A Lab-Focused Guide to Faster Scans, Smarter Design, and Smoother Milling
In a busy dental lab, every second counts.
Whether you're scanning full-arch implant cases or running back-to-back MillBox calculations, your workstation needs to keep up, not hold you back. And while processors and graphics cards tend to get all the attention, there’s one component that quietly powers your entire workflow:
RAM.
RAM isn’t just about performance. It's about multi-tasking and productivity. The right amount of RAM helps you scan faster, design smoother, and queue up jobs without your applications constantly freezing. Not enough RAM? This is where we see slowdowns, crashes, and bottlenecks that cost you time, money & frustration.
This guide walks you through exactly how much RAM your dental CAD/CAM workstation needs, based on the work you do, and shows you how Level Up systems are designed to match.
Why RAM Matters in Dental CAD/CAM Workflows
CAD (Scan / Design) and CAM (Nesting) software demand serious memory. Scanners, design programs, and CAM tools like MillBox process large volumes of imaging data, toolpath computations and STL geometry - often at the same time depending on your setup.
Here’s what your RAM is doing behind the scenes:
During scanning: Holding hundreds if not thousands of high-resolution images as they are converted into 3D models
During design: CAD tracks every click of the wax knife, morph and contouring tools. The larger the design, the more complex the size and shape, increasing the memory requirements to keep the images smooth while designing.
During CAM calculations: Processing Larger files require more toolpaths. Toolpaths are especially complex to calculate for full-arch or screw-retained restorations featuring undercuts that require 5 Axis machining.
During multi-tasking: Running multiple programs or instances without lag or resource conflict
If your RAM is maxed out, performance drops regardless of how fast your processor or GPU might be.
CAM Workstations: How Much RAM Do You Need for MillBox?
Our High Performance CAM Workstation is purpose-built for MillBox, designed to calculate toolpaths faster and keep multiple jobs moving without freezing or crashing.
Here’s what we recommend based on your daily workload:
Use Case | Recommended RAM | Why It Matters |
1-2 Machines / Full-Arch or Undercut Cases | 64GB | Handles basic nesting and standard toolpath calculations. Works best if you only have 1 machine. 64GB of memory decreases calculation time and allows for multitasking on your CPU to be maximized. |
3 or More Machines / Batch Milling | 96GB to 128GB | Supports multiple MillBox instances and simultaneous nesting |
Real Lab Scenario:
“We run two milling machines, often with full-arch hybrids. With 64GB RAM, we can calculate one job while we prepare the next job in nesting, without crashing or significantly slowing down MillBox.”
Our MillBox workstations have reduced average calculation times by up to 60 percent compared to standard off-the-shelf PCs.
Explore:
CAM Workstations for MillBox
Includes AMD processor, RTX graphics, 2TB SSD, and optional RAM upgrades.
CAD Workstations: RAM for Scanning, Designing, and STL Management
CAD software like 3Shape and ExoCAD often require even more RAM than CAM systems, especially when you're working with high-resolution scans, complex restorations, or multi-layered designs.
Our CAD workstations start with 64GB RAM, with upgradable options to 96GB and 128GB. These configurations are based on actual usage from labs that work in fast-paced, scan-to-design workflows.
Design Workflow | Recommended RAM | Best Fit |
Light Design / Crowns and Bridges | 64GB | Ideal for standard design and moderate case complexity |
Full-Arch Design / Complex Scan Files | 96GB | Reduces lag when importing scan data and editing mesh |
High-Volume and Complex Labs | 128GB | Allows simultaneous scan and design without performance loss |
Real Lab Scenario: “We often design while the next model is scanning. At 128GB, everything runs smoothly. No lag, no crashes.”
Explore:CAD Workstation for 3ShapeCAD Workstation for ExoCADBoth models include water-cooled AMD CPUs, professional RTX graphics, and high-speed SSD storage.
Common Lab Setups and RAM Recommendations
Lab Type | CAM RAM | CAD RAM | Why |
Small Lab (Crown and Bridge only) | 64GB | 64GB | Handles basic nesting and design |
Implant-Focused Lab | 64GB | 96GB | Supports more intensive scan and nesting workflows, often with more steps ang images to combine. |
High-Volume Lab | 128GB | 128GB | Enables multitasking and multiple machines simultaneously |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is 64GB of RAM enough for MillBox?
A: Yes, if you are working with 1-2 milling machines and straightforward cases like crown and bridge and full-arch cases or run more than 1 machine with the same CAM Workstation.
Q: Why do CAD workstations generally need more RAM than CAM systems?
A: CAD programs track scan data, design changes, and high-resolution files in memory. Without enough RAM, design sessions become slow and unreliable.
Q: Do I really need 128GB RAM?
A: If your lab handles large case volumes, complex scans, or multitasks across programs, 128GB ensures stability and speed and future-proofs your investment.
Q: Can I upgrade RAM later?
A: Yes. All Level Up workstations are designed with upgradeability in mind. However, upgrading at the time of purchase is more cost-efficient and avoids downtime.
Build Smarter. Work Faster. Scale Confidently.
Choosing the right RAM configuration is not about overbuilding. It's about aligning your hardware with the pace and complexity of your lab.
Level Up workstations are designed by CAD/CAM professionals who understand your workflow. Every system is tested, optimized, and supported by a team that works alongside dental labs every day.
Ready to find your fit?
RAM at a Glance
Workflow | CAM RAM | CAD RAM |
Basic to Complex Cases (Full-Arch, 2 or more Machines per workstation) | 64GB to 96GB | 96GB |
High-Volume and Multi-Machine Labs | 128GB | 128GB |
Need help choosing the right configuration? Reach out to our team for recommendations based on your exact workflow. No pressure, just practical advice from professionals who build and support dental labs every day.
