Lab Tested. Outlaw Approved.
A long term review based on real production inside our own orthodontic lab.
Sunstone Welders
The Quick Verdict
Yes
I would absolutely buy this product again. It solved a real production problem in our lab and continues to prove its value in daily use.
Full Product Review and Score Below 👇
Note: These findings are based on real world use in my lab. While every lab is unique, my goal is to share an honest account of what worked, what didn't and who I believe will benefit most.
Your lab is growing, you're struggling to hire experienced technicians or you want to increase production while improving consistency. It's also a strong fit if you're looking for a workflow that's easier to train, scale and build around for the future.
Your production volume is low, your current workflow already meets your needs or the machine would spend more time sitting than producing. If automation isn't solving a real problem today, your investment may be better made later.
AT A GLANCE
The important details, requirements and capabilities in one place.
Technical Specifications
Bender Output
THE 7 STEP PROVE IT PROCESS
Talk Is Cheap.
Every Product Has to PROVE IT.
All products tested must prove itself through the same 7 step real world evaluation process.
Only then can it earn an official Ortho Outlaw rating.
Identify a production problem, review the manufacturer's claims and decide if the product is worth a shot in an ortho lab.
Document unboxing, installation, setup requirements, learning curve and everything needed to get up and running.
Put the product to work on real cases inside an active orthodontic lab to evaluate everyday performance, reliability and workflow impact.
Study production, reliability, maintenance, customer support, ROI value and overall consistency during everyday lab production.
Calculate performance, workflow impact, limitations and available alternatives against the manufacturer's claims and real world expectations.
Decide whether the product has proven itself, earns a place in an ortho lab or practice and if it's worth the investment.
Tally the scorecard, explain the trade offs and deliver the final recommendation.
THE STANDARD
Is there a product or piece of equipment the orthodontic community has been talking about? Let us know. We may feature it in an upcoming review.
Have a product or equipment you want us to test? Prove It!
Scorecard
After real world use in my lab, this product earned its final Ortho Outlaw rating.
I would buy it and use it in my own lab.
Click the scorecard to open a larger view with zoom controls.
At the time of this review, the MB1B7 bender was approximately $65,000 and included the first year of software and one roll of wire.
The annual software fee was approximately $8,900, and a replacement roll of wire was approximately $900.
The short answer is that it is very accurate. Based on our experience, I would estimate around 90% on average, depending on the design and appliance.
The machine has struggled more with Adams clasps than with many of the other bends we produce. AOS has said it is actively working to improve that capability.
No. You will still need a skilled wire technician and pliers for final adjustments, complex designs and bends the machine does not currently support.
There is not one universal answer because production depends on the appliance, the operator's experience and whether the operator is creating a new design or running a previously saved design.
In our laboratory, we design and bend throughout the day, so production varies with the workload. Once a design has been saved, the AOS can bend many wire forms in approximately 30 to 40 seconds. AOS reports that previously designed parts can reach approximately 100 to 110 wire forms per hour under peak batch production conditions.
My advice is not to focus only on the number of parts it can produce in a day. Look at how much it increases your laboratory's overall production. For the appliances our AOS supports, we experienced approximately an 80% increase in wire production while also improving consistency and reducing manual wire bending.
Training is one of my favorite things about this machine. Someone with basic computer skills can usually learn the software and begin producing quality wire bends in approximately four to five days.
We have found that people who are comfortable with computers, CAD software or video games may understand the software and begin producing good bends in as little as one to three days. Learning orthodontic terminology and appliance design usually takes several additional weeks.
No. The AOS uses spool wire rather than individual straight wire lengths. Multiple wire sizes are available.
The AOS requires very little routine maintenance. The main responsibilities are keeping the machine properly calibrated and maintaining the air compressor according to the compressor manufacturer's recommendations.
Regular calibration, which takes approximately 20 minutes, helps maintain accurate and consistent bends. Basic air compressor maintenance may include draining moisture, checking filters and monitoring air pressure.
The software is updated regularly with improvements, new features, bug fixes and performance enhancements. One thing I have appreciated is that the AOS team has been open to customer feedback.
When users identify ways to improve the workflow or make the software more efficient, the team is willing to listen and may incorporate those ideas into future updates. From my experience, AOS continues improving the software rather than leaving it unchanged after the sale.
Return on investment will be different for every orthodontic laboratory. It depends on production volume, labor costs, appliance mix, staffing challenges and how much hand wire bending you currently perform.
For the appliances the AOS can bend in our laboratory, we experienced approximately an 80% increase in wire production. That efficiency allowed us to produce more consistent wire bends while reducing the amount of manual wire bending required.
Look beyond the purchase price. Consider easier training for new employees, increased production, improved consistency, reduced dependence on experienced wire benders and the ability to better prepare your laboratory for growth or an eventual sale.
