Take the CNC and Walk Away

Datron Dynamics believes that its new D5 Dental Mill is the only machining center in the world to be controlled by an Apple iPad. The machine is used in dental laboratories rather than machine shops, but other than that, it is very similar to a more typical five-axis machining center—right down to its cast iron construction.

The machine mills crowns, bridges and related dental products out of materials such as titanium, chrome-cobalt, zirconium and ceramics. The touch operator interface (the iPad) is used for both control and programming. When this interface is taken off the machining center, machine operations and job status can be monitored remotely—even from a distance. A camera inside the machining area transmits a live view to the iPad screen. For more on this machine tool, click here.