Dentsply
Preventative Care
Project Title: Dental Handpiece Redesign
Project Team: Elizabeth Shelley, Brian McGrath, Dave Golebiewski, Gary
Stump
Executive Summary:Dentsply Preventive Care is manufacturing a new scalar
that is shown in the above picture. Our sponsor needs a new handpiece cover
that will meet customer requirements. The project goal is to develop two
different prototypes that appear and feel like the final manufactured product.
Two magnetic coupling designs and three exterior handpiece covers were
developed. A total of five prototypes were created in a SLA rapid prototyping
machine. These prototypes satisfied the hygienist's need for balance, weight,
size, comfort, and cable drag. Also, the handpiece designs allow the user to
easily slide the magnetic coupling to interchange different front pieces of the
scalar. The major areas of study included ergonomic analysis, materials
research, design development, design analysis, CAD drawings, and rapid
prototyping.
Date: Fall 2000
Faculty Coach: Dr. Ashok Belegundu - Mechanical Engineering Department
Sponsor: Dentsply Preventative Care