Carbon will showcase its latest innovations at IDS 2025 in Cologne, highlighting its newest solutions in automation, material development, and workflow optimisation for dental labs. Expanding on its Automatic Operation (AO) Suite, Carbon will introduce new enhancements to help labs improve efficiency and scale production.
The AO Suite, which includes Automatic Print Preparation (APP), AO Polishing Cassettes for all M-Series printers, the AO Backpack, and the all-new Parts Retrieval Basket — is an accessory for the AO Backpack that allows labs to retrieve printed parts on their schedule without disrupting ongoing prints.
The Parts Retrieval Basket is designed for labs running the AO Backpack during staffed shifts, enabling access to completed prints without pausing production. Available as a separate orderable accessory, the AO Backpack has processed over 18,000 prints thus far, improving the scale at which labs can operate daily.
Automatic Print Preparation (APP) streamlines the pre-print workflow by automating essential pre-processing steps such as orientation, supports, and labeling. While APP complements the AO Backpack by further reducing manual intervention, it can also be used independently to optimise print preparation, keep the print queue moving, and enhance efficiency in existing lab workflows.
Another highlight at IDS 2025 is the expansion of the AO Polishing Cassette to the European lab market. Optimised for dentures and splints, this solution is now compatible with the M3 and M3 Max printers. The AO Polishing Cassette leverages light-scattering technology to polish parts directly during printing, producing smoother and clearer prints while reducing manual labour and preserving design details. Validated for materials such as Dentsply’s Lucitone Digital Print and Keystone Keysplint Soft Clear, it enhances the production of denture bases and splints. The AO Polishing Cassette is now available for the M2, M3, and M3 Max printer platforms.
Building on its automation advancements, Carbon will also introduce Lucentra, which helps orthodontic labs and aligner manufacturers produce clearer final thermoformed aligners. The product suite includes an improved software, a new cassette for the Carbon L1 printer, and a new material, UMA 20. Lucentra reduces visible layer lines in thermoformed clear aligners by delivering smoother printed models, improving clarity from the start. Additionally, UMA 20 is intended for producing hollow models and has an extended shelf life compared to previously used aligner model materials.
“Our push for innovation in this space is built on listening to dental labs and truly understanding the challenges they face every day — whether it’s the pressure to optimize efficiency or their commitment to better serve their patients and improve outcomes. By driving automation with our AO Suite, we empower labs to focus their time and expertise on the highest-value tasks that elevate their operations and deliver the greatest impact on patient care,” said Terri Capriolo, senior vice-president for oral health at Carbon.
“We’re already seeing these solutions drive real transformation across North America, and we’re excited to bring that momentum to Europe at IDS 2025, helping even more labs unlock new levels of productivity and efficiency,” she added.
IDS attendees will be able to learn more about the AO Suite at the Carbon booth, where the team will demonstrate how these solutions are shaping the future of dental lab workflows.