Financing may be available for qualified buyers. Low or no money down options may be available through Orthodontic Lab Solutions, depending on approval and current lending programs.
View financing informationThe AOS MicroBender is designed and built in the United States. AOS is based in Tampa, Florida.
Is It Right for Your Lab?
Decision Guide
An automated wire bender can be a valuable production tool, but the right decision depends on your workload, staffing, budget and long term goals.
A Strong Fit
An automated wire bender can be a strong investment for laboratories that want to increase production, improve consistency, simplify training and prepare for future growth.
May Not Be the Right Time
An automated wire bender is a production tool, not a complete replacement for experienced technicians. It may be difficult to justify when production volume is low or when most appliances fall outside the machine's current capabilities.
Everything above explains how I reached this conclusion. Everything below is the advice I would give another laboratory before making this investment.
The AOS has been a great investment for our laboratory, but that does not automatically mean it is the right investment for yours. Every laboratory is different. Production volume, staffing, workflow, budget and long term goals all play an important role in determining whether an automated wire bender makes sense.
Our Experience
For our lab, the machine has increased production, improved consistency and made it much easier to train new employees. One of the biggest surprises was that learning the orthodontic terminology took longer than learning the software and producing quality wire bends. Hiring someone with strong computer skills or even better, a gamer and teaching them to bend wires on screen, has proven to be a successful approach for us.
The Market
Since purchasing the AOS, other automated wire bending systems have entered the U.S. market. Some use straight wire instead of spool wire, some are priced similarly to the AOS and at least one is available at a considerably lower price point.
I have connected with manufacturers and laboratory owners who use these machines. We will be sharing their firsthand insight through upcoming interviews, videos and future reviews. As opportunities become available, I also plan to test these systems in our own production laboratory using the same real world process and scoring criteria used throughout this website.
We Can Help
I speak lab fluently. If you've got questions about any product or just want to talk it through, reach out. I'd be happy to share what I've learned and help you figure out if it's the right fit for your lab.
Where It Started. Where It Led.
Every brand has a different role. Every brand shares the same mission. Helping doctors and orthodontic labs achieve predictable, consistent results for every patient.
Together we support orthodontic laboratories and orthodontic practices through education, honest product reviews, trusted equipment partnerships, practical solutions and nearly 30 years of real world experience.
Where It All Started
The working orthodontic laboratory where nearly 30 years of hands on experience, product testing and practical problem solving began.
Discover and Document
Media, reviews, laboratory tours, interviews and industry education from inside the orthodontic laboratory world.
Test and Evaluate
Independent testing, detailed scorecards and final ratings built around the six step PROVEN review process.
Select and Implement
From helping you choose the right equipment to coordinating the purchase, installation, training and long term support, Orthodontic Lab Solutions works with trusted manufacturers and distributors to help laboratories make confident purchasing decisions and avoid costly mistakes.
Independent Editorial Standards
For nearly 30 years, I've owned and operated orthodontic labs in Northern California. During that time I've built multiple ortho labs, redesigned workflows and implemented new technology to help our lab become more efficient and consistent. We were also proud to become the first fully digital orthodontic lab in Northern California. Along the way I've made some great investments and some costly mistakes, but every lesson has come from working in a real production environment where quality, consistency and efficiency matter every single day.
I created the Equipment Resource Center because I couldn't find the kind of honest, practical information I was looking for before making major purchasing decisions. Most of what I found came from marketing departments or sales people, instead of labs who actually depend on these products and equipment every day. The resources I was looking for simply didn't exist. My goal is to provide the kind of guidance I wish I had years ago, built on real laboratory testing, long term use and hands on experience.
Everything you'll find here is evaluated from the perspective of an ortho lab owner, not a salesperson. Every review, scorecard and recommendation is based on real world performance, not manufacturer claims, paid rankings or sponsored opinions. If a product earns my recommendation, it's because it proved itself in a working orthodontic lab and delivered real value where it matters most.
That same philosophy is the foundation of Orthodontic Lab Solutions. As an authorized reseller for carefully selected manufacturers and trusted industry partners, I only represent products and equipment I genuinely believe in and would confidently use in my own lab. My goal has never been to sell you equipment. My goal is to help you make informed decisions, avoid costly mistakes and invest in solutions that are right for your laboratory.
I don't represent products because I'm an authorized reseller. I'm an authorized reseller because I believe in the products I represent.
Whether you're researching your next piece of equipment, upgrading your workflow or building a new lab from the ground up, I hope this Equipment Resource Center gives you the knowledge, confidence and honest guidance to make informed decisions and invest in solutions that are right for your labs needs. And if you ever need help planning a new lab, redesigning your workflow, selecting equipment/products or navigating the buying process, I'm always happy to help.
If I wouldn't buy it for my own lab, I won't recommend it for yours.
Jason Dyas Ortho Outlaw
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