Lead Times
Protolabs offers standard lead times for specific services. View lead times associated with each service line to help plan your project timeline
Injection Molding
| Offerings | Description | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Parts | ||
| Small Parts | Less than 3 in. x 2.5 in. (76.2mm x 63.5mm) | 7 days (expedites in 1 day) |
| Standard Parts | 5 in. x 5 in. – 14 in. x 12 in. (127mm x 127mm –355.6mm x 304.8mm) | 15 days (expedites in 3 days) |
| Mega Mold | Up to 18.9 in. x 29.6 in. x 8 in. (480.06mm x 751.84mm x 203.2mm) | 20 days (can be less with expedites) |
| Secondary Options | ||
| Pad Printing | Pad printing transfers a two-dimensional image onto a three-dimensional object. We will print designed images such as company logos on molded parts at Protolabs. | + 5 days (repeat order)+ 10 days (first order) |
| Assembly | Basic assembly at Protolabs includes fastening parts together that have been manufactured by Protolabs and/or applying labels to individually bagged parts. | + 6 days |
| Laser Engraving | Laser engraving is applied to parts only. Laser engraving includes information such as logos or part numbers. Laser engraving ensures crisp, consistent information on each part or serialization. | + 5 days for parts |
| Mold Texturing | Mold texturing involves applying industry standard textures to a mold. This includes texturing and/or engraving graphics or text into the mold cavity. | +9 days for molds |
| Threaded Inserts | Threaded inserts are possible through secondary heat staking and ultrasonic welding processes. Heat staking is the process of heating threaded inserts and press-fitting those inserts into molded part geometries. Ultrasonic welding uses high frequency acoustic vibrations to press-fit inserts into molded part geometries. | + 5 days (repeat order)+ 10 days (first order) |
| Part Cleaning | Washing or deep cleaning of parts by various methods, including ultrasonic cleaning, vapor degreasing, and ISO Class 7 clean room cleaning and packaging. | + 12 days |
| Inspections | ||
| Quality Inspection Report | Verifies Protolabs' manufacturing process controls. Protolabs selects up to four plane-to-plane and outside diameter dimensions based on your CAD model (X, Y, Z) to quoted tolerances. | 0 |
| Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) | Production part approval process (PPAP) is a standardized process, typical within the automotive industry, that documents design quality and reproducibility. We offer many of the industry standard 19 steps—process FMEA, control plan, ISIR, and inspection reports. | + 11 days |
| Digital Inspection Report | Verify numerous dimensional specifications; up to 50 measurements. | + 6 days |
| CTQ Partial FAI (First Article Inspection) | Includes a 3-part dimensional first article inspection of critical features (Customer selects up to 5 features) | 0 |
| CTQ DIR with Capability Study | Includes a 30-part dimensional capability study of critical features (Customer selects up to 5 features) | 0 |
CNC Machining
| Standard Lead Time | 3 days |
| Expedites | same-day, 1 day, 2 days (as available) |
| Economy Options | 7 days, 12 days, 18 days (as available) |
| Lead Time Additions (business days) | |
| Anodizing | 5 days |
| Chromate | 5 days |
| Dimensional Inspection report | 3-7 days (manual quote needed) |
| NH Standard: parts within MN factory envelope. 10 in. x 7 in. x 3.75 in. (254mm x 177.8mm x 95.25mm) for soft metals/plastics, 10 in. x 7 in. x 1.75 in. (254mm x 177.8mm x 44.45mm) for hard metals | 4 days + additions below |
| Lead Time Additions (in business days—each is added to lead time separately) | |
| Black/clear anodizing | 0 days |
| Clear/yellow chromate | 0 days |
| Passivation | 0 days |
| Color or type III anodizing | 2 days |
| Hardware install | 2 days |
| FAI | 2 days |
| Zinc plating | 2 days |
| Laser engraving | 3 days |
| Powder coating | 5 days |
| Black oxide | 5 days |
| Masking requirements | varies depending on quantity, complexity, etc. |
| Tin plating | needs vendor quote |
| Heat treating | needs vendor quote |
| Wet paint | needs vendor quote |
| NH High Requirements | 7 days |
| Lead Time Additions (same as above) | same as above |
| Manufactured Globally | |
| Expedited | 11 days |
| Standard | 14 days |
| Economy | 23 days |
| Manufactured in the USA | |
| Rapid | 5 days |
| Expedited | 9 days |
| Standard | 13 days |
3D Printing
| Titanium NR | 10 days |
| Titanium HR | 5 days |
| SS 316 NR | 10 days |
| SS 316 HR | 5 days |
| SS 17-4PH NR | 10 days |
| SS 17-4PH HR | 5 days |
| Aluminum NR | 10 days |
| Aluminum HR | 5 days |
| Cobalt Chrome NR | 10 days |
| Cobalt Chrome HR | 5 days |
| Inconel NR | 10 days |
| Inconel HR | 5 days |
| PA12 Black | 3 days |
| PA12 Natural | 3 days |
| PA12 40% GF Black | 3 days |
| PA12 40% GF Natural | 3 days |
| PA12 40% GF (PA614-GS) | 3 days |
| PA12 25% Mineral-filled (PA620-MF) | 3 days |
| PA12 White (PA650) | 3 days |
| PA11 Black (PA850) | 3 days |
| Polypropylene Natural | 5 days |
| TPU 70-A White | 5 days |
| TPU 70-A Black | 5 days |
| PC-Like Advanced High Temp Translucent Amber NR (Accura 5530) | 3 days |
| PC-Like Advanced High Temp Translucent Amber HR (Accura 5530) | 3 days |
| ABS-Like Black NR (Accura 7820) | 3 days |
| ABS-Like Black HR (Accura 7820) | 3 days |
| PP-Like Translucent White NR (Somos 9120) | 3 days |
| PP-Like Translucent White HR (Somos 9120) | 3 days |
| ABS-Like Translucent Clear NR (WaterShed XC 11122) | 3 days |
| ABS-Like Translucent Clear HR (WaterShed XC 11122) | 3 days |
| PC-Like Translucent Clear NR (Accura 60) | 3 days |
| PC-Like Translucent Clