Talk with Our Team
Hello! We just need a few bits of information then a manufacturing expert will reach out to you directly to see we how can partner on a future production project.
Thank you! We've received your request and a member of our team will reach out shortly.
Airbus & Protolabs: Speed and Precision in Robotics
Reducing design iterations, accelerating time to market, and creating efficiencies for optimal aircraft performance
Certifications ISO 9001:2015 | AS9100D | ITAR
We are the fastest and most comprehensive digital manufacturer in the industry with more than 25 years of experience developing products for innovative aerospace companies around the world.
700 Million
Parts Manufactured
100%
of Fortune 500
Aerospace Companies Served
How Airbus Partners with Protolabs
Rapid Prototyping
Take advantage of design for manufacturability (DFM) feedback in our instant quotes to make adjustments to part design before any manufacturing begins, then navigate quickly through early- and late-stage prototyping with ease.
End-to-end Product Development
Move quickly through iterative development with our rapid prototyping and low-volume production services. When ready, work with our team of applications engineers to meet all of your production needs for end-use aerospace applications.
Durable Jigs, Fixtures, and More
Get durable, production-grade jigs and fixtures, hardware, and other components within days so development and workflow remain forward moving.
Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO)
Order custom production parts on demand for MRO applications to keep robotics equipment running without delay.
Quality Certifications and Traceability
Take advantage of our AS9100- and ISO9001-certified machining and 3D printing processes for high-requirement parts. Aluminum traceability is also available on projects that qualify.
Aerospace Materials
Choose from high-temperature plastics, medical-grade silicone rubber, and 3D-printed micro-resolution and microfluidic parts, among hundreds of other plastic, metal, and elastomeric materials.
Protolabs' Comprehensive Solution for Airbus Electrical Aviation
Airbus recently turned to our comprehensive digital manufacturing solution for the many components that make up its high-performance batteries powering drones and other aircrafts.
In the early prototyping stage, Airbus engineers required speed, utilizing our automated DFM platform and quick-turn machining to deliver parts in just 24 hours. Further down the development timeline, Airbus was able to work with Protolabs' network of highly vetted manufacturing partners to deliver parts with ultra-tight tolerances. The Airbus-Protolabs partnership then continued as the battery engineering team accessed our digital network once again for crucial cost savings on high volumes of prototype parts.
Myriad needs, all covered by one manufacturer in record time.
We don't have to spend time sourcing parts from different manufacturers, and we can get different services like CNC machining, 3D printing, and injection molding from one place. We won time. We saved time on prototyping so we could move forward faster.
![]()
A Complete Solution for Diverse Aerospace Teams
Engineers
- Accelerate iteration: Quotes in hours, parts in days, plus design support
- Improve designs: Automated and engineer-reviewed DFM feedback enhances manufacturability
- Get parts from a certified facility: AS9100 and ITAR certification to meet the strict demands of aerospace manufacturing
- Experience the freedom of material choice: Huge variety of stocked material for CNC-machined and 3D-printed parts
Sub-Contract Managers
- Shrink lead times and source domestically: ITAR-compliant parts in days, not weeks, with full U.S.-based manufacturing
- Get trustworthy documentation: FAI, COC, material traceability, and other reports aligned with defense flow down clauses
- Ensure certification: AS9100 and ITAR-registered built to support high-consequence programs from prototyping through low-rate initial production (LRIP)
- Make procurement efficient: Digital quotes, transparent pricing, and predictable turnaround with minimal back-and-forth
Senior Buyers
- Value driven partnership: Protolabs account management team navigates Protolabs' factories and digital network for the optimal, cost-effective manufacturing solution
- Unmatched reliability: Tech-enabled automation delivers parts to spec, on time, even if you need your parts in as little as one day
- End-to-end quality: DFM analysis, documented work standards and procedures, and an array of inspection documentation
- Success-driven teamwork: Complete program management, from assisting with CAD uploading to navigating orders with complex bill of materials (BoM)
Airbus Support Team
We have a team of manufacturing experts working behind the scenes to fulfill your order—we manage the entire process and keep you updated along the way.
Cameron Ricecameron.rice@protolabs.com |
|
Manufacturing Services for Aerospace Parts
CNC Machining
Leverage the same speed, precision, and reliability in machining that you’re accustomed to at Protolabs but unlock advanced machining capabilities like tighter tolerances and volume pricing through our manufacturing network.
- Machined parts in as fast as 1 day with optional plating and anodizing in as fast as 4 days
- Cost-efficient machined parts at higher volumes
- Tolerances down to ±0.001 in. (0.020mm) through our digital network
3D Printing
Want quality parts and additive expertise at a single 3D printing source? Choose from seven different additive manufacturing technologies for cost-effective prototyping and highly precise, repeatable production parts.
- Additive technologies include metal 3D printing, SLA, SLS, FDM, and more
- 30 plastic and metal materials in a range of finishes
- 25 years of additive manufacturing expertise
Sheet Metal Fabrication
From easy quoting to quick-turn production and finishing options, get up to 500 quality sheet metal parts in your hands in days from a single supplier.
- Instant quotes with interactive manufacturability feedback
- 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
Injection Molding
Get affordable, high-quality molded parts and bridge tooling within days. With our free moldability consultation, the design and molding process is rapidly accelerated to save you time and money.
- Low-volume molding up to 100,000+ parts with volume pricing available—no MOQ required
- 100+ plastic, elastomeric, and silicone rubber materials
- Automated CMM for fast, in-house quality documentation
Quality Measures for Aerospace Components
Our industry-standard procedures and certifications guarantee quality and regulatory compliance.
| 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 |
 |
 |
 |
Resources for Aerospace Manufacturing
