The Upload

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Past 'additive manufacturing' posts

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Woman in blue working with machinery, illuminated by a warm orange light.
3D Printing
October 25, 2023

When to Outsource 3D Printing Production

Desktop 3D printers are an attractive option for some companies—but how well will they work for you?
By Protolabs
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Customer service working on a computer
Digital Manufacturing
September 5, 2023

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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Manufacturing process
3D Printing
November 28, 2022

Leveraging EDM to Rapidly Scale Metal Additive Manufacturing

New EDM technology rapidly removes printed parts from build plates, reducing cost and lead time.
By Protolabs
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3D print cad design
3D Printing
November 1, 2022

5 Ways 3D Printing Enriches Product Design

3D printing offers a wealth of opportunities to iterate rapid prototypes for testing and more.
By Eric Utley
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3 square FDM Prints
MFG 360
May 26, 2022

A Brief Look at Desktop and Industrial FDM 3D Printing

There’s one of only a few 3D printing processes that is possible at both a desktop- and industrial-level. It’s fused deposition modeling (FDM), although you’ll sometimes see it referred to as fused filament fabrication (FFF). It’s a great printing process to create prototype parts to test fit and form. Because it prints using thermoplastic material, it also delivers parts that are functional when in a high-heat environment, or when exposed to chemicals or mechanical stress.
By Protolabs
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Threading insert
Tech Tips
May 20, 2022

Threading in 3D Printing: Heat Set and Press Fit Inserts, Tapping

There’s one fundamental thing you need to know about threading and assembling inserts into 3D-printed parts: What you can and can’t manufacture depends on the material properties of both the part and the insert. A second thing to keep in mind: It pays to design for standard taps and inserts whenever possible.
By Protolabs
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Duke engineering classroom
Education
August 16, 2021

When 3D Printing is the Double-edged Sword that Leads to the ‘Manufacturability Talk’

At our current point in time in the evolution of additive manufacturing, 3D printing serves as both a blessing and a curse with young engineers—thankfully, Protolabs gets it.
By Paul Fearis
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MJF parts
MFG 360
July 20, 2021

Roundtable Roundup: Multi Jet Fusion

We recently hosted a customer roundtable on leveraging 3D printing for end-use production. Listeners got a behind-the-scenes look at how tech startup, OVR Technology, used HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing to reduce development time on its R&D product roadmap.
By Rachel Hunt
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Hacksmith Industries
3D Printing
April 23, 2021

Protolabs and Hacksmith 3D Print Metal Grappling Hook from The Mandalorian

The crew at Hacksmith Industries are pros in taking fictional ideas from comics, movies, and video games, and making actual functioning prototypes. So naturally, we teamed up to help them create creating the world’s fastest grappling hook winch, made famous on The Mandalorian series.
By Protolabs
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3D-printed parts
MFG 360
March 26, 2021

Calculating the Cost of 3D-Printed Parts

Explore the variables involved in calculating the cost of 3D-printed parts.
By Protolabs
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Complex, 8mm object produced by xolography
Eye on Innovation
January 13, 2021

New Process and Material Advance Additive Manufacturing Capabilities

A speedier method for one of the fastest 3D printing processes and new light-sensing, color changing material top this month’s search for innovation.
By Nicole Hopper
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Clear 3D Printing: Material and Design Considerations
MFG 360
November 11, 2020

How to 3D Print Clear and Translucent Plastic Parts

Explore options available for building and post-processing clear parts for 3D printing.
By Protolabs
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