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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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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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analysis in protolabs ecom platform
Tech Tips
02/11/2020

Why Change is Good: The Evolution of a Digital Manufacturing Platform

We launched our company and its digital manufacturing model more than 20 years ago, and a necessary constant throughout those past two decades in the industry has been change. You simply cannot survive as a technology-forward manufacturing company that is complacent with where it is as at—you have to be future-facing.
By Matthew Hatch
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Welcome to Your All New Digital Manufacturing Platform
Tech Tips
02/11/2020

Welcome to Your All New Digital Manufacturing Platform

When we launched more than 20 years ago, our digital manufacturing model was revolutionary. But it’s been necessary to continuously evolve ever since – by expanding our manufacturing services and enhancing our capabilities way beyond the original prototyping service. Many of the customers we serve have grown along with us, so expectation is being continuously elevated.
By Matt Hatch
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Our on-demand manufacturing (ODM) service through our new quoting platform
Tech Tips
02/11/2020

Our ODM service delivers more options and greater flexibility

Our brand new online quoting platform is not the only exciting launch from Protolabs recently. We are also now offering on-demand manufacturing (ODM) as well as prototyping. This means that we can now support you further through your product life-cycle journey.
By Matt Hatch
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injection moulding analysis
Tech Tips
20/10/2020

What's Changing by Service Line: Injection moulding

In this particular article we’ll take a look at the new platform for when uploading parts for injection moulding – Protolabs’ world-leading service for rapid prototypes and end-use production parts.
By Matthew Hatch
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CNC machining quoting platform
Tech Tips
20/10/2020

What's Changing by Service Line: CNC Machining

In this particular article we’ll take a look at the new platform for when uploading parts for CNC machining – Protolabs’ world-leading service for rapid prototypes and end-use production parts.
By Matthew Hatch
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3D printing cad design
Tech Tips
20/10/2020

What's Changing by Service Line: 3D Printing

In this particular article we’ll take a look at the new platform for when uploading parts for 3D printing – Protolabs’ world-leading service for rapid prototypes and functional parts.
By Matthew Hatch
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Flame-Retardant Thermoplastics and UL Classifications
Tech Tips
01/03/2019

UL 94 Classification and Flame-Retardant Thermoplastics

An overview of thermoplastics with flame-retardant characteristics and the UL 94 classification.
By Protolabs
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Mould being milled
Tech Tips
20/02/2019

5 Tips for Saving Time and Money on Your Mould Tool

With product development and manufacturing lead times constantly shortening, what can design engineers do to reduce the time and cost involved with making a mould tool?
By Saleem Shariff
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Injection moulded living hinge
Tech Tips
05/12/2018

3 Tips for tackling complex features in moulding design

Designing for plastic injection moulding is like raising teenagers—some parts (and some teens) are more challenging than others. But by following a few simple rules, even the most difficult of these challenges can be overcome (parenting aside).
By Saleem Shariff
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Microfine green part
Tech Tips
19/11/2018

3D Printing Micro Features with MicroFine Green

Most parts can be built in normal resolution, but for parts with fine features around 0.1mm, high resolution may be required.
By Matt Hatch
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Computing power at Protolabs
Tech Tips
31/10/2018

Rapid Prototyping: There’s More Than One Way to Skin a CAD

There's more than one way to validate and test your design. This post examines the benefits of various prototypes and when each is most appropriate.
By Stephen Dyson
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