Design and manufacturing of an occlusal loading machine testing fatique and fracture strength of dental restorative materials

Restorative materials used in dentistry are tested in the laboratories under vitroconditions before the mouth usage. By using designed and manufacturedmachine, the effects of short and long-period applied forces on restorativematerials used in the mouth are investigated under chewing process conditions.PLC controlled pneumatic cylinders, which apply forces were used in themanufactured occlusal loading machine. Force values (80-500 N) applied by thecylinders and work frequencies (up to 6,6 Hz) can be changed by PLC.Compression is applied to the test specimens by using pneumatic force and thiscompression data are transmitted to the PLC by the feedback sensor. PLC bothcontrols pneumatic pistons and records test data in the desired trajectorydirection. Movement of each piston is controlled by the computer. In case of thespecimen breakage or in the event of desired compression number, relevantpistons will be out of service and then total compression number is recorded bytransmitting the fracture information to the PLC.