TOOTH ENGINEERING
A pair of four inch bore cylinders are combined to provide 20,000 pounds of biting force.

We wanted structurally sound, glistening teeth that at the same time would appear quite menacing. The teeth had to be fairly light in weight and still be able to bite through automobile steel bodies and tear away sheet metal. Each tooth had to also distribute it's respective concentrated loads safely into the head and jaw structure. The final concept was hollow pyramids made from 304 stainless steel plate. After electropolishing to a near mirror finish, the base of each tooth was stitch welded along it's perimeter into place.

FIGURE 7a. The Electropolished Teeth in Action!

FIGURE 7b. Author Performing Orthodontia Work on Mouth
Due to tolerance buildup, in both the shearing of the 304 stainless steel plate patterns and in the assembled weldments of each hollow pyramid, each tooth had to be reworked with a grinder to fit properly. Each finished tooth was then tack welded in place and labeled. When complete, all the teeth were removed for electropolishing.

 

FIGURE 7c. MRI Fabrication Specialist, Mark Deweese Assembles the Head/Upper Jaw Truss

FIGURE 7d. Typical Tooth

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