372 A New Design of Mastication Machine Using Linear Motors Available to Purchase

The artificial mouths that currently exist at the Minnesota Dental Research Center for Biomaterials and Biomechanics (MDRCBB) for simulating chewing motions were built using servo hydraulics (MTS) that are controlled with an analogue system. Hydraulic systems have the advantages of being versatile and robust, but they are bulky, noisy and expensive to build and run. Linear motors with high fatigue ratings, on the other hand, offer the opportunity to build cheaper, smaller, quieter and more energy-saving machines to simulate the same chewing motions. They can also be controlled and monitored digitally, giving rise to more accurate and stable simulated chewing motions. The objective of this project was therefore to design and build a new artificial mouth using linear motor technology.