Norlase develops and manufactures compact laser modules used by ophthalmologists worldwide. Their products, LEAF and LION, provide a safe and effective alternative to high-risk eye surgery for patients affected by diabetes-related vision impairment. To meet strict medical requirements for precision, compact design, and speed to market, Norlase partnered with Prototal for rapid prototyping and serial production using Industrial 3D Printing.
The Challenge: Compact Medical Devices with High Technical Demands
Norlase’s laser modules must combine:
- Highly complex internal geometries
- Tight tolerances for medical-grade performance
- Compact form factors suitable for everyday clinical use
- Fast development cycles to stay competitive in a global market
The two laser systems differ significantly in size:
- LION: 36 × 23 × 20 cm
- LEAF: 17 × 9 × 3 cm
Traditional manufacturing methods could not support the iterative design process and fast validation needed during development.
The Solution: Sprint-Based Development with Industrial 3D Printing
By working closely with Prototal’s facility in Denmark, Norlase gained access to a flexible, sprint-based development process powered by Industrial 3D Printing.
“If we can quickly clarify — through 3D printing and strong professional collaboration — whether an idea is technically and development-wise feasible, we gain a clear market advantage. Prototal enables exactly that.”
– Danny Noordegraaf, Norlase
Prototal supported Norlase with:
- Rapid translation of sketches into print-ready CAD designs
- Fast production of functional prototypes
- Continuous design adaptations based on real-world user feedback
- Seamless transition from prototype to serial production
Prototal’s Manufacturing Capabilities
With more than 27 years of experience in Industrial 3D Printing, Prototal provides both depth of expertise and production capacity.
At its highly automated facilities, Prototal supports:
- Rapid prototyping and serial production
- Technologies including SLA, SLS, MJF, PolyJet, FDM, and PUR vacuum casting
- A wide selection of materials, colors, and build sizes
This allows medical device manufacturers to produce robust, high-performance components that often match or exceed conventionally manufactured parts.
Close Collaboration, Faster Decisions
A visit to Prototal gave Norlase a clear understanding of the capabilities and limitations of each manufacturing technology. This transparency streamlined collaboration and accelerated decision-making.
In practice, the workflow is simple:
- Norlase sends concept sketches
- Prototal develops technical drawings and production proposals
- Functional parts are delivered shortly after
This approach ensures speed, accuracy, and reliability throughout the development cycle.
Key Results
Through its collaboration with Prototal, Norlase achieved:
- Shorter time-to-market through fast prototype iterations
- Exact-volume production, avoiding overproduction or tooling waste
- Complex, compact designs with integrated cooling channels and battery structures
- Tight tolerances suitable for regulated medical applications
Enabling Medical Innovation with Industrial 3D Printing
Industrial 3D Printing supports medical device companies in moving quickly from idea to market — without compromising on precision, quality, or regulatory demands.
At Prototal, we help medical innovators like Norlase turn complex concepts into production-ready solutions, faster and more efficiently.
