Shell removal device
A shell removal device includes a platform configured to secure a mold. An untrimmed shell is formed over the mold. The shell removal device further includes a drive mechanism configured to move the platform away from the untrimmed shell responsive to sensor data indicative that the untrimmed shell has begun to separate from the mold.
1 . A shell removal device comprising:
a platform configured to secure a mold, wherein an untrimmed shell is formed over the mold;
a clamping mechanism comprising a first distal portion extending from a side of a body of the shell removal device, wherein the clamping mechanism further comprises a second distal portion that is configured to insert into a cover of the shell removal device to releasably secure to the cover to secure the untrimmed shell between the body and the cover, the platform being disposed in the body; and
a drive mechanism configured to cause the mold secured to the platform and the untrimmed shell secured between the body and the cover via the clamping mechanism to separate from each other responsive to sensor data of a sensor of the shell removal device, the sensor data indicative that the untrimmed shell has begun to separate from the mold.
2 . The shell removal device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor data is indicative of a pressure differential between an upper surface of the untrimmed shell and a lower surface of the untrimmed shell, and wherein the pressure differential causes the untrimmed shell to begin to separate from the mold.
3 . The shell removal device of claim 2 further comprising a housing coupled to a media inlet, wherein the platform is disposed within the housing, wherein pressurized media is to enter the housing via the media inlet to cause the pressure differential between the upper surface of the untrimmed shell and the lower surface of the untrimmed shell.
4 . The shell removal device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor data is indicative that at least a portion of the untrimmed shell has moved a threshold distance away from one or more of the mold or the platform.
5 . The shell removal device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises one or more of a piezoelectric pressure transducer, a strain gauge pressure sensor, a variable capacitance pressure transducer, an audio sensor, an optical sensor, a pressure sensor, or a contact sensor.
6 . The shell removal device of claim 1 , wherein the mold corresponds to a dental arch of a patient and the untrimmed shell is an untrimmed aligner.
7 . A method comprising:
securing a mold to a platform of a shell removal device, wherein an untrimmed shell has been formed over the mold;
releasably securing a clamping mechanism extending from a side of a body of the shell removal device to a cover of the shell removal device to secure the untrimmed shell between the body and the cover, the platform being disposed in the body, wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a first distal portion extending from the side of the body and a second distal portion that is configured to insert into the cover to releasably secure to the cover to secure the untrimmed shell between the body and the cover; and
causing, via a drive mechanism, the mold secured to the platform and the untrimmed shell secured between the body and the cover via the clamping mechanism to separate from each other responsive to sensor data of a sensor of the shell removal device, the sensor data indicative that the untrimmed shell has begun to separate from the mold.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the sensor data is indicative of a pressure differential between an upper surface of the untrimmed shell and a lower surface of the untrimmed shell, and wherein the pressure differential causes the untrimmed shell to begin to separate from the mold.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein a housing is coupled to a media inlet, wherein the platform is disposed within the housing, the method further comprising causing pressurized media to enter the housing via the media inlet to cause the pressure differential between the upper surface of the untrimmed shell and the lower surface of the untrimmed shell.
10 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the sensor data is indicative that at least a portion of the untrimmed shell has moved a threshold distance away from one or more of the mold or the platform.
11 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the sensor comprises one or more of a piezoelectric pressure transducer, a strain gauge pressure sensor, a variable capacitance pressure transducer, an audio sensor, an optical sensor, a pressure sensor, or a contact sensor.
12 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the mold corresponds to a dental arch of a patient and the untrimmed shell is an untrimmed aligner.
13 . A system comprising:
a memory; and
a processing device coupled to the system, the processing device to:
receive, from a sensor of a shell removal device, sensor data indicative of an untrimmed shell separating from a mold disposed on a platform of the shell removal device, the untrimmed shell being formed over the mold, a clamping mechanism of the shell removal device comprising a first portion extending from a side of a body of the shell removal device and a second distal portion that is configured to insert into a cover of the shell removal device to releasably secure to the cover to secure the untrimmed shell between the body and the cover, the platform being disposed in the body; and
cause, based on the sensor data, a drive mechanism to cause the mold secured to the platform and the untrimmed shell secured between the body and the cover via the clamping mechanism to separate from each other.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the sensor data is indicative of a pressure differential between an upper surface of the untrimmed shell and a lower surface of the untrimmed shell, and wherein the pressure differential causes the untrimmed shell to begin to separate from the mold.
15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein a housing coupled to a media inlet, wherein the platform is disposed within the housing, wherein pressurized media is to enter the housing via the media inlet to cause the pressure differential between the upper surface of the untrimmed shell and the lower surface of the untrimmed shell.
16 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the sensor data is indicative that at least a portion of the untrimmed shell has moved a threshold distance away from one or more of the mold or the platform.
17 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the sensor comprises one or more of a piezoelectric pressure transducer, a strain gauge pressure sensor, a variable capacitance pressure transducer, an audio sensor, an optical sensor, a pressure sensor, or a contact sensor.
18 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the mold corresponds to a dental arch of a patient and the untrimmed shell is an untrimmed aligner.