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The Digital Thread

Your blog feed for manufacturing resources, in-depth features, and industry news.

Latest Posts

cnc milling a blue nylon block
Materials Science
23/01/2026

Types of Nylon: How They Stack Up

There are many varieties of strong, durable nylon. Find out the right one for your application.
By Protolabs
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How Cyber Essentials Supports Secure Manufacturing in the UK
resources
23/01/2026

How Cyber Essentials Supports Secure Manufacturing in the UK

Our Cyber Essentials certification is one of the ways that we protect your data for more secure digital manufacturing.
By Protolabs
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Metals
materials
13/01/2026

Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals: A Guide for Engineers

Compare ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Learn how iron content affects strength, weight, corrosion resistance, and material selection for real-world applications.
By Protolabs
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Gas Welding
post-processing
12/01/2026

Guide to Gas Welding

Learn what gas welding is, how it works, its pros and cons, and common applications in manufacturing. 
By Protolabs
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The advantages of Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
3D Printing
03/12/2025

Selective Laser Sintering – Its Advantages and Disadvantages

Here we take a brief look at selective laser sintering advantages and disadvantages to see if it could be the right choice for you.
By Protolabs
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A pile of white Nylon Resin pellets
Materials Science
25/11/2025

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Glass-Filled Nylon

Making nylon parts stronger isn’t difficult. All it takes is the addition of glass to your base material. Explore the pros and cons of glass-filled nylon.
By Protolabs
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Industrial 3D printing machines in Protolabs manufacturing facility
3D Printing
24/11/2025

Types of 3D Printing Technology

Learn about the various types of 3D printing technologies available for rapid prototyping and production parts and how to choose the best one for you.
By Protolabs
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Standardised Anodisation Overview
post-processing
24/11/2025

Anodising vs. Powder Coating

Compare anodising vs. powder coating. Learn how each process works, performance differences, material compatibility, and which finish suits your application best.
By Protolabs
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Aluminum Bead Blasted
Materials
24/11/2025

Materials for Heat Sinks

Learn how heat sinks work for thermal management, and how to choose between aluminium, copper, graphite, and composites. Includes manufacturing tips and design guidance.
By Protolabs
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PL CNC Machining Mild Steel
Materials
10/10/2025

Steel Composition Explained: Properties, Grades & Applications

Learn what steel is made of, how carbon affects properties, and which grades suit your needs. Compare steel types, heat treatments, and finishes.
By Protolabs
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Steel Rods
Materials
07/10/2025

Properties of Mild Steel

Discover mild steel properties, applications, and manufacturing benefits. Learn when to choose mild steel for your CNC machining projects with expert insights from Protolabs.
By Protolabs
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injection molding living hinge diagram
Tech Tips
03/10/2025

MJF vs. SLS: A Comparison of Polyamide 3D Printing Technologies

A look at the key differences between Multi Jet Fusion and selective laser sintering and how to determine the optimal process for your application.
By Protolabs
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