Florin Dumitrașcu, Ligna Dumi Tech - Next year a large manufacturer will produce CLT on Essetre machines

This year at nZEB Week in Cluj-Napoca we had the surprise to meet Florin Dumitrașcu, Manager Ligna Dumi Tech, as an exhibitor. I say surprise because we didn't expect to see machinery suppliers at the nZEB Caravan. We took advantage of the meeting to see what new machines and technologies Ligna Dumi Tech brings for the construction of wooden houses.

After BIFE-SIM 2022 we see you here again at the nZEB Week in Cluj. What brings you here as an exhibitor and what are your goals?

Florin Dumitrașcu: "AWe wanted to do an experiment, to present modern production solutions for these green houses, nZEB houses, etc. We use high-performance materials in their production. In this case the processing has to be the same way. So if we are talking about houses with very good airtightness and almost zero energy consumption, we must also have ways of combining and producing these elements with modern technologies that do not require very many operators and with precision."

What are you presenting at nZEB Week?

F.D.: "We present three main technologies. One is the technology for timberframe houses, these are the technologies produced by Soukup in the Czech Republic. They produce complete lines that are also controlled by CNC machines. Complementarily they also produce technologies for doors and windows, CNCs dedicated to doors and windows.

Another technology is product technology CLT, so wooden cross structures. These are more complex technologies, involving investments of more than two million euros, but discussions and the first pioneers in Romania have already started. The technology is produced by Paoletti in Italy. We have, for example, a CLT table as a sample. It is a table made of chestnut wood. There is also a CLT house on display outside. CLT is a trendy product, a product that is conquering the wooden construction market. Annual growth in world statistics is over 35%. It mainly addresses seismic zones, maximum safety buildings, fire resistant buildings. Apparently it is a paradox, but CLT buildings are more fire resistant buildings than concrete or combined concrete and metal. Statistically, in open fire situations, it takes around 3 hours for a CLT house to actually catch fire before the building actually burns down, whereas in a metal structure house, violent fire in an hour collapses the building. These are seemingly bizarre phenomena but reality and tests have led to this conclusion.

The third technology we are promoting is CNC machining technology for timber structures, frames and CLT panels. Basically it is the final part of a technology flow and involves a series of CNC machines of various sizes, number of groups, machining glulam beams, one-piece beams, truss elements. So small sections up to very large sections, including CLT panels of size 13.5/3.5 m, which is the size of a CLT hydraulic product press.

Next year, towards the end of the year, a company in Romania will also be able to produce CLT and deliver panels already processed on CNC. There is already a contract in progress, I don't think it's a secret, it's a big manufacturer, Glulam from Targoviste will produce CLT. It will deliver unprocessed or processed CLT panels based on projects realized by architects, on Essetre equipment. It will be the first manufacturer to execute CLT panels at standard pressures of 8Kg force/hp with hydraulic equipment. Basically, they will be able to be certified to sell on the world market."

L.E. See also Factory tour in Essetre