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The Digital Thread

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

Past 'Tech Tips' posts

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injection molding living hinge diagram
Tech Tips
17/08/2023

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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3D printed plastic prototype orientation
Tech Tips
13/07/2023

Designing 3D Printed Parts with Speed in Mind

When it comes to rapid prototyping, speed is key. Finding a supplier that can turn around your parts quickly and accurately is vital. Did you know there are things you can do when designing your part to ensure the quickest build possible?
By Protolabs
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Design and manufacture of trickle vents
Tech Tips
11/07/2023

What Are the Key Considerations When Designing Trickle Vents?

Key considerations for designing trickle vents including advantages, disadvantages, challenges in design and solutions.
By Protolabs
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From Blueprint to Reality: 3D Printing’s Role in Architecture

From Blueprint to Reality: 3D Printing’s Role in Architecture

The architecture industry is undergoing a game-changing transformation thanks to 3D printing. In this blog we explore how architects are embracing this technology to revolutionise how they design, construct, and experience buildings.
By Protolabs
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cnc machining
CNC Machining
27/06/2023

CNC Machining for Slide Bearings

Slide bearings are a critical component in many engineering applications, they provide a smooth, low-friction surface that allows parts to move back and forth multiple times, with a long service life. This blog covers materials to consider for slide bearings.
By Protolabs
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Protolabs Blog
Tech Tips
22/05/2023

An Introduction to Design for Manufacture for Additive Manufacturing

We’re going to be posting a mix of our industry insights, technical tips and manufacturing advice every week – so make sure you keep an eye out for our updates.
By Protolabs
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aerospace part being taken out of delivery box
Tech Tips
13/02/2023

Production Methods for the new frontier

Driving innovation in any industry is difficult, but it’s particularly tricky in the space industry. Parts need to be reliable, withstand increasingly harsh conditions, function for extended periods without maintenance and remain lightweight yet tough enough to withstand the forces of launch and space travel. With these requirements in mind, it's important to select the right manufacturing method.
By Protolabs
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This plastic moulded enclosure is actually an assembly of multiple parts
Tech Tips
03/10/2022

Selecting a Manufacturing Method for Electronic Enclosures

Despite their widely varying applications, many electronic devices have at least one thing in common—the circuit boards and other components that make them work are all in an enclosure.
By Protolabs
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Rapid Prototyping for every stage of product development
Tech Tips
10/08/2022

Rapid Prototyping for every stage of product development

Rapid Prototyping for every stage of product development
By Protolabs
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CNC machining
CNC Machining
19/05/2021

Understanding CNC manufacturing costs

Understanding CNC manufacturing costs
By David Ewing
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img from protolabs ecom platform
Tech Tips
02/11/2020

How to: Quoting, Design Analysis, and Part Ordering

We're here, right now, because we’ve revolutionised manufacturing once again with our all-new digital experience engineered with you—our customer—in mind. From quoting to production to quality control, we’ve rebuilt our entire manufacturing system around speed to help transform ideas to products and optimize manufacturing throughout the product life cycle, prototyping to on-demand production.
By Matthew Hatch
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Thin walls in protolabs ecom platform
Tech Tips
02/11/2020

How to: A Deep Dive into Design Analysis

In this, our second post in the series, we take a closer look at what is arguably the most important benefit of the platform, sandwiched between your request for analysis and actual placement of your order. It’s our automated, interactive design analysis. And with the relaunch of our new platform, you’ll see that we’ve given it a modern interface along with some new features you’ll find valuable.
By Matthew Hatch
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