While Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is beginning to make its mark on our industry, lab owners who are early adopters are already reaping the rewards. By using AI-enabled software or services to process STL files, they’re achieving more predictable outcomes and saving a substantial amount of time and labor. And, since AI technology is continuously being “taught” by the user what he wants or doesn’t want, it’s always improving, offering even greater potential for the future.
Here are four ways labs are using AI-enabled software to streamline production:
Automatic bracket removal and model basing: Christian Saurman, CEO, NEO Lab, Andover, MA, has integrated CADflow, an AI-enabled, web-based software for orthodontic labs, into his customized portal, RxWizard. The lab processes incoming STL files that require bracket removal and/or model basing through CADflow and the software modifies the file accordingly.
“The more cases we put through the software, the more it learns our preferences,” says Saurman, whose lab was a beta tester for CADflow. “Now that we’ve used it for a while, the model basing is working well and so all we need to do is the occasional adjustment to the bracket removal on screen.” The software is saving the lab 10 to 12 hours of work per day, reducing backlogs and giving the designers additional time to focus on more complex cases.
