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The Digital Thread

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

Past '3d printing' posts

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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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3D Printing part
3D Printing
03/04/2026

3D Printing Design Optimisation: Strength vs. Aesthetics

How to design parts that perform under load while maintaining a refined, customer-ready finish.
By Protolabs
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Drones
3D Printing
06/03/2026

Manufacturing Lightweight Drone Parts with Advanced MJF

With advanced Multi Jet Fusion technology, engineers can build lighter parts for drones.
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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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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The Advantages and Disadvantages of Stereolithography
3D Printing
05/09/2025

Advantages and Disadvantages of Stereolithography (SLA) 3D Printing

Discover the key advantages and disadvantages of stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing, including accuracy, materials, costs, and design considerations.
By Anastasios Pantelis
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3Dp SLA Process
3D Printing
29/08/2025

Strongest 3D Printing Filaments

Discover the strongest 3D printing filaments, from carbon fibre nylon to high-temp ULTEM, and how to choose the right material.
By Protolabs
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Black ABS Plastic Milled Part
3D Printing
30/06/2025

ABS vs. PLA

A side-by-side guide to two of the most popular 3D printing materials, what they do best, and how to choose between them
By Protolabs
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DMLS process
CNC machining
26/05/2025

CNC vs. DMLS: Which One Is Right for Your Part?

Engineers and designers often face this decision when prototyping or producing complex metal parts. Each process comes with strengths and limitations. This guide breaks down the differences, from materials and surface finishes to cost, speed, and complexity, so you can choose the method that best fits your needs.
By Protolabs
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3DP factory
3D Printing
07/05/2025

3D Printing Materials for Rapid Prototyping

See our recommendations for selecting 3D printing materials that are best suited to rapid prototyping. Find out which materials are most durable, cost-effective and commonly used to validate various types of products.
By Protolabs
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