The Digital Thread

Learn how heat sinks work for thermal management, and how to choose between aluminium, copper, graphite, and composites. Includes manufacturing tips and design guidance.

Learn what steel is made of, how carbon affects properties, and which grades suit your needs. Compare steel types, heat treatments, and finishes.

Discover mild steel properties, applications, and manufacturing benefits. Learn when to choose mild steel for your CNC machining projects with expert insights from Protolabs.

Ductility is the ability for a material to deform without breaking. Learn why it matters in manufacturing, how it's tested, and where it's applied.

Discover what epoxy is, its key properties, manufacturing applications, and how Protolabs uses epoxy-based materials in 3D printing, CNC machining, and injection moulding.

Discover the essential materials for robotics engineering. From lightweight aluminium to advanced polymers, learn how material choice drives robot performance and innovation.

Discover tool steel types, properties, and applications in manufacturing. Learn how to choose the right grade for durability, wear resistance, and precision.

Consider materials along with manufacturing processes for medical device prototyping.

Introducing recycled materials for CNC machining at Protolabs

Choosing the best translucent material for your moulded parts isn’t always crystal clear. There are quite a few things to think about before making your final choice of materials and design.

These hard, versatile materials are perfect for use in projects that require high resistance to wear, abrasion, and chemicals.

Could recycled injection moulding materials work for your part? This blog compares recycled materials to their traditional counterparts.