• 대한치과기공학회지
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.55-61
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• 2009

Passive fitting of meso-structure and super-structures is a predominant requirement for the longevity and clinical success of osseointegrated dental implants. However, precision and passive fitting has been unpredictable with conventional methods of casting as well as for corrective techniques. Alternative to conventional techniques, electro discharge machining(EDM) is an advanced method introduced to dental technology to improve the passive fitting of implant prosthesis. In this technique material is removed by melting and vaporization in electric sparks. Regarding the efficacy of EDM, the application of this technique induces severe surface morphological and elemental alterations due to the high temperatures developed during machining, which vary between $10,000{\sim}20,000^{\circ}C$. The aim of this study was to investigate the morphological and elemental alterations induced by EDM process of casting dental gold alloy and non-precious alloy used for the production of implant-supported prosthesis. A conventional clinical dental casting alloys were used for experimental specimens patterns, which were divided in three groups, high fineness gold alloy(Au 75%, HG group), low fineness gold alloy(Au 55%, LG group) and nonprecious metal alloy(Ni-Cr, NP group). The UCLA type plastic abutment patterns were invested with conventional investment material and were cast in a centrifugal casting machine. Castings were sandblasted with $50{\mu}m\;Al_2O_3$. One casting specimen of each group was polished by conventional finishing(HGCON, LGCON, NPCON) and one specimen of each group was subjected to EDM in a system using Cu electrodes, kerosene as dielectric fluid in 10 min for gold alloy and 20 min for Ni-Cr alloy(HGEDM. LGEDM, NOEDM). The surface morphology of all specimens was studied under an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). The quantitative results from EDS analysis are presented on the HGEDM and LGEDM specimens a significant increase in C and Cu concentrations was found after EDM finishing. The different result was documented for C on the NPEDM with a significant uptake of O after EDM finishing, whereas Al, Si showed a significant decrease in their concentrations. EDS analysis showed a serious uptake of C and Cu after the EDM procedure in the alloys studied. The C uptake after the EDM process is a common finding and it is attributed to the decomposition of the dielectric fluid in the plasma column, probably due to the development of extremely high temperatures. The Cu uptake is readily explained from the decomposition of Cu electrodes, something which is also a common finding after the EDM procedure. However, all the aforementioned mechanisms require further research. The clinical implication of these findings is related with the biological and corrosion resistance of surfaces prepared by the EDM process.

• 한국공작기계학회논문집
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.7-15
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• 2008

Currently existing high-accuracy and high-speed die sets used in reciprocal press create scratches at the surface of guide posts, steel balls, and bushes due to vertical movement of balls with point-contacts between inner surface of bushes and guide posts. Consequently, accuracy of the die set and the life span of the metal mold are reduced. However, those scratches could reduce the pre-load of the steel ball. This research designed and developed a groove-type die set which improves life span of the die set by eliminating point-contacts of steel balls with guide posts. The guide post consisted of a steel-ball retainer, a steel-ball retainer stopper, a guide bush, a guide pin, a snap ring, and a spring. The steel-ball retainer has 72 holes with 8 columns of 9 holes in each column. The inner surface of the guide bush was grinded(surface roughness: $Ra\;\\;0.2{\mu}m$, accuracy: $0\;{\sim}\;-0.002mm$) after NC turning and heat treatment. Also, a line of small intermediate pocket was processed inside of the guide bush for lubrication and elimination of foreign materials. Guide grooves of steel balls were processed using a wire EDM(Electrical Discharge Machining) after heat treatment. With such a design of the guide post stated above, loads against steel balls could be dispersed greatly by the line contacts through the guide groove between the guide post and the guide bush, and the life span of the guide post could be expanded semi-permanently.