What is a Laser Aligner Cutter?  

A Laser Aligner Cutter, also known as LAC, is a device that depends on laser technology to cut and shape aligners with high precision after thermoforming. LACs are used to reduce the manufacturing time for aligners and increase the efficiency of the thermoforming workflow. The Laser Aligner Cutter surpasses the results that one can attain with hand methods or any other older technique of cutting with unmatched precision; therefore, the demand for LAC is increasing in dentistry. Let’s learn more about LAC and explore how LAC Suction System improves the performance of LACs. 

What is a Laser Aligner Cutter Suction System?  

A Laser Aligner Cutter comes with a Laser Aligner Cutter Suction System. The Laser Aligner Cutter machine alone cannot give the desired output in a thermoforming dental workflow.  

To get the maximum benefit out of the Laser Aligner Cutter, a dental professional must learn how to use it in an appropriate manner. It starts at the thermoforming stage, where a dental professional must place the model on a separating platform. The thermoformed aligner and the model are then placed in a Laser Aligner Cutter Separator. Once separated, the thermoformed aligner and the model are placed at the end effector area of the Laser Aligner Cutter. It is important to activate the Laser Aligner Cutter Suction before the start of the Laser Aligner Cutting process. With the help of software and a computer system, the appropriate job is selected. The Laser Aligner Cutter then finishes the cutting process in less than a minute. Once the cutting is done, the aligner can be used without post-processing.   

Each element of the Laser Aligner Cutter system contributes to its excellent performance while maintaining optimum standards of safety.  

Why Does LAC Employ the Suction System?  

The LAC suction system is used for safety, as dust, smoke and particles produced during the cutting process are suctioned. Hence, the workplace remains clean and reduces the chance of the inhalation of harmful contents.  

Lasers, no matter what they cut, always generate fine dust during the process of cutting. These by-products pose several risks if not correctly managed. Most importantly, the fumes and particles may be harmful to the health of an operator. The suction system removes such by-products from the cutting area immediately, cleaning both the equipment and the environment.  

Moreover, the suction system prevents contamination of the air with hazardous materials, which can possibly create harmful smoke. In enclosed settings, natural ventilation may prove insufficient, making the suction system even more important for Laser Aligner Cutters.  

How Does the Laser Aligner Cutter Suction Work?  

Contaminated air from the Laser Aligner Cutter machine is transferred to the filter unit with the help of a radial fan. The contaminated air is then filtered in three stages: 

Stage 1: G4 pre-filter separates the coarse particles.  

Stage 2: H13 HEPA filter separates particles ≥0.3µm.  

Stage 3: Activated carbon filter adsorps laser vapour odours.   

To activate the Laser Aligner Cutter Suction unit, connect the suction hose to the LAC suction unit on one side and the LAC unit on the other side. The Laser Aligner Cutter Suction unit should be used continuously with the operation of the Laser Aligner Cutter.   

Advantages of Using LAC Suction System:  

The Laser Aligner Cutter Suction System has several benefits, such as follows:  

– Equipment Lifespan: If dust and debris find their way onto delicate components of the LAC unit, it will slowly start lagging in performance. On the contrary, cleaning the system with the assistance of the suction system prolongs the lifespan of a Laser Aligner Cutter, thereby reducing the cost of maintenance.  

– Improved Workplace: The suction system improves the work environment. Since the smoke and dust produced are managed by the suction unit, the operators are allowed to focus on their tasks without worrying about the continuous cleaning of the air. Thus, productivity and satisfaction levels increase significantly with the use of the LAC suction unit. 

– Discontent with Compliance with Regulation: In many areas, there are strict regulations over air quality and safety. Thus, a suction system will ensure that your clinic or lab is compliant with your local air safety regulations.  

Conclusion:  

Laser Aligner Cutter is one of the most powerful cutting tools that has completely transformed the thermoforming workflow in dentistry. The accuracy and efficiency offered by this machine are unrivalled; hence, they are valuable in producing aligners. When the aligners are cut using the Laser Aligner Cutter, the dust is produced as a by-product during the process of cutting. That is where the suction system comes in. The suction system in LAC promotes safety by removing noxious fumes and particles, thus cleaning the air in the LAC unit and preventing air contamination in the lab or clinic. It also contributes to increased performance since it prevents equipment damage, giving the Laser Aligner Cutter considerable room to perform at its best. The Laser Aligner Cutter Suction system is a necessary tool for enhancing the functionality and safety of the Laser Aligner Cutter unit.