A Framework for the Future: Digital Factories x Manufacturing Network

Speed and quality meet advanced capabilities and volume pricing—all with one reliable manufacturing resource


Why Digital Manufacturing?

Bring ideas to market with 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 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.


What is Digital Manufacturing?


End-to-end manufacturing from quoting to production to shipping, inclusive of our in-house digital factories and our digital network of manufacturing partners


Digital Factories

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Our in-house digital manufacturing factories in the U.S. and Europe

  • Rapid prototyping to low-volume production
  • Automated, interactive design analysis within quotes
  • Industry-best lead times within
    current envelope
  • Focus on quality control and documentation
  • Expert technical consultation and
    world-class customer support

Protolabs Network

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Our global network of premium manufacturing partners powered by Hubs

  • Rapid prototyping to high-volume production
  • Instant market-based pricing within quotes
  • Tighter tolerances and more complex parts with flexible lead times
  • Volume pricing on production orders
  • Part precision and standardization through highly vetted supply network and quality assurance process
  • Expert technical consultation and world-class customer support
 

Enhanced Manufacturing Capabilities with Our Digital Network

Our digital network of manufacturers unlocks expanded capabilities across services. To move injection molding from low-volume (10,000+ parts) to higher-volume (100,000+ parts) production, try our network. Anodizing and tighter tolerances are available with CNC machining. And both molding and machining have volume pricing options for lower piece-part cost. You can even prototype quick and cost-efficiently with FDM 3D printing. Get more out of manufacturing with our digital network.

Try Protolabs Network

What manufacturing services do

Protolabs’ factories and its network provide?


Factory Molding

Our digital factories produce affordable, high-quality molded parts and bridge tooling within days. And with our free moldability consultation, the design and molding process is rapidly accelerated saving time and money.

  • Low-volume molding up to 100,000+ parts with volume pricing available; no MOQ required
  • Automated CMM for fast, in-house quality documentation
  • Interactive moldability analysis in hours; sample parts in as fast as 1 day
  • Max. part size: 18.9 in. x 29.6 in. x 8 in. (480mm x 751mm x 203mm)
  • 8 surface finish options: A1, B1, C1, F0-F2 (Protolabs-specific), T1-T2 (Protolabs-specific), plus Mold-Tech equivalent finishing options
  • 100+ plastic, elastomeric, and silicone rubber materials
  • Reduce financial risk with aluminum tooling

Network Molding

Our digital network opens up molding capabilities for larger, and more complex parts in higher-volume production quantities.

  • High-volume molding with price breaks available
  • High-requirement projects for larger, deeper, more complex molded parts
  • Quotes for 100,000+ parts
  • All complexities sized up to 79 in. (2m)
  • 12 surface finishes (A1-A3, B1-B3, C1-C3, D1-D3) plus Mold Tech finishes available
  • Custom color-matching possible
  • Aluminum and steel tooling, including Tool Steel P20

Factory Machining

With hundreds of in-house CNC machines, our digital factories have infinite capacity to ensure parts are shipped on-time, every single time.

  • Plastic and metal parts in as fast as 1 day
  • Production components in lower volumes
  • ISO 9001 and AS9100-certified, plus ITAR compliant, CNC machining factories
  • Max. part size (machining): 22 in. x 14 in. x 3.75 in. (559mm x 356mm x 95.3mm) /
    Min. part size: 0.25 in. x 0.25 in
    (6.35mm x 6.35mm)
  • Max. diameter/length (turning): 3.95 in. (100.33mm) x 9 in. (228.6mm) /
    Min. diameter/length: 0.16 in.
    (4.07mm) x 0.05 in. (1.27mm)
  • Tolerances down to ± 0.005 in. (0.13mm)
  • 40+ metals and plastic materials

Network Machining

Our digital network expands our machining capabilities with tighter tolerances, volume pricing, and the ability to handle more complex parts.

  • Instant quotes for up to 1,000 parts
  • Tighter tolerances on complex machined parts
  • Cost-efficient machined parts at higher volume
  • Complete parts with all features milled, holes tapped, and post-process finishing applied
  • Plating (black oxide, nickel), anodizing (Type II, Type III), and chromate coating at scale
  • AS9100-certified machining network
  • Max. part size: 40 in. (1,000mm) / Min. part size: 0.02 in. (0.5mm) / Min. diameter: 0.01 in. (0.3 mm)
  • Tolerances down to ±0.001 in. (0.020mm)
  • 50+ metals and plastic materials
  • 10+ surfaces finishes

Compare our machining services from prototyping to production. 

