Coherent, a manufacturer of laser-based technologies, and exocad, a CAD/CAM software developer and supplier for dental applications, have announced a collaboration aimed to improve the digital workflow for dental laboratories.
Digital platforms are becoming increasingly important for innovative and modern dental practices and laboratories as they seek to provide the best possible dental care options. The availability of innovative software solutions that streamline workflows while maximising efficiencies is vital for modern digital dentistry. One essential component for achieving this is compatibility between the software used within a practice and the laboratory to ensure the digital workflow is reliable and as efficient as possible. Ensuring maximum productivity within the digital production chain for companies offering dental services is therefore the primary focus of the partnership between Coherent and exocad.
Early in 2019, Coherent released its 3D software specifically developed for dental applications of 3D printing with the Coherent Creator. Called Dental Cockpit, this software simplifies the preparation of models and parts for 3D printing, making it extremely user-friendly and introducing considerable time efficiencies. exocad is the developer of CAD software for dental design applications, the flexibility and feature rich environment of which make it one of the most popular design solutions with dental professionals.
Ludovico Camarda, managing director Coherent Dieburg, said: “We are delighted to announce this cooperation with exocad. It is a natural fit to make these two dental software platforms more easily compatible. It will also ensure users of exocad and the Dental Cockpit with the Creator gain huge efficiency and productivity rewards, with simplified workflows that ensure better outcomes for their dental patients. It’s a win-win situation.”
The collaboration between Coherent and exocad means that a data interface will be available between exocad’s DentalDB case management software and the Dental Cockpit, whereby exocad designs can be automatically exported into the Dental Cockpit with a single click. The Dental Cockpit pre-processes and automatically generates the data (according to optimised default parameters) for production of dental parts on the 3D metal printer Creator using titanium and CoCr dental-compliant materials. Now, 3D data from the patient can be loaded and printed with two clicks because the Dental Cockpit software automates processes such as tagging, slicing, nesting within the 3D printer build area and the creation of support structures, if and when necessary.
Together, this software integration offers 3D metal printer Creator users in the dental industry the ability to further streamline the digital production chain, with significant time saved between design and production.
Novica Savic, CCO of exocad, said: “As a leading software developer for the dental industry, we work closely with many of our clients to understand their needs and requirements. Streamlining the process between design and production of dental parts is key to making their work easier.”
