A Framework for the Future: Digital Factories x Manufacturing Network

Speed and quality meet advanced capabilities and volume pricing—all with one reliable manufacturing resource

Why Digital Manufacturing?

Bring ideas to market with the fastest and most comprehensive digital manufacturing service in the world. Our digital factories produce low-volume parts in days while our digital network of manufacturing partners unlocks advanced capabilities and volume pricing at higher quantities. The result? One manufacturing source—from prototyping to production—for product developers, engineers, and supply chain teams across the globe.

What is Digital Manufacturing?

End-to-end manufacturing from quoting to production to shipping, inclusive of our in-house digital factories and our digital network of manufacturing partners

Digital Factories

Our in-house digital manufacturing factories in the U.S. and Europe

Rapid prototyping to low-volume production
Automated, interactive design analysis within quotes
Industry-best lead times within
current envelope
Focus on quality control and documentation
Expert technical consultation and
world-class customer support

Protolabs Network

Our global network of premium manufacturing partners powered by Hubs

Rapid prototyping to high-volume production
Instant market-based pricing within quotes
Tighter tolerances and more complex parts with flexible lead times
Volume pricing on production orders
Part precision and standardization through highly vetted supply network and quality assurance process
Expert technical consultation and world-class customer support

Enhanced Manufacturing Capabilities with Our Digital Network

Our digital network of manufacturers unlocks expanded capabilities across services. To move injection molding from low-volume (10,000+ parts) to higher-volume (100,000+ parts) production, try our network. Anodizing and tighter tolerances are available with CNC machining. And both molding and machining have volume pricing options for lower piece-part cost. You can even prototype quick and cost-efficiently with FDM 3D printing. Get more out of manufacturing with our digital network.

Try Protolabs Network

What manufacturing services do

Protolabs’ factories and its network provide?

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Factory Molding

Our digital factories produce affordable, high-quality molded parts and bridge tooling within days. And with our free moldability consultation, the design and molding process is rapidly accelerated saving time and money.

Low-volume molding up to 100,000+ parts with volume pricing available; no MOQ required
Automated CMM for fast, in-house quality documentation
Interactive moldability analysis in hours; sample parts in as fast as 1 day
Max. part size: 18.9 in. x 29.6 in. x 8 in. (480mm x 751mm x 203mm)
8 surface finish options: A1, B1, C1, F0-F2 (Protolabs-specific), T1-T2 (Protolabs-specific), plus Mold-Tech equivalent finishing options
100+ plastic, elastomeric, and silicone rubber materials
Reduce financial risk with aluminum tooling

Network Molding

Our digital network opens up molding capabilities for larger, and more complex parts in higher-volume production quantities.

High-volume molding with price breaks available
High-requirement projects for larger, deeper, more complex molded parts
Quotes for 100,000+ parts
All complexities sized up to 79 in. (2m)
12 surface finishes (A1-A3, B1-B3, C1-C3, D1-D3) plus Mold Tech finishes available
Custom color-matching possible
Aluminum and steel tooling, including Tool Steel P20

Factory Machining

With hundreds of in-house CNC machines, our digital factories have infinite capacity to ensure parts are shipped on-time, every single time.

Plastic and metal parts in as fast as 1 day
Production components in lower volumes
ISO 9001 and AS9100-certified, plus ITAR compliant, CNC machining factories
Max. part size (machining): 22 in. x 14 in. x 3.75 in. (559mm x 356mm x 95.3mm) /
Min. part size: 0.25 in. x 0.25 in
(6.35mm x 6.35mm)
Max. diameter/length (turning): 3.95 in. (100.33mm) x 9 in. (228.6mm) /
Min. diameter/length: 0.16 in.
(4.07mm) x 0.05 in. (1.27mm)
Tolerances down to ± 0.005 in. (0.13mm)
40+ metals and plastic materials

Network Machining

Our digital network expands our machining capabilities with tighter tolerances, volume pricing, and the ability to handle more complex parts.

