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 will see you again here at 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 in 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, of producing these elements with modern technologies that do not require a lot of operators and with precision."

What are you presenting at nZEB Week?

F.D.: "We present three main technologies. One is timberframe house technology, which is produced by Soukup in the Czech Republic. It produces complete lines that are also controlled by CNC machines. In addition they also produce door and window technologies, 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 emerged. The technology is produced by the Italian company Paoletti. We have, for example, a CLT table as a sample. It is a table made of chestnut wood. Outside there is also a construction, a CLT house on display. CLT is a trendy product, a product that is conquering the timber construction market. Annual growth in world statistics is over 35%. It is mainly aimed at 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 buildings. Statistically, in open fire situations, it takes around 3 hours for a CLT house to actually catch fire, whereas in a metal-framed house, a raging fire will bring the building down within an hour. These are seemingly bizarre phenomena but reality and tests have led to this conclusion.

The third technology we promote is CNC machining technology for timber structures, roof trusses and CLT panels. Basically it is the final part of a technological flow and involves a series of CNCs of various sizes, number of groups, machining laminated beams, monoblock beams, truss elements. So small sections 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 Romanian company will also be able to produce CLT and deliver panels already CNC machined. There is already a contract in progress, I don't think it's a secret, it's a big producer, Glulam from Targoviste will produce CLT. It will deliver unprocessed or processed CLT panels based on designs made by architects, on Essetre equipment. It will be the first manufacturer to produce CLT panels at standard pressures of 8Kg force/cp with hydraulic equipment. Basically, they will be certified to sell on the world market."

L.E. See also Factory tour at Essetre