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The Digital Thread

Your blog feed for manufacturing resources, in-depth features, and industry news.

Past 'Design' posts

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scientific moulding
Tech Tips
23/05/2024

How to Design a Part to Ensure a High-Quality Product

Every product designer and engineer dreams of creating parts that are free from defects first time round. In this blog, you'll learn how. Find out more
By Protolabs
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Quality Inspection
Tech Tips
16/05/2024

How to Manufacture Parts with Manufacturing Variations

As with any industry, no matter how meticulous a processes is, it can still be subject to variations, and manufacturing is no different. Learn more.
By Protolabs
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design engineer at a computer
Tech Tips
25/04/2024

The Foundations of Human-Centric Design in Manufacturing

If we want our product to be useful, fit for purpose, and marketable, we need to consider many factors, starting with its design. Whether you've identified a product need or a market gap, you'll want to ensure your end product is appropriate.
By Protolabs
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different colour jigs for manufacturing equipment
Tech Tips
28/03/2024

The Difference Between Jigs and Fixtures

Understand the differences between two terms often confused with one another—jigs and fixtures.
By Tony Holtz
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3D brain with purple background for Artificial Intelligence

ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and the Future of Design using AI and 3D Printing

Will your next designer be a computer? Explore how AI is making inroads in CAD modeling.
By Eric Utley
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Design process
Industry Spotlight
13/11/2023

How can design firms get the best from their manufacturing partnership?

As a design firm how do you choose a manufacturing partner? And how do you ensure you get the most out of that relationship? This blog post explores the answer.
By Protolabs
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CAD design
Industry Spotlight
13/11/2023

How to choose the right design firm for your needs

You need someone to help you get that part designed in CAD, prototyped, tested and out to market; where do you start? This blog looks at the answer to this.
By Protolabs
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Protolabs Blog
Tech Tips
22/05/2023

An Introduction to Design for Manufacture for Additive Manufacturing

We’re going to be posting a mix of our industry insights, technical tips and manufacturing advice every week – so make sure you keep an eye out for our updates.
By Protolabs
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satellite being developed by engineers
Industry Trends
16/01/2023

Manufacturing’s role in the new space race

With analysts predicting a market value of $1 trillion by 2040, the space industry is thriving. But what are the key trends that need to be on your radar?
By Protolabs
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Man writing on clear surface

Accelerating Hardware Prototyping for Startups and Small Companies

Doing the right things in the prototyping phase is a bit more complex than it looks at first glance. Hardware requires special rules to get the results you need.
By Protolabs
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Consultative Design Analysis
MFG 360
05/07/2022

Consultative Design Analysis Prepares Parts for Production

Our new consultative design service addresses design feedback and gets your parts ready for manufacturability within our automated system.
By Nicole Hopper
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Thin walls in protolabs ecom platform
Tech Tips
02/11/2020

How to: A Deep Dive into Design Analysis

In this, our second post in the series, we take a closer look at what is arguably the most important benefit of the platform, sandwiched between your request for analysis and actual placement of your order. It’s our automated, interactive design analysis. And with the relaunch of our new platform, you’ll see that we’ve given it a modern interface along with some new features you’ll find valuable.
By Matthew Hatch
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