Factory 3D Printing

We have the largest additive manufacturing operation in the world (U.S. and Germany) for functional prototyping and end-use production of quality 3D-printed parts.

  • Six different 3D printing technologies: DMLS, SLA, SLS, MJF, Carbon, and PolyJet
  • 25 years of additive manufacturing expertise
  • Automated, interactive design analysis and real-time pricing on printed parts
  • Highly precise and repeatable printed parts
  • Max. build size (plastic SLA): 29 in. x 25 in. x 21 in. (736mm x 635mm x 533mm)
  • Max. build size (metal DMLS): 31.5 in. x 15.7 in. x 19.7 in. (400mm x 800mm x 500mm)
  • Dimensional accuracy (plastic SLA): X/Y dimension of ±0.002 in. (0.05mm), Z dimension tolerances of ±0.005 in. plus 0.1% of nominal length for X/Y/Z dimensions
  • Dimensional accuracy (metal DMLS): +0.003 in. (0.076mm) plus 0.1% of nominal length
  • AS9100-certified for DMLS, SLS, and MJF
  • 30 plastic and metal materials (ABS-like, PC-like, nylon, stainless steel, aluminum)

Network 3D Printing

We build cost-efficient 3D-printed prototypes and end-use parts built with fused deposition modeling (FDM). Customer can choose from a wide material and color selection for repeatable and precise parts within days.

  • Desktop and industrial FDM 3D printing
  • Network of highly experienced 3D printing shops
  • Competitive pricing for quick-turn printed parts
  • Max. build size (desktop FDM): 19.68 in. x 19.68 in. x 19.68 in. (500mm x 500mm x 500mm)
  • Dimensional accuracy (desktop FDM): ±0.5% with a lower limit on 0.0196 in. (±0.5mm)
  • Access to ISO 13485 suppliers
  • 15+ plastic materials (PLA, PC, nylon, Ultem) in a range of color options for FDM
  • Instant quotes for parts in as fast as 1 business day

Factory Sheet Metal Fabrication

We have infinite capacity and an easy-to-use online quoting system ensuring on-time shipment every time—whether you need a single part or 500 parts.

  • Fast and simple interactive quotes within hours
  • More than 200 machines all under one roof for reliable part delivery within 5 days
  • Team of knowledgeable engineers to optimize sheet metal part designs
  • Laser cutting, punch, and press brake with sheet thickness of 0.024 in. (0.609mm) to 0.250 in. (6.35mm)
  • Max. part size: 39 in. x 47 in. (990.6mm x 1,193.8mm) on flat parts; Min. part size: 0.500 in. x 0.500 in. (12.7mm x 12.7mm) on formed parts
  • Six sheet metal materials including aluminum, stainless steel, steel, brass, and copper
  • Finishing options from welding and hardware insertion to powder coating, silk screening, and plating/anodizing

Network Sheet Metal Fabrication

Our digital network is ideal for small, production-grade sheet metal parts for concepts, prototypes, pre-production validation, and small run series.

  • Instant sheet metal quotes with design feedback
  • More than 250 suppliers in the digital network for
    high-quality sheet metal parts in 5-23 days
  • Dedicated team of to ensure consistency and quality of sheet metal parts
  • Laser cutting and bending with sheet thicknesses of 0.039 in. (1mm) to 0.236 in.(6mm)
  • Tolerances down to 0.008 in. (0.2mm) for cutting features
  • Variety of materials available, including aluminum, stainless steel, mild steel, and copper
  • Finishing options include brushed, bead blasted, powder coating, and plating/anodizing
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Navigating the Numbers Behind Digital Manufacturing

Follow the digital thread for a look at the data inside a reinvented industry model that pairs our technology-enabled factories with a global network of manufacturers at Hubs.

Download Infographic

How do I order parts through Protolabs Network?

You can unlock Protolabs Network in two quick ways. When you have a quote from Protolabs, look for the network option inside your quote (currently, machining quotes only), which transfers you directly to our network of manufacturing partners at Hubs. You can also just head to hubs.com to quote and order directly through Protolabs Network.