Instant quotes for up to 1,000 parts
Tighter tolerances on complex machined parts
Cost-efficient machined parts at higher volume
Complete parts with all features milled, holes tapped, and post-process finishing applied
Plating (black oxide, nickel), anodizing (Type II, Type III), and chromate coating at scale
AS9100-certified machining network
Max. part size: 40 in. (1,000mm) / Min. part size: 0.02 in. (0.5mm) / Min. diameter: 0.01 in. (0.3 mm)
Tolerances down to ±0.001 in. (0.020mm)
50+ metals and plastic materials
10+ surfaces finishes

Factory 3D Printing

We have the largest additive manufacturing operation in the world (U.S. and Germany) for functional prototyping and end-use production of quality 3D-printed parts.

Six different 3D printing technologies: DMLS, SLA, SLS, MJF, Carbon, and PolyJet
25 years of additive manufacturing expertise
Automated, interactive design analysis and real-time pricing on printed parts
Highly precise and repeatable printed parts
Max. build size (plastic SLA): 29 in. x 25 in. x 21 in. (736mm x 635mm x 533mm)
Max. build size (metal DMLS): 31.5 in. x 15.7 in. x 19.7 in. (400mm x 800mm x 500mm)
Dimensional accuracy (plastic SLA): X/Y dimension of ±0.002 in. (0.05mm), Z dimension tolerances of ±0.005 in. plus 0.1% of nominal length for X/Y/Z dimensions
Dimensional accuracy (metal DMLS): +0.003 in. (0.076mm) plus 0.1% of nominal length
AS9100-certified for DMLS, SLS, and MJF
30 plastic and metal materials (ABS-like, PC-like, nylon, stainless steel, aluminum)

Network 3D Printing

We build cost-efficient 3D-printed prototypes and end-use parts built with fused deposition modeling (FDM). Customer can choose from a wide material and color selection for repeatable and precise parts within days.

Desktop and industrial FDM 3D printing
Network of highly experienced 3D printing shops
Competitive pricing for quick-turn printed parts
Max. build size (desktop FDM): 19.68 in. x 19.68 in. x 19.68 in. (500mm x 500mm x 500mm)
Dimensional accuracy (desktop FDM): ±0.5% with a lower limit on 0.0196 in. (±0.5mm)
Access to ISO 13485 suppliers
15+ plastic materials (PLA, PC, nylon, Ultem) in a range of color options for FDM
Instant quotes for parts in as fast as 1 business day

Factory Sheet Metal Fabrication

We have infinite capacity and an easy-to-use online quoting system ensuring on-time shipment every time—whether you need a single part or 500 parts.

Fast and simple interactive quotes within hours
More than 200 machines all under one roof for reliable part delivery within 5 days
Team of knowledgeable engineers to optimize sheet metal part designs
Laser cutting, punch, and press brake with sheet thickness of 0.024 in. (0.609mm) to 0.250 in. (6.35mm)
Max. part size: 39 in. x 47 in. (990.6mm x 1,193.8mm) on flat parts; Min. part size: 0.500 in. x 0.500 in. (12.7mm x 12.7mm) on formed parts
Six sheet metal materials including aluminum, stainless steel, steel, brass, and copper
Finishing options from welding and hardware insertion to powder coating, silk screening, and plating/anodizing

Network Sheet Metal Fabrication

Our digital network is ideal for small, production-grade sheet metal parts for concepts, prototypes, pre-production validation, and small run series.

Instant sheet metal quotes with design feedback
More than 250 suppliers in the digital network for
high-quality sheet metal parts in 5-23 days
Dedicated team of to ensure consistency and quality of sheet metal parts
Laser cutting and bending with sheet thicknesses of 0.039 in. (1mm) to 0.236 in.(6mm)
Tolerances down to 0.008 in. (0.2mm) for cutting features
Variety of materials available, including aluminum, stainless steel, mild steel, and copper
Finishing options include brushed, bead blasted, powder coating, and plating/anodizing

Navigating the Numbers Behind Digital Manufacturing

Follow the digital thread for a look at the data inside a reinvented industry model that pairs our technology-enabled factories with a global network of manufacturers at Hubs.

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