---
title: "Norden: Vapor-Smoothed Trim Waste Chute | AMT PostPro"
description: "Norden replaced a sheet metal assembly with one MJF-printed PA12 trim waste chute, vapor smoothed for low friction, better waste flow and cleanability."
canonical: https://amtechnologies.com/resources/case-studies/3d-printed-production-machinery-components/
updated: 2026-10-06
type: case-study
---
Case study · Industrial & food processing

# Optimizing 3D-printed production machinery components for improved waste flow

Norden replaced a complex sheet metal assembly in its tube filling machinery with a single MJF-printed PA12 trim waste chute, then vapor smoothed the part so waste flows freely and the surface stays easy to clean.

[Read the full case study (PDF, opens in a new tab)](https://6983077.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6983077/Website/Case%20Studies/AMT_CS_NORDEN.pdf) [Test your parts](https://amtechnologies.com/test-your-parts/)

Published Feb 11, 2026 Free download, no form

![Black 3D-printed trim waste chute with the Norden logo on its side](https://amtechnologies.com/img/resources/cs-norden-chute-800.webp)

Photo · Norden’s 3D-printed, vapor-smoothed trim waste chute.

- **Customer**: [Norden](https://www.nordenmachinery.com/en)
- **Industry**: [Industrial & food processing](https://amtechnologies.com/industries/industrial/)
- **Application**: Trim waste chute for tube filling machinery
- **Printing**: HP Multi Jet Fusion
- **Material**: PA12
- **Finishing**: [PostPro vapor smoothing](https://amtechnologies.com/products/vapor-smoothing/)
- **Published**: Feb 11, 2026

## From sheet metal to one printed part

Moving the trim waste chute to additive manufacturing simplified production and gave Norden a lightweight, robust part suited to demanding industrial environments.

## Why vapor smoothing

Vapor smoothing creates a sealed, smooth surface that reduces internal friction and supports more efficient waste flow. The sealed surface also improves cleanability by minimizing dust and debris buildup, an important factor in hygiene-sensitive production settings.[PDF](https://6983077.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6983077/Website/Case%20Studies/AMT_CS_NORDEN.pdf)

## The result

By integrating 3D printing with vapor smoothing, Norden improved both manufacturing efficiency and operational performance in its tube filling machinery. A second Norden story, [its pick-and-place part](https://amtechnologies.com/resources/case-studies/vapor-smoothing-for-production-machinery/), follows the same route.

Result

One printed part replaced a sheet metal assembly; sealed surface for waste flow and cleanability[PDF](https://6983077.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6983077/Website/Case%20Studies/AMT_CS_NORDEN.pdf)

Full case study

The complete story as a PDF. Free, no form to fill in.

[Download the PDF (opens in a new tab)](https://6983077.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6983077/Website/Case%20Studies/AMT_CS_NORDEN.pdf)

Related

- [PostPro vapor smoothing](https://amtechnologies.com/products/vapor-smoothing/)
- [Industrial & food processing applications](https://amtechnologies.com/industries/industrial/)
- [All case studies](https://amtechnologies.com/resources/case-studies/)

Norden Machinery on video

## Watch the scale-up story

Nothing loads from YouTube until you press play.

[Watch on YouTube:](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7W67N1FbEg)

Footage · Dec 9, 2025 Length 2:09

### _How Norden Scaled 3D Printing with PostPro Vapor Smoothing | From 3,000 to 10,000+ Parts in 2 years_

Norden Machinery on how vapor smoothing let it place printed parts in hygiene-sensitive areas of its tube filling machines, and how its use of printed parts grew.

[Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7W67N1FbEg)

Test your parts

## Send us a part. See it smoothed.

We vapor smooth your own parts and send them back with the results. No cost to evaluate · Parts returned · Typical turnaround 2–3 weeks[1]

[Test your parts](https://amtechnologies.com/test-your-parts/) [See the systems](https://amtechnologies.com/products/vapor-smoothing/)

## Sources

1. [PostPro benchmarking: send us your 3D printed parts](https://benchmarking.amtechnologies.com/) · AMT · read Oct 6, 2026