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…
Creating a winning BattleBot fast
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.…
Make it custom
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 […]
Replica Black Panther mask shows how 3D printing will alter packaging design
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, […]
Replica Black Panther mask shows how 3D printing will alter packaging design
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, […]
Replica Black Panther mask shows how 3D printing will alter packaging design
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, […]
For prototyping and production, you have choices with injection molding
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 […]
For prototyping and production, you have choices with injection molding
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 […]
Best practices when working with Stereolithography
Eric Utley, Applications Engineer, Proto Labs, Inc. Engineers have several options for their prototyping needs; machining, injection molding, and additive manufacturing. Each has benefits, drawbacks, and cost metrics. Of the multiple additive technologies, one of the more common ones used for prototyping is Stereolithography (SL). SL is used to create tangible 3-dimensional objects from CAD […]
Best practices when working with Stereolithography
Eric Utley, Applications Engineer, Proto Labs, Inc. Engineers have several options for their prototyping needs; machining, injection molding, and additive manufacturing. Each has benefits, drawbacks, and cost metrics. Of the multiple additive technologies, one of the more common ones used for prototyping is Stereolithography (SL). SL is used to create tangible 3-dimensional objects from CAD […]
What’s the right material for SA or injection molding applications?
Tony Holtz, applications engineer, Proto Labs Inc. The range of choices available for a prototype or production process can be overwhelming. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when selecting a material for either stereolithography (SL) or injection molding applications. One factor with materials is that there are a lot more materials available […]
What’s the right material for SA or injection molding applications?
Tony Holtz, applications engineer, Proto Labs Inc. The range of choices available for a prototype or production process can be overwhelming. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when selecting a material for either stereolithography (SL) or injection molding applications. One factor with materials is that there are a lot more materials available […]
Webinar: Beyond Prototyping: Reducing Production Costs with On-demand Manufacturing
This webinar was presented live on Wednesday, May 9, 2018. Click below to watch on demand. Accelerating product development and reducing design risk during the prototyping phase has traditionally been a great use case for on-demand manufacturing. However, with the advancements in process automation and material development, quick-turn manufacturing processes like industrial 3D…
Protolabs wins Frost & Sullivan Manufacturing Leadership award for Operational Excellence
Protolabs (NYSE: PRLB), a global leader in technology-enabled manufacturing, today announced that it has been recognized by Frost & Sullivan as a Manufacturing Leadership Awards winner for its outstanding achievement in operational excellence. Protolabs’ winning project was called Cellular Division—a continuous improvement initiative designed to position the company for further business growth, achieve more favorable…
Protolabs expands manufacturing capacity
Protolabs (NYSE: PRLB) has purchased a new manufacturing facility in Brooklyn Park, Minn., the latest step the digital manufacturing company has taken to expand its prototyping and low-volume production capacity. The company has also recently invested in additional manufacturing equipment for both its American and European facilities to support business growth. The new 152,000 sq. […]
How to get the most out of sheet metal rapid prototyping
Protolabs recently acquired Rapid Manufacturing, a service provider that specializes in prototyping with sheet metals. Here’s a look at how to best work with this process for your prototyping needs. We speak with Burke Bero, lead engineer at Rapid Manufacturing, Nashua, NH.
How HP Inc. slashes design cycle time
The goal–make parts fast. The challenge, make prototype parts fast with custom materials. This was the goal of engineers at HP Inc.’s New Product Innovation Team based in Corvallis, Oregon. HP Inc. controls the largest share (approximately 36%) of the world’s highly competitive desktop paper printer market notes research firm International Data Corporation (IDC). Canon […]
Proto Labs agrees to Acquire RAPID Manufacturing Group, expanding services with sheet metal fabrication
Proto Labs (NYSE: PRLB), a global leader in technology-enabled manufacturing, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately held company Rapid Manufacturing Group, LLC (“RAPID”). RAPID is a New Hampshire-based custom parts supplier specializing in quick-turn sheet metal fabrication and CNC machining. With the acquisition, Proto Labs will be able to offer its customers […]
The art of motion: Injection molding and achieving quality at scale
The curse of Kickstarter success—raise millions of dollars, but also raise the stakes. Shipping a product to thousands of customers out of a garage as a two-man company is no easy task. Just ask Bruce Shapiro and Micah Roth, co-creators of the Sisyphus kinetic table. Drawing inspiration from traditional Zen gardens, the kinetic art table […]
Proto Labs expands 3D Printing service with HP’s Multi Jet Fusion technology
Proto Labs (NYSE: PRLB), a global leader in technology-enabled, rapid manufacturing, has announced the addition of Multi Jet Fusion to its suite of 3D printing technologies. The production-grade 3D printing technology, developed by HP, builds fully functional plastic prototypes and production parts with accelerated speed, detailed precision, and consistent mechanical properties. Due to Proto Labs’ […]
Proto Labs offers on-demand manufacturing for low-volume custom molded parts and opens a metrology lab
Digital manufacturing company Proto Labs (NYSE: PRLB) has added a suite of capabilities designed specifically to address the on-demand manufacturing needs of the low-volume, high-mix product segment. For years, there has been a gap in manufacturing services for customers with low-volume, custom molded components. Customers usually had to purchase in large volumes to meet the […]
Improving food production, one garden at a time
In this age of non-GMO, home grown and fully traceable produce, backyard food gardening is on the rise. But it’s not without a few challenges—weeding, proper watering, and so on. What if you could automate many tasks required with gardening? Rory Aronson, a mechanical engineer, hopes to capitalize on this trend with a first-of-its kind, […]
Webinar: Selecting the Right Manufacturing Process for your Next Prototype
Watch this on demand webinar with Proto Labs, recorded on June 29th. Rapid manufacturing offers many different methods for producing your parts and knowing the benefits of each process is beneficial. In this webcast you will learn about rapid manufacturing processes used in prototyping and how to use them to reduce manufacturing costs and time…
Manufacturing Design Tips from Proto Labs
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How additive services can help you meet your prototyping needs
Proto Labs began as a quick turnaround service for subtractive manufacturing designs. Over the last few years, it has expanded its capabilities and offerings, primarily in stereolithography and metal laser sintering. So if you’re not familiar with how Proto Labs can help you use additive manufacturing to prototype parts, this short video will give you […]