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Low-Volume, High-Mix Manufacturing
Produce multiple designs in low volumes for speed and agility during iterative development and market launches
Certification & Compliance
ISO 9001:2015 | ISO 13485:2016 | AS9100D | ITAR
Flexible Production for a Fast-Moving Market
Need to manufacture a variety of parts on a tight timeline? Low-volume, high-mix production helps you keep pace with shifting demand, product changes, and complex projects. At Protolabs, you can scale quickly without committing to full-scale runs or managing multiple suppliers.
Our hybrid model combines our automated digital factories with a global network of vetted partners to simplify even the most complex part mix.
- Launch faster with short lead times and flexible order sizes
- Handle product changes and shifting demand with ease
- Consolidate complex part orders in one streamlined build
What Is Low-Volume, High-Mix Manufacturing?
Low-volume, high-mix manufacturing is a production strategy focused on making many different types of parts in small quantities. It’s common in industries where demand is unpredictable, product designs change often, customization is required, or there’s a need to replace a wide range of specialized components, like in automation systems or industrial machinery.
This approach gives you the flexibility to build production-grade parts without overcommitting to high volumes. It works well for when you are ramping up from prototyping or choosing a leaner, more adaptable way to produce multiple SKUs.
Moving From Prototyping to Low-Volume, High-Mix Production
When you need to move from prototyping to end-use parts in small quantities across a wide mix of geometries, Protolabs makes it easy to scale.
We combine fast digital quoting and design feedback with hundreds of material options and advanced manufacturing processes, like 3D Printing for functional testing and CNC machining for high-quality, customer-ready parts. Our automated manufacturing processes and global network of 200+ suppliers ensures you get the capacity and flexibility to build what you need, when you need it.
Manufacturing Processes for Low-Volume, High-Mix Production
Injection Molding
Ideal when you need consistent, high-quality plastic parts in small batches. Rapid tooling keeps costs down, even when you're producing several part variations and configurations.
- Fast tooling for short-run plastic parts
- 100+ plastic, elastomeric, and silicone rubber materials
- Automated CMM for fast, in-house quality documentation
CNC Machining
Delivers precise results with excellent material flexibility, which is perfect for low-volume production with tight tolerances. It’s especially useful for parts made from metals or engineering-grade plastics.
- Highly flexible for low-volume precision runs
- Machined parts in as fast as 1 day with optional plating and anodizing in as fast as 4 days
- Tolerances down to ±0.001 in. (0.020mm) through our digital network
3D Printing
Offers the most flexibility, letting you produce complex geometries and make design tweaks quickly. It’s great for low-volume batches, when you need speed and customization.
- Agility for complex geometries and custom parts
- Additive technologies include metal 3D printing, SLA, SLS, FDM, and more
- 30 plastic and metal materials in a range of finishes
Sheet Metal Fabrication
A reliable choice for sturdy, functional parts like brackets or panels. It’s well suited for low-volume, high-mix production thanks to its quick setup and versatile material options.
- Durable parts for structural or mechanical use cases
- Six sheet metal materials including aluminum, stainless steel, steel, brass, and copper
- Finishing options from welding and hardware insertion to powder coating and silk screening
Materials for Low-Volume, High-Mix Production
| We offer a wide range of materials that are excellent for low-volume, high-mix manufacturing because they’re easy to work with, available in small batch quantities, and cover a broad range of mechanical and cosmetic requirements. |
Metal
Metals like aluminum and stainless steel provide durability and precision. They’re well suited for short runs of high-performance parts across industries.
Rubber-like
Flexible materials like TPU and silicone support designs that need elasticity, sealing, or cushioning in small batches.
Plastics
Common thermoplastics like ABS and polycarbonate offer a great mThey are perfect for prototyping and scaling, and work well across all our production services.ix of strength and flexibility.
Specialty
From composite blends to custom resins, we support harder-to-find materials through our digital network.
Quality Assurance Across Every Run
Whether you’re ordering five parts or fifty thousand, quality is built into every step. Our industry-standard procedures and certifications ensure traceability, speed, regulatory compliance and confidence in every order.
| CMM inspection report | First Article Inspection (FAI) |
| Dimensional Inspection Report (DIR) | PPAP |
| Material Certificates + Certificate of Analysis | Conflict Minerals Reporting |
| REACH + RoHS Certificates | Prop65 |
| Industry Certifications: ISO 9001 and AS 9100 | Certificate of Conformance (CoC) |
| Industry Certifications (Protolabs Network): ISO 13485, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ISO TS16949 | |
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Benefits of Low-Volume, High-Mix Manufacturing With Protolabs
| Protolabs makes low-volume, high-mix production simple by combining digital automation, flexible manufacturing capabilities, and an extensive global partner network. |
End-to-End Simplicity
Manage complex part mixes through one flexible platform.
- Consolidate vendors from prototyping to end-of-life
- Supports complex assemblies and SKUs
- No minimum order quantities or supplier overhead
Built-In Agility
Respond fast to design updates and changing demand.
- Make quick-turn revisions and configuration changes
- Scale from prototype to production on your terms
- Reduce risk with low tooling and inventory costs
Quality You Can Count On
Get consistent results no matter the mix or volume.
- Automated factories plus 250+ vetted global partners
- ISO 9001, ISO 13485, and AS9100-certified quality
- Traceable workflows and thorough documentation
Applications of Low-Volume, High-Mix Manufacturing
| Low-volume, high-mix manufacturing is a good fit for industries that need to quickly produce a wide range of custom parts in small batches. Here’s how it works across a few key sectors |
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MedicalUsed for making small batches of parts that need to meet strict quality standards. Also works well for early product runs and quick changes. |
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AerospaceUseful for producing lightweight parts in small batches for testing, certifications, and repairs. |
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AutomotiveGreat for custom or low-run parts like interior features, service parts, or test components. Saves time and tooling costs when making updates or new models. |
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RoboticsSpeeds up how quickly custom parts or assemblies can be made and tested, which is important when projects change or need unique setups. |
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Consumer ElectronicsMakes it easier to offer many product versions (like colors or features) without overstocking. Helps get new models to market faster. |
