Window and door manufacturer NorDan AB will soon be offering its clients products made with the help of additive manufacturing, after commissioning a special 3-D printer capable of turning out full-size windows and doors.

The BLB 3D Custom Printer, which is expected to be ready in spring this year, will be capable of printing products up to 2.5 x 1.5 x 1.5m; larger parts could be produced but they would require post-printing assembly.

The machine is equipped with two extruders with different nozzle sizes (0.6 to 2mm and 2 to 8mm), which are designed
to process plastic granules in a variety of polymer and bio-composite materials (the latter category includes materials made from agricultural byproducts, including wood, cork, straw and hemp).

NorDan says it is keen to capitalise on these more-sustainable manufacturing materials.

Other specifications for this 3-D printer include a deposition rate of 14kg of plastic per hour, overall dimensions of 2.4 x 2.7 x 4m, and a customised print surface that was designed for optimal adhesion with any polymer or biocomposite material that is being printed.

NorDan says that once the printer is in operation, it will be used to produce prototypes and a number of commercial end-products.