Protolabs Expands CNC Machining Offer Through Its Global Digital Manufacturing Partner Network

Rhea-AI Summary

Protolabs has expanded its global CNC machining capabilities to enhance services for product developers and buyers. Customers can now leverage advanced machining options designed to reduce part costs, improve tolerances, and accommodate larger, complex designs through its partnership with Hubs. Key features include volume pricing, tighter tolerances (±0.0008 in.), and various finishing options like plating and anodizing. Parts ranging from 0.02 in. to 40 in. are supported. This development positions Protolabs as a comprehensive provider, offering quick, precise, and tailored solutions for all machining needs.

Positive

• Expansion of CNC machining capabilities enhances customer options.
• Volume pricing reduces costs for large quantity orders.
• Achievable tolerances tightened to ±0.0008 in. (0.020mm).
• Diverse finishing options include plating and anodizing.
• Support for parts sizes from 0.02 in. to 40 in. boosts versatility.

Negative

• None.

Volume Pricing, Precision Tolerances, Enhanced Finishes, and Other Machining Capabilities Now Available for Product Developers and Production Buyers

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Digital manufacturing leader Protolabs (NYSE: PRLB) announced today an expansion of the production capabilities that customers can access within its global CNC machining service. Through Protolabs’ manufacturing partner network at Hubs, product developers and buyers from around the world can leverage advanced machining capabilities designed to lower part costs, improve tolerances, broaden finishing options, and make possible larger and more complex part designs. These expanded capabilities complement the quick-turn CNC machining services already available from Protolabs.

“Constant innovation is at the forefront of everything we do,” said Rob Bodor, President and CEO at Protolabs. “Customers not only have access to the fastest machining service in the marketplace; with this launch, they now have the most comprehensive.”

Users can upload a 3D CAD model for machining on protolabs.com to access the expanded options inside Protolabs’ online quoting platform, which are then fulfilled by Protolabs’ digital factories or one of its digitally enabled manufacturing partners. All of the advanced machining capabilities are now live and available to customers.

With volume pricing options, customers will be able to lower their overall piece-part price as quantity increases—up to thousands of machined parts. Tighter tolerances down to ±0.0008 in. (0.020mm) are now achievable as are complete parts with all features milled, holes tapped, and post-process finishing applied. Regarding finishing options, plating (black oxide, nickel), anodizing (Type II, Type III), and chromate coating in larger quantities are available. And parts as large as 40 in. (1,000mm) to as small as 0.02 in. (0.5mm) are supported.

“This is a step change in what we can offer customers at Protolabs,” said Greg Thompson, the company’s global product director of machining. “As we’ve grown into a more robust prototyping-to-production provider, customers who need parts quickly, with precision, and tailored to their specific design requirements now have a single supplier to accomplish that. It’s a true one-stop-shop for machining.”

About Us

Protolabs is the fastest and most comprehensive digital manufacturing service in the world. Our digital factories produce low-volume parts in days while our digital network of manufacturing partners powered by Hubs unlocks advanced capabilities and volume pricing at higher quantities. The result? One manufacturing source—from prototyping to production—for product developers, engineers, and supply chain teams across the globe. See what's next at protolabs.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005185/en/

Media Contact

Protolabs

Brent Renneke, 763-479-7704

PR & Media Strategist

brent.renneke@protolabs.com

Investor Relations Contact

Protolabs

Ryan Johnsrud, 612-225-4873

Manager, Investor Relations and FP&A

ryan.johnsrud@protolabs.com

Source: Protolabs

FAQ

What new capabilities did Protolabs announce for PRLB?

Protolabs announced expanded CNC machining capabilities, providing advanced options for product developers and buyers.

How does Protolabs' new pricing model work for CNC machining?

Protolabs introduced volume pricing, allowing customers to lower per-part costs as order quantities increase.

What are the new tolerances available for machining at Protolabs?

Tolerances have been tightened to ±0.0008 in. (0.020mm) with the new capabilities.

What finishing options are now available through Protolabs?

Protolabs offers various finishing options, including plating and anodizing for larger quantities.

What is the size range of parts that Protolabs can now support?

Protolabs can now support parts ranging from 0.02 in. to 40 in. in size.