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The Digital Thread

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

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Woman running on a blue track

Paralympic Gold Medalist Creates Custom Prosthetics for Athletes

BioDapt’s prosthetics allow adaptive athletes to continue doing what they love
By Protolabs
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3D brain with purple background for Artificial Intelligence

ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and the Future of Design using AI and 3D Printing

Will your next designer be a computer? Explore how AI is making inroads in CAD modeling.
By Eric Utley
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Protolabs x IMechE Survey 2023
Thought leadership
06/09/2023

Protolabs x IMechE Survey 2023: Cost Pressures Hit Manufacturing's Sustainability Goal

As the price of raw materials and labour rises, our annual survey of the UK manufacturing industry in association with IMechE reveals a new focus on cost: both as a major concern for businesses, and as a potential bottleneck in their adoption of new technologies. In this blog, we explore the survey results in detail.
By Protolabs
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Protolabs x IMarEST Survey 2023
Thought leadership
01/09/2023

Protolabs x IMarEST Survey 2023: Turning Down the Heat

Decarbonisation is the main challenge facing the maritime industry, according to a new survey by the IMarEST and Protolabs – but new technologies offer reasons to be optimistic.
By Protolabs
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Man writing on clear surface

Accelerating Hardware Prototyping for Startups and Small Companies

Doing the right things in the prototyping phase is a bit more complex than it looks at first glance. Hardware requires special rules to get the results you need.
By Protolabs
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manufacturing shop floor

Crisis, what crisis? Four years that shaped Manufacturing Change

In this blog we look back on the last four years of manufacturing - the challenges that were overcome, and how this has prepared the sector to meet new challenges head on in the future. Results are reflective of the yearly manufacturing survey sent out to the community in partnership with IMechE.
By Protolabs
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How digital manufacturing is making prosthetics more personal
medical
25/09/2022

How digital manufacturing is making prosthetics more personal

Digital manufacturing is shaping the future of prosthetics and orthotics by producing more personalised and comfortable solutions faster and at a lower cost. It is also accelerating the development of new ideas through rapid prototyping to test new solutions.
By Protolabs
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Surgical instruments, aids and models and the role of digital manufacturing
medical
18/09/2022

Surgical instruments, aids and models and the role of digital manufacturing

Digital manufacturing is revolutionising surgery. It provides both surgeons and instrument manufacturers with the information and equipment that they need to achieve better results faster and more cost effectively.
By Protolabs
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Speeding up product development for medical devices
medical
11/09/2022

Speeding up product development for medical devices

Getting a new medical device from concept through approval and to manufacture to the deadlines that you and your team expect is a real challenge. Yet something that the recent pandemic has taught us is that it is possible to innovate and achieve production quickly when it is really needed.
By Protolabs
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7 Trends Driving the Future of Consumer Electronics Manufacturing

7 Trends Driving the Future of Consumer Electronics Manufacturing

Consumer electronics continues to be as fast paced as always, and with so much happening, are you up to date on the key trends shaping the future of product development and manufacturing in the industry? Don’t worry, we’ve done the hard work for you and compiled 7 key trends driving the future of consumer electronics manufacturing.
By Protolabs
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3D printing and customised medical implants
medical
04/09/2022

3D printing and customised medical implants

3D printing is making major inroads into customising medical implants for individuals. It allows implant manufacturers and sometimes even hospitals to create complex geometries and patient specific solutions that saves the surgeon time and improves a patient’s outcome.
By Protolabs
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Digital manufacturing and the future of dentistry
medical
29/08/2022

Digital manufacturing and the future of dentistry

Major dental work traditionally takes days of time and effort but as technology evolves even complex treatment is possible in just a few hours thanks to digital technology.
By Protolabs
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