Alexander Lervik

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NTT-3D printning

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POSTTIDNING A MENTOR COMMUNICATIONS, Box 72001, 18172 LIDINGÖ

CURRENT EVENTS.

: 20 percent

: By that much did China's imports of timber decrease in 2008. The information comes from Lesprom and is based : on statistics from Chinese customs. The decrease, which represents a clear trend break, is reported to be due to lower international demand for furniture and plywood.

NORDISK TRÄTEKNIK SÅG & TRÄ — THE NEWS MAGAZINE FOR SAWMILLS, THE WOOD MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY AND THE TIMBER TRADE

Week 14 April 3, 2009

WWW.WOODNET.SE #8

Setra sees through pine at sawmill in Skinnskatteberg

Last week Setra held an opening party at the sawmill in Skinnskatteberg. 120 million SEK has been invested in a state-of-the-art timber sorting line, several kilns and a new biofuel boiler. Setra's CEO, Kent Torwald, was especially pleased with the X-ray measurement frame, which opens up significantly better customization of the pine sawn in Skinnskatteberg. p. 4

Press a button on the printer — and out comes a piece of furniture. Does it sound like a futuristic adventure? In that case, the future is already here. Designer Alexander Lervik has studied 3D

May he live long...

After 75 years as an independent business owner, master cabinetmaker Gunnar Borgfelt thought it was time to retire. He was then 98 years old. In two weeks Gunnar, who incidentally built Sweden's first bomb shelter, turns 100. p. 12

printers. He found a development rushing forward.

"Soon, anyone will be able to download a piece of furniture and have it printed out," says Alexander Lervik.

PHOTO HELENE PE

The technology could provide benefits for the environment. But at the same time, the risk is that the furniture industry faces the same problem as today's music industry: illegal downloading. p. 8

Long-awaited CAD course

Knowledge of CAD technology is in a poor state at many woodworking companies in Västernorrland and Jämtland. To remedy this, Ywood has started a basic CAD training program in Kramfors. p. 10

Tallest wooden passive house from Martinsons

Martinsons in Bygdsiljum has received an order for what is reportedly the world's tallest passive house, furthermore with a wooden frame. The two eight-story buildings are now being erected in Växjö, and if all goes according to calcula- tions, energy consumption will be below 50 kilowatt-hours per square meter and year. p. 7

The curves continue to point in the wrong direction

Neither in Sweden, Europe nor the US are the curves for construction pointing upward. That in turn means continued weak demand for wood products. At the same time, an adjustment of both production volumes and timber prices is taking place — in some cases quickly. A possible bright spot in the long run could be China. p. 11

SCA Timber starts manufacturing shelving

Now SCA Timber takes over Ikea store shelves with the solid pine shelf Gorm. The company has signed a long-term agreement with Ikea that entails the production of at least one million shelves per year. p. 6

Safe and accessible at the crosscut line in Tunadal

Maximum accessibility without compromising safety. That was the requirement when SCA ordered the new crosscut line for Tunadal. The solution was advanced technology and zoning of the line. p. 11

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Free downloading of music and movies — who would have thought that was possible 20 years ago? Designer and lecturer Alexander Lervik sees the same development coming within the furniture industry. Soon, anyone can download a piece of furniture and have it "printed out."

KARIN LEPIKKO

Downloading and printing out a piece of furniture sounds like pure science fiction. Perhaps that is why so few want to take the question seriously. But the technology already exists. With so-called 3D printers, a CAD drawing can be converted into an actual model. The technology is admittedly expensive to use, but just like when the color printer was new, prices drop as the technology becomes more advanced.

"Today there are maybe 10–15 places in Stockholm where you can have three- dimensional objects printed out. Not many people know about that," says designer Alexander Lervik.

So far, there are limitations in size and choice of materials when it comes to 3D printing.

"Or actually, it is possible to print out large objects, but it is still very expensive. When it comes to materials, development is moving forward. Recycled plastics can be used for a long time now," he says.

But now it is also possible to com- bine several different materials in the same product.

"There are razors made in 3D printers that contain two different kinds of plastics and rubber. You can also print out metal and textiles," says Alexander Lervik.

A MATTER OF TIME. The components that are part of upholstered furniture can thus be printed out. It is only a matter of time before a complete upholstered piece of furniture can be made this way, he says. Most likely, one will also learn to develop products in wood com- posites.

"Today, a 3D printer for professional use costs around 700,000 SEK. That might sound like a lot. But keep in mind that in 1988, a color printer cost 500,000 SEK," he adds.

Alexander Lervik became interested in so-called 3D technology when he took part in a future project six years ago. The participants were to think about what life might look like in the year 2050.

"When I looked deeper into 3D technology, I realized that it would affect our lives greatly. But not in 50 years, rather in a much closer future," he says.

THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. Alexander Lervik has studied the music indus- try and sees great similarities with the furniture business.

"The difference is that the furniture indus- try is at the same level as the music industry was 20 years ago. It was then controlled by large global companies, with local companies for different markets. The record labels

INNOVATIVE. Alexander Lervik's furniture and interiors almost always have an innovative element. The pictures show a nightclub interior in Gothenburg and, to the right, the bench Bomerang for the furniture company Skandiform.

Download your own furniture

"The furniture industry is going down the same path as the music business"

were the most important partner for an artist; they handled production, distribution, and marketing. In exactly the same way that the furniture industry today is most important for the designer," he says.

In 1989, record labels could charge well for their CDs. It was believed then that the major threat came from piracy in China.

"Now we know that illegal down- loading is considered the major threat. iTunes and Pirate Bay handle dist- ribution and have taken over the store's role. The concert promoter has become the artist's most important contact. The record labels must try to earn money from other activities."

PRINTING STATION. He is sometimes met with the objection that there is a difference between music and an actual object like a piece of furniture. But, he argues, the difference is really only one step. The furniture must be picked up at a "printing station."

When Alexander Lervik lectures, he shows the fictional web shop Pirate Furn, which he created himself. In that web shop, you do not search for the nearest dealer; instead, you search for the nearest printing station.

"An entirely new type of store will emerge that bases its business around a 3D printer. There will certainly be plenty of them, even in rural areas, and they will naturally make printouts of other objects as well. Such as spare parts for the car," he says.

For the consumer, this development would bring a series of advantages. Prices could be kept down and one could probably be involved in designing the furniture oneself. Perhaps one wants to have the family members' names written on the back of the chair? Another ad- vantage is that interest in furniture and

Facts Alexander Lervik

Industrial designer Alexander Lervik was born in 1972 and studied in the design program at Beckmans. Before that, he worked among other things as a cabinetmaker. He has created several acclaimed pieces of furniture, including for Skandiform and Johanson Design.

His furniture almost always has some innovative element, such as a handle that changes color or seating furniture that encourages alternative ways of sit- ting. He also designs interiors for shops, restaurants, and, to an increasing extent, nightclubs. Alex- ander Lervik is a frequently booked lecturer. Increasingly, the lec- tures are precisely about the impact of 3D technology on the furniture industry.

NTT #8 2009

design would increase. That was what happened with music when accessibility increased.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY. For the environment, 3D-printed furniture would bring enormous benefits, with reduced transportation and emissions. But what would happen to the designers? And what role will the furniture indus- try have?

"These are questions that we would need to discuss more. Today, the designer lives on roy- alties. What happens if files with our CAD-drawn furniture are down- loaded illegally? Today we distribute our drawings on the web without thinking about this."

Another issue is copyright. Today, the furniture may not be altered without the designer's consent. But what happens in a future when the consumer can participate and put a personal touch on the furniture?

"Perhaps the customer wants a piece of furniture that the designer makes to 90 percent. Then he or she does the rest."

Paradoxically, Alexander Lervik believes that furniture mass-pro- duced through 3D printing will bring an increased interest in genuine craftsmanship.

"If I manufactured genuine wooden furniture with a clear handcrafted feel, I would not feel threatened. 3D furniture will rather become a competitor to Ikea and other volume producers," he says.

English translation of the original article. Text read from the scanned original; small transcription errors may occur.