ProtoLabs

Digital manufacturing company, Protolabs (NYSE: PRLB) launched production capabilities for its metal 3D printing service. These capabilities use secondary processes to improve the strength, dimensional accuracy, and cosmetic appearance of metal parts. Enhanced inspection reporting is also available. “We see it every day. The designers and engineers we work with in industries like aerospace and […]

Digital manufacturer Protolabs (NYSE: PRLB) is celebrating its 20-year anniversary with today’s grand opening of its state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing facility in Brooklyn Park, Minn. The 215,000 sq. ft. CNC machining facility, which currently houses nearly 300 mills and lathes, is Protolabs’ eighth manufacturing plant in the United States, and 12th globally. The new facility is…

Protolabs (NYSE: PRLB), a global leader in technology-enabled manufacturing, has been recognized by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) as a Manufacturing Leadership Awards winner for its outstanding achievement in engineering and production technology. The digital manufacturer’s winning project involved a multi-toolpath engine that helped automate programming efforts in order to reduce customer lead times…

Protolabs offers aluminium anodising as part of its on-demand production service that starts with initial part design and moves through to a finished protected or decorative part – all from just one supplier. Industry’s need for speed has reaped dividends for the high-tech Shropshire manufacturer, with sales rising to £60m across its European operations. “We…

Digital manufacturer Protolabs has teamed with additive manufacturing (AM) consultants Wohlers Associates in a joint effort to accelerate design for manufacturing knowledge around 3D printing. The two organizations will develop an immersive course created to help engineers and designers develop practical methods and strategies to get the most from different 3D printing technologies. “Designing for […]

Digital manufacturing leader Protolabs (NYSE: PRLB) will be showcased as part of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) State of Manufacturing Tour, which highlights manufacturing’s digital transformation, the job opportunities created by this transformation, and the skills required now to work in the industry. The cross-country tour will run from February 19-28, stopping on Feb.…

If you’ve decided not to produce parts in-house, you’ll find a range of out-side contract manufacturing services for production and in just about any quantity you need. Outside services include Service Bureaus, Service Brokers, Independent Machine Shops, and High- Volume Production Houses. Each of these options offers a range of design help, manufacturing processes, capacity,…

CNC machining is a popular way to obtain prototypes and low-volume production runs. And engineers can choose from a range of providers, from full-service providers to independent shops. But the key to selecting a vendor is still how fast can they deliver parts, and do so consistently. The preferred answer is days, not weeks. At…

Recent technological advances such as additive manufacturing and even the Internet of Things are spurring renewed interest in manufacturing. While machining and injection molding offer a solid base for making parts, industries are seeing new technologies enter manufacturing with the promise of delivering greater efficiencies and lower production costs. One notable development is the recently […]

Every year more than 12 million Americans visit their physicians for impacted earwax removal. This condition occurs when enough earwax accumulates to cause symptoms such as pain, fullness, itching, odor, tinnitus, discharge, cough, or hearing loss. The usual solution is to use the Ear & Bladder Syringe, which has been the standard of care since […]

A Minneapolis-based startup has developed a “personal malt-house” for those who enjoy home brewing beer. This personal malt-house, the Acro, is from Sprowt Labs. Home and craft brewers have not had a large assortment of home breweries to choose from, which is one reason co-founders Brian Hedberg and Christopher Abbott created the Acro. Home brewers […]

By Tony Holtz, Applications Engineer, Protolabs Digital Manufacturing is the latest term used to describe developments in the manufacturing world. It is an integrated approach to manufacturing centered around the use of computers, sensors, and the internet. Manufacturing tools that are more automated make it easier to improve efficiency and reduce the costs of production. The…

By Mark Galatis, Engineering Manager, DFM Specialist, Sheet Metal, Protolabs To get the most out of your sheet metal design, keep a few key tips in mind. Managing tolerances Precision sheet metal has many variables that effect tolerance, shape, size, and features. For example, sheet thickness tolerances from a mill can vary from +/-.0035 on…

Because Protolabs offers a number of digital manufacturing services, the staff track the continuing advancements in additive manufacturing (also known as industrial 3D printing), injection molding, machining, and materials. Additive manufacturing, in particular, continues to undergo frequent advances. Recently, Applications Engineer Eric Utley offered his observations of the ongoing developments in additive technology. 1.Which additive […]

Driven by a successful Kickstarter campaign, Boulder, Colorado-based, connected-musical applications company Specdrums had a challenge on its hands. With orders in the queue, the growing company needed production help – they needed it fast, and in a manner that could scale for future growth. The company’s success is due to its game-changing innovation that brings […]

The craft beer scene is exploding across the U.S., but the popularity of home- and micro-brewing has uncovered a gap in the supply chain when it comes to malting. To date, malt—a critical ingredient in beer—has been dominated by large industrial malting operations. While it’s easy to get standard bulk malts, brewers looking for local…

When Parker Hannifin CEO Don Washkewicz challenged his team to explore the future of the company seven years ago, the team explored robotic devices, such as a robotic exoskeleton, for medical applications. Parker has key core competencies in motion and control technologies, and this led the team to look into wearable robotic devices in the […]

STEREOLITHOGRAPHY, or SL, emerged in the mid-1980s and established itself as a staple of additive manufacturing (AM) over the next decade. Since that time, SL’s ability to quickly and accurately create complex prototypes has helped transform the design world like never before. As with other AM processes like selective laser sintering (SLS) and direct metal…

The BattleBots competition has become a popular entertainment. But it is also an opportunity for engineers to hone their fast design practices and study failure analysis. One of the recent match winners of the current BattleBots season is Hal Rucker. Rucker uses Protolabs to make custom machine keys, motor faces and mountings, and wheel guards.…

Digital manufacturing practices can help product makers meet consumer expectations for customization, faster delivery and frequent product updates “You can have any color, as long as it’s black.” The mass production approach to manufacturing that guided Henry Ford’s early work wouldn’t go far with consumers today. Not when they can buy custom Mini Coopers, made-to-order […]

As the “Black Panther” premiere drew near, PepsiCo put the finishing touches on a special promotional kit and sent it out to hundreds of online influencers and others involved with the creation of the movie. Developed by PepsiCo and Marvel Studios, the limited-edition kit consisted of five cans representing each of the movie’s main characters, […]

As the “Black Panther” premiere drew near, PepsiCo put the finishing touches on a special promotional kit and sent it out to hundreds of online influencers and others involved with the creation of the movie. Developed by PepsiCo and Marvel Studios, the limited-edition kit consisted of five cans representing each of the movie’s main characters, […]

As the “Black Panther” premiere drew near, PepsiCo put the finishing touches on a special promotional kit and sent it out to hundreds of online influencers and others involved with the creation of the movie. Developed by PepsiCo and Marvel Studios, the limited-edition kit consisted of five cans representing each of the movie’s main characters, […]

Rapid injection molding works best for on-demand production, bridge tooling, pilot runs, and functional prototyping. There are several options for injection molding, with aluminum a popular choice as a material for the molds. Probably one of the first decision points is to decide whether you want to validate your design or you need flexible, on-demand […]

Rapid injection molding works best for on-demand production, bridge tooling, pilot runs, and functional prototyping. There are several options for injection molding, with aluminum a popular choice as a material for the molds. Probably one of the first decision points is to decide whether you want to validate your design or you need flexible, on-demand […]