The Upload

Protolabs kept two Paralympians in competition with rapid turnaround of critical prosthetic parts

We partnered with Bloodsport, machining key bot parts ahead of the new season

Supporting universities that are making breakthroughs in product innovation is a cause near and dear to us, and we love seeing what the next generation of product designers and engineers are up to!

Making nylon parts stronger isn’t difficult. All it takes is the addition of glass to your base material. Explore the pros and cons of glass-filled nylon.

Choosing to use ABS, polycarbonate (PC), or combining them is a popular way to get strong machined, printed, or molded parts. There are a lot of similarities, but also some significant differences that might help you find just the right one for your parts.

A newly machined metal part can end up with edges that are sharper than desired for the end user unless the design smooths or breaks those sharp edges. To create an edge break, the design should incorporate sloped or beveled edges and corners known as chamfers—or rounded ones called fillets.

We can tell instantly when someone has been thinking carefully about machining in their designs. When we see that process understanding, we know we can produce that part quickly and efficiently, which works out great for both us and our customer.

Perennial fan-favorite, DUCK!, is ready to take on foes large and small, this winter on The Discovery Channel’s popular program, BattleBots. Powered by Protolabs, the wily veteran of several seasons has some great new features in version 3.0.

Machined surface finishes are typically adequate for most parts, but sometimes the standard finish needs to be modified for aesthetic or functional purposes.

Consider these factors before choosing between a hard or soft metal for machining.