---
title: "Norden: Vapor-Smoothed Pick & Place Part | AMT PostPro"
description: "Norden replaced a machined, multi-component assembly with one HP MJF part with internal vacuum channels, vapor smoothed with PostPro for hygiene and wear."
canonical: https://amtechnologies.com/resources/case-studies/vapor-smoothing-for-production-machinery/
updated: 2026-10-06
type: case-study
---
Case study · Industrial & food processing

# How Norden improved efficiency with vapor smoothing for production machinery

To streamline the manufacture of its Pick & Place format part, Norden combined HP MJF printing with PostPro vapor smoothing and replaced a multi-component, traditionally machined assembly with a single lightweight part optimized for performance and cleanability.

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

Published Nov 27, 2025 Free download, no form

![Black vapor-smoothed pick-and-place part fitted with yellow suction cups and a red air hose](https://amtechnologies.com/img/resources/cs-norden-pick-place-800.webp)

Photo · Norden’s vapor-smoothed Pick & Place format part.

- **Customer**: [Norden](https://www.nordenmachinery.com/en)
- **Industry**: [Industrial & food processing](https://amtechnologies.com/industries/industrial/)
- **Application**: Pick & Place format part with internal vacuum channels
- **Printing**: HP Multi Jet Fusion
- **Finishing**: [PostPro vapor smoothing](https://amtechnologies.com/products/vapor-smoothing/)
- **Published**: Nov 27, 2025

## Internal channels, sealed

The redesigned component includes internal vacuum channels that are essential for precise tube handling. PostPro vapor smoothing gave it the sealed, uniform surface finish that hygiene-critical environments and long-term reliability in production require.[1]

## What vapor smoothing delivered

- Superior cleanability and consistent surface quality
- Lower friction and reduced wear during operation
- A high-quality, professional finish suitable for industrial equipment
- Repeatable results that support cost-efficient, scalable manufacturing[1]

The full case study explains how Norden reduced lead times, improved part performance and made production more reliable with post-processing. Norden also uses vapor smoothing on [a printed trim waste chute](https://amtechnologies.com/resources/case-studies/3d-printed-production-machinery-components/).

Result

A single part with internal vacuum channels replaced a multi-component, machined assembly[1]

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_NORDERN_PICK_PLACE.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 story

Nothing loads from YouTube until you press play.

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

Footage · Dec 22, 2025 Length 1:29

### _Improving Pick & Place Tube Filling Automation with HP MJF and PostPro Vapor Smoothing_

Norden Machinery's pick-and-place fingers for tube filling: HP MJF parts with internal vacuum channels, vapor smoothed with PostPro Pure for a glossy, scratch-free, easy-to-clean finish.

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

- [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[2]

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

## Sources

1. [How Norden improved efficiency with vapor smoothing for production machinery (case study)](https://amtechnologies.com/resources/case-studies/vapor-smoothing-for-production-machinery/) · AMT · Nov 27, 2025
2. [PostPro benchmarking: send us your 3D printed parts](https://benchmarking.amtechnologies.com/) · AMT · read Oct 6, 2026