NorDan AB, a construction company that specialises in doors and windows, is looking to move into 3D printing. As one might expect, the 3D printers it is investing in will also produce doors and windows. NorDan have requested the custom printer to BLB industries, who build customised printers on demand. The machine will be ready for commercial use by summer 2018.

While NorDan have not revealed the price of the machine, they have quite revealed some of its specs. As of now, they can say that it will have 2 extruders that process plastic granules with a range of multiple nozzles. One of the extruders operates with nozzle sizes of 0.6-2mm while the other uses nozzles of 2-8mm.

The printer is 2.4 m (breadth) x 2.7 m (height) and 4 m (length). This makes it perfect for door and window construction, allowing it to print 1.5m wide and 2.5m in height, although for even larger builds it can always produce them in parts meant to be assembled later. It allegedly has an extrusion rate of 14 kg/hour.

The machine also features a custom table that eases the printing process. BLB added the table so that any material that NorDan were to print with would achieve proper adhesion. One of the reasons for this is that the printer can process a wide-range of materials.

BLB 3D Custom Printers can make products in different polymers as well as biocomposites. Biocomposites consist of a large proportion of non-fossil-based natural raw materials and residues from forestry or agricultural by-products such as polymers mixed with wood, cork, straw and even hemp. This also means that the machine is versatile and sustainable.

NorDan AB manufactures windows and doors for the Swedish market and employs about 400 employees. The company’s operations in Sweden include three factories (Tanum, Bor and Kvillsfors) and six sales office. NorDan AB is part of NorDan Group with headquarters in Norway. They requested the bulding of this machine with the aid of BLB.

BLB Industries AB specializes in the production of 3D printers and materials technology. The company is based in Värnamo and has received international attention for its technology and competence. BLB can process requests via email with specifications on their website. Potential clients have to fill out basic specs like size, number of nozzles, features, purpose and materials (among other specs), and then the company works out a way to build it on request.