An apparatus for hot drape forming a part includes a plurality of pyrometers, a bladder covering a formable material, and a pyrometer control medium positioned between the plurality of pyrometers and the formable material. The plurality of pyrometers are configured to measure a temperature of the pyrometer control medium.

An apparatus for hot drape forming a part includes a plurality of pyrometers, a bladder covering a formable material, and a pyrometer control medium positioned between the plurality of pyrometers and the formable material. The plurality of pyrometers are configured to measure a temperature of the pyrometer control medium.

A method includes obtaining image(s) of a dental device, determining file(s) including at least one of a first model of the dental device or a second model of a mold, determining an intended property for the dental device based on at least one of the first model or the second model, and determining an actual property of the dental device from the image(s). The method further includes determining whether a cutline variation, an arch variation, and/or a bend of the dental device is detected between the dental device and the first model and/or the second model by comparing the intended property with the actual property. The method further includes determining whether there is a possible defect in the dental device based on whether the cutline variation exceeds a cutline variation threshold, the arch variation exceeds an arch variation threshold, and/or the bend exceeds a bend threshold.

A method includes obtaining image(s) of a dental device, determining file(s) including at least one of a first model of the dental device or a second model of a mold, determining an intended property for the dental device based on at least one of the first model or the second model, and determining an actual property of the dental device from the image(s). The method further includes determining whether a cutline variation, an arch variation, and/or a bend of the dental device is detected between the dental device and the first model and/or the second model by comparing the intended property with the actual property. The method further includes determining whether there is a possible defect in the dental device based on whether the cutline variation exceeds a cutline variation threshold, the arch variation exceeds an arch variation threshold, and/or the bend exceeds a bend threshold.

The instant application discloses, among other things, ways to manufacture reduced density thermoplastics. A rapid foaming process which may create a polymer product by saturating thermoplastic sheet or preforms, heating, and then forming into final shape, is described. The polymer product may include an integral solid skin. This method may be utilized with any thermoplastic. The material handling, saturation methods, and end products are also described.

The instant application discloses, among other things, ways to manufacture reduced density thermoplastics. A rapid foaming process which may create a polymer product by saturating thermoplastic sheet or preforms, heating, and then forming into final shape, is described. The polymer product may include an integral solid skin. This method may be utilized with any thermoplastic. The material handling, saturation methods, and end products are also described.

A thermoplastic forming tool includes a wand that includes a handle, a tip, and a conduit coupling the handle to the tip. The tip includes a heating element, a forming shoe, and a forming shoe support. During use, heat from the heating element heats the forming shoe to a temperature at or above the glass transition temperature of a thermoplastic polymer. The thermoplastic forming tool may be used to apply a thermoplastic material to a surface.

A thermoplastic forming tool includes a wand that includes a handle, a tip, and a conduit coupling the handle to the tip. The tip includes a heating element, a forming shoe, and a forming shoe support. During use, heat from the heating element heats the forming shoe to a temperature at or above the glass transition temperature of a thermoplastic polymer. The thermoplastic forming tool may be used to apply a thermoplastic material to a surface.

The present disclosure provides a dental orthodontic appliance and a design method and a manufacturing method thereof. The dental orthodontic appliance includes a shell-like body, and the shell-like body is provided with a plurality of cavities for accommodating maxillary teeth, and the shell-like body is further provided with an upper palatal arch that reshapes a form of a dental arch. Two ends of the upper palatal arch are respectively and partially connected to positions of gingival margins or positions adjacent to the gingival margins on ligual sides in posterior regions of left and right sides of the shell-like body. When the shell-like body interacts with teeth, the upper palatal arch can induce buccolingual lateral amplification of maxillary palatal suture bone deposition by means of deformation, and teeth in the posterior regions move laterally buccolingually under an action of the shell-like body.

The present disclosure provides a dental orthodontic appliance and a design method and a manufacturing method thereof. The dental orthodontic appliance includes a shell-like body, and the shell-like body is provided with a plurality of cavities for accommodating maxillary teeth, and the shell-like body is further provided with an upper palatal arch that reshapes a form of a dental arch. Two ends of the upper palatal arch are respectively and partially connected to positions of gingival margins or positions adjacent to the gingival margins on ligual sides in posterior regions of left and right sides of the shell-like body. When the shell-like body interacts with teeth, the upper palatal arch can induce buccolingual lateral amplification of maxillary palatal suture bone deposition by means of deformation, and teeth in the posterior regions move laterally buccolingually under an action of the shell-like body.