least one parameter for controlling a melting and casting program of the investment casting technique, in particular dental technology, with - a computer unit (RE), - A coupled to the computer unit (RE) input unit for reading at least the main components or all components of an alloy to be used as a melt (Leg.X) and the relative to all components related parts of these components, - one coupled to the computer unit (RE) database (DB2) with reference alloys stored therein (Leg.1, Leg.2, Leg.3, ...) with at least their respective main constituents or all constituents and their relative proportions relative to all constituents, wherein the computer unit comprises means for comparing at least the Major constituents or all constituents and their relative proportions relative to all constituents of the alloy to be used with the respective constituents stored in the database (DB2) and their relative proportions of the comparative alloys and means for determining and selecting the comparative alloy (s) with the greatest degree of agreement with respect thereto Bes and having their relative proportions and means for outputting one or more parameters (s) characterizing the selected reference alloy (s). Apparatus according to claim 17 with means for carrying out a Method according to one of the claims 1 to 16. Melting and casting apparatus with a device according to Claim 17 or 18.