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The Digital Thread

Your blog feed for manufacturing resources, in-depth features, and industry news.
Mark Rober’s Glitter Bomb 4.0
MFG x Makers
05/10/2026

Mark Rober’s Glitter Bomb 4.0 Hits Doorsteps with a Manufacturing Hand from Protolabs

The majority of the roughly 2 million packages stolen each year happen in December, as holiday shopping ramps up and the world awaits near-daily Amazon deliveries. This year we're helping Mark Rober with his latest Glitter Bomb creation.
By Protolabs
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Latest Posts

low volume production
Small Batch Production
02/11/2026

How Small Batch Production Helps you Scale on Demand

The benefits of manufacturing in smaller runs and building part inventory as you need it.
By Protolabs
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protolabs scale
Prototyping
27/10/2026

11 Tips for Faster Prototyping

Here are 11 practical tips to help you get prototypes in your hands sooner and keep product development moving.
By Protolabs
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Stacked translucent acrylic blocks with labels, set against a blurred background.
Materials Science
07/10/2026

Polypropylene or Polyethylene? Evaluating Two Popular Polymers

Both plastics are among the most used materials, but key differentiators dictate their application.
By Protolabs
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An engineer checks settings on his CNC mill prior to machining a part.
Digital Manufacturing
05/10/2026

What is NPI Manufacturing? New Product Introduction Explained.

Properly conceived new product introductions can mean the difference between success or failure.
By Gurvinder Singh
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CNC Material
materials
25/09/2026

Stiffness vs. Strength: Definitions & Comparisons for Better Performing Parts

Compare material stiffness and strength and understand how each affects part performance
By Protolabs
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Polyamide
materials
24/09/2026

What Is a Polyamide? Common Types and Manufacturing Applications

Explore polyamide properties, grades, manufacturing processes, and applications
By Protolabs
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CNC Programming
CNC machining
27/08/2026

What Is G Code? CNC Programming and How It Works

Learn what G code is, how CNC programming works, and how good part design improves machining.
By Protolabs
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Injection Moulding Tool
Injection Moulding
25/08/2026

Soft vs. Hard Tooling: Injection Moulding Comparison Guide

Compare aluminium and steel injection moulds to choose the right tooling for your production volume, budget, and timeline
By Protolabs
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CNC machining
CNC machining
20/08/2026

CNC Hole Design: Through, Blind, Tapped, and More

Learn to design CNC machining holes for accuracy, manufacturability, and cost-effective production.
By Protolabs
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MJF vs. FDM 3D Printing
3d printing
22/06/2026

MJF vs. FDM 3D Printing

Compare MJF and industrial FDM to select the best additive manufacturing process for functional prototypes and production parts
By Protolabs
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3D-Printed Medical Part
3D Printing
29/05/2026

3D Printing is Making Patient Anatomy Easier to Visualise

Discover how 3D printed anatomical models help healthcare teams visualise anatomy, improve training, and prepare for procedures.
By Protolabs
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PolyJet 3D-Printed Part
3D Printing
26/05/2026

How 3D Printing Is Transforming Medical Tool and Equipment Production

How additive manufacturing helps create custom medical tools faster and more efficiently.
By Protolabs
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