6 min read
What a digital workflow replaces
The traditional process of taking an impression, pouring plaster, waiting for it to set and trimming the model takes time and space, and each step can introduce errors. A digital workflow replaces it with four stages: scan, design, print and post-process. The files can be stored, re-printed and shared with a lab instantly.
1. Scan
An intraoral scanner captures the patient's teeth and exports an STL, PLY or OBJ file. Labs without an intraoral scanner can digitize conventional impressions or plaster models with a desktop dental scanner. Clean scans with no gaps save time later.
2. Design
Dental CAD software turns the raw scan into a printable model: it closes the base, adds a model base or hollow shell, and can create removable dies, orthodontic setups or appliances. Hollow models with drain holes use much less resin, which lowers the cost per case.
3. Slice and print
In the slicer, the model is positioned, supported and cut into layers:
- Orientation: models are often printed flat on the plate or tilted slightly, following the resin maker's guidance for your printer.
- Layer height: 50 microns is a common balance of speed and detail for models; finer layers suit dies and small parts.
- Nesting: place several cases on the plate. On MSLA printers the print time depends on height, so a full plate takes roughly the same time as a single model.
4. Wash, dry and cure
After printing, parts are washed in isopropyl alcohol or the manufacturer's recommended solution to remove uncured resin, dried completely and post-cured under UV light for the specified time. Skipping or shortening these steps leaves models tacky and dimensionally unstable.
Tips for a reliable daily workflow
- Keep the printer and resin in a temperature-stable room. Cold resin prints poorly.
- Label each case digitally in the design stage so parts are easy to identify after printing.
- Track the number of prints on each release film and screen, and keep spares ready.
- Write a short standard operating procedure so any team member can run the process.
Build your workflow with local support
Jordan Automation supplies the printing side of the digital workflow in Amman: resin printers, dental-oriented resins, wash and cure stations and spare parts. We can help you set up the printer and your first print profiles. Message us on WhatsApp to get started.
Frequently asked questions
Which file format do dental 3D printers use?
Most slicers accept STL, and many also accept OBJ or 3MF. Intraoral scanners and dental CAD software can export these formats.
Should dental models be printed hollow?
Hollow models with drain holes save resin and reduce cost per case. Solid models are sometimes preferred for dies or when a model must be very rigid.
How many models can I print at once?
It depends on the build plate size. On MSLA printers, filling the plate does not significantly increase print time, so labs usually print several cases per run.