Talking large-scale 3D printing with Thermwood CEO Ken Susnjara

Ken Susnjara founded Thermwood Corp. more than 50 years ago. Today, the company builds 3- and 5-axis CNC routers and large-scale 3D printers—some with beds measuring 15 by 40 ft.—that produce thermoplastic structures.

The Dale, Ind., company sells its products globally to customers in the aerospace, automotive, defense, furniture-making, marine, and medical industries.

In an interview with the Additive Reporter, Don Nelson, Susnjara explains what prompted him to begin building large-scale additive manufacturing machines and the challenges of launching a line of products that had no predecessors. He also offers advice for those contemplating getting into 3D-printing big parts.

Correction: In the introduction to the video, Don Nelson says Ken Susnjara has written three books. The correct number is 10. We regret the error.