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The Digital Thread

Your blog feed for manufacturing resources, in-depth features, and industry news.
Injection Moulding Recycled Materials
Material Science
21/05/2024

The Rise of Recycled Materials:

Could recycled injection moulding materials work for your part? This blog compares recycled materials to their traditional counterparts.
By Protolabs
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Latest Posts

Hitekw Tennis Racket
Industry Insights
18/07/2024

Game Changing Innovations

This blog looks at the sporting industry and how digital manufacturing is being increasingly used to its advantage.
By Protolabs
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Prototyping
Tech Tips
11/07/2024

How to prototype like a pro: Get your product to market faster!

Overcoming the challenges of prototyping to bring your product to market.
By Protolabs
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3D Printing machines
3D Printing
04/07/2024

How has Digital Manufacturing Evolved?

A look back at the last 40 years of 3D printing and how digital manufacturing has evolved.
By Protolabs
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Gaming trends
Industry Spotlight
02/07/2024

Top 5 Gaming Trends: How Manufacturers Can Help Level Up The Industry

In the dynamic gaming industry, staying ahead of the latest tech and software is crucial. In this blog we explore 5 Gaming trends and manufacturing's role within it. Companies like Protolabs provide pre-production services and expert engineering support, enabling game developers and designers to accelerate production and bring innovations to the market faster.
By Protolabs
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Aerospace Manufacturing in 2024 - On demand webinar
Thought leadership
01/07/2024

Protolabs and RAeS Webinar: Aerospace Manufacturing in 2024 – The Big Issues

In this panel discussion we look at the predictions and insights on the horizon for the Aerospace industry with Aerospace experts.
By Protolabs and RAeS
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mass production
Supply Chain
27/06/2024

The Theory, Advantages and Disadvantages of Just-In-Time Manufacturing

For the manufacture of goods, efficiency is paramount. A process that reaps lean operations and inventory management is just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing. Learn more.
By Protolabs
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injection moulding machines
Digital Manufacturing
20/06/2024

How to select the best manufacturing process for your Part

Torn between 3D printing, CNC machining and Injection Moulding as a manufacturing process for your product? Learn how to pick the right process at Protolabs
By Protolabs
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Clear ABS resin pellets
Materials Science
13/06/2024

ABS vs. PC: Comparing Two Common Thermoplastics

Choosing to use ABS, polycarbonate (PC), or combining them is a popular way to get strong machined, printed, or moulded parts. There are a lot of similarities, but also some significant differences that might help you find just the right one for your parts.
By Protolabs
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aerospace in flight
Thought leadership
11/06/2024

Aerospace Manufacturing in 2024

In 2024, a joint survey from the Royal Aeronautical Society and Protolabs, revisited a 2023 questionnaire on the top concerns and issues for those in aerospace manufacturing. One year on, what were the fresh findings of this updated industry snapshot?
By Protolabs
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HDPE resin pellets closeup
Materials Science
06/06/2024

Translucent and Clear Plastic Injection-Moulded Parts

Choosing the best translucent material for your moulded parts isn’t always crystal clear. There are quite a few things to think about before making your final choice of materials and design.
By Protolabs
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Nylon vs Delrin
Materials Science
30/05/2024

Nylon vs. Delrin: Strong, Durable Materials Ideal for High-Wear Applications

These hard, versatile materials are perfect for use in projects that require high resistance to wear, abrasion, and chemicals.
By Protolabs
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Tennis racket with blue background
3D Printing
29/05/2024

A 3D-Printed Tennis Racket Merges Art with Athletics

Partnership between Protolabs and All Design Lab brings metal 3D-printed tennis racket to life
By Protolabs
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