Method and system for communicating an operating state of a dental milling machine

Abstract

An improved milling machine makes use of individually controlled x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis carriages. These carriages provide positive and precise control of the position of the cutting tools and the blank to be cut. The tools are located in spindles that are moved in the x-axis. A work piece or blank is manipulated in the y-axis and the z-axis. The tools are offset in the x-axis. Lights on a work space door are used to signal the condition of the mill machine and the milling operation. A tool changer allows the tools to be changed to accommodate other materials. A camera or other sensor is used to detect the location and wear on the tools.

1 . A milling machine for milling a dental blank, comprising: 
 a chamber within which at least one tool is movable during an operation on the dental blank;    a cover being at least partially transparent and adapted to be closed during the operation; and    a light source supported in proximity with the cover and that is illuminated during at least a portion of the operation to communicate an operating status by having light from the light source illuminate at least part of the chamber.    
   
   
       2 . The milling machine as described in  claim 1  wherein the light source comprises a set of light emitting devices.  
   
   
       3 . The milling machine as described in  claim 2  wherein the set of light emitting devices comprise light emitting diodes.  
   
   
       4 . The milling machine as described in  claim 2  wherein the set of light emitting devices are illuminated at variable intensity levels.  
   
   
       5 . The milling machine as described in  claim 2  wherein the set of light emitting devices are illuminated in different colors.  
   
   
       6 . The milling machine as described in  claim 2  wherein the set of light emitting devices are illuminated in different colors and at variable intensity levels.  
   
   
       7 . The milling machine as described in  claim 1  wherein the light from the light source has a given color.  
   
   
       8 . The milling machine as described in  claim 7  wherein the given color communicates the operating status.  
   
   
       9 . The milling machine as described in  claim 1  wherein the cover scatters the light from the light source to illuminate the chamber.  
   
   
       10 . The milling machine as described in  claim 1  wherein the operating status is one of: a first state, and a second state that differs from the first state.  
   
   
       11 . The milling machine as described in  claim 3  wherein the set of light emitting devices comprises at least a first light emitting diode and a second light emitting diode, and wherein the first light emitting diode has a first color, and the second diode has a second color different from the first color.  
   
   
       12 . A milling machine for milling a dental blank, comprising: 
 a chamber within which at least one tool is movable during an operation on the dental blank;    a cover being at least partially transparent and adapted to be closed during the operation; and    a set of light emitting devices supported adjacent an outer edge of the chamber and in proximity with the cover and that are illuminated during the operation to communicate at least one operating status at least in part by having the cover scatter light from the set of light emitting devices to thereby illuminate the chamber.    
   
   
       13 . A method of communicating progress of a milling job associated with a dental blank, the method operative in a milling machine having a milling chamber, and a cover being at least partially transparent and adapted to be closed over the milling chamber, comprising: 
 initiating the milling job; and    during the milling job, illuminating at least a portion of the milling chamber to communicate the progress of the milling job.    
   
   
       14 . The method as described in  claim 13  wherein the portion of the milling chamber is illuminated by having the cover scatter light generated by a light source.  
   
   
       15 . The method as described in  claim 14  wherein the light is a set of light emitting devices.  
   
   
       16 . The method as described in  claim 15  wherein the set of light emitting devices comprise light emitting diodes.  
   
   
       17 . The method as described in  claim 13  wherein the portion of the milling chamber is illuminated in a given color to communicate a given operating state of the milling machine.  
   
   
       18 . The method as described in  claim 17  wherein the given color changes when the given operating state of the milling machine changes.  
   
   
       19 . A milling machine for milling a dental blank, comprising: 
 a chamber within which at least one tool is movable during an operation on the dental blank;    a cover being at least partially transparent and adapted to be closed during the operation; and    a light source supported in proximity with the cover and that is illuminated in a first color during a first operating state, and that is illuminated in a second color during a second operating state,    wherein the light source illuminates at least part of the chamber.    
   
   
       20 . The milling machine as described in  claim 19  wherein the light source has a first light that generates the first color, and a second light that generates the second color.