Patent attributes
A fixture plate includes a base having a contact face configured to support a dental model having a material formed thereon. The material includes an aligner material portion and an excess material portion. The fixture plate includes one or more channels formed in the contact face. The fixture plate includes a bore extending through the base from a bottom opening to the contact face. A portion of the bore located along the bottom opening is configured to couple with a hose of a vacuum system configured to generate a suction force at the contact face via the one or more channels. The suction force is applied to the dental model and at least part of the excess material portion to retain the dental model and the material formed thereon against the contact face.