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The Digital Thread

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

Past 'digital manufacturing' posts

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carbon bone drill

The Carbon Platform

Adding to Protolabs’ available technologies for rapid prototyping and on-demand production, Carbon’s suite of software, hardware, and materials provides another production method for end-use parts.
By Steve Wishau
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Shopfloor machines

Batch Production and Batch Manufacturing:

This blog answers your questions about batch production. When is it suitable? What are the advantages? And more,
By Protolabs
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Customer service working on a computer

Using 3D Printing to Create Replacement Parts

Unique products are amazing until parts break and you can’t obtain replacements. Enter 3D printing.
By Eric Utley
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boat with shipping containers

Architecting a Manufacturing Framework for the Future

Manufacturing is changing. In the past, manufacturing was all about mass production and economies of scale, but now shifting consumer demands are driving a transformation of the industry. In this blog, we break down some of the key trends piloting these changes.
By Protolabs
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Boltzmann Brain

How Digital Manufacturing Turns Information into Reality

Using the field of Information Science to learn more deeply explore additive manufacturing.
By Eric Utley
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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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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

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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design engineer at a computer

The Foundations of Human-Centric Design in Manufacturing

If we want our product to be useful, fit for purpose, and marketable, we need to consider many factors, starting with its design. Whether you've identified a product need or a market gap, you'll want to ensure your end product is appropriate.
By Protolabs
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5 axis indexed milling
CNC Machining
21/03/2024

Why Engineers Choose 5-Axis Indexed Milling for Product Innovation

Discover why engineers are selecting 5-axis indexed milling for their parts. This blog looks at the advantages of 5-axis indexed milling.
By Alex Edwards
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shop floor machines
Supply Chain
14/03/2024

What is Lean Manufacturing? And What are the 5 Principles?

Lean Manufacturing (or Lean Production) has been around for years (since 1450 to be precise), but what is lean manufacturing and why is it important? Learn more
By Protolabs
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Custom manufacturing in  progress

Unleashing Creativity: The Power of Custom Manufacturing Services

Advances in the technology used in custom manufacturing has opened up a world of possibility for product designers and developers. Find out more at Protolabs
By Protolabs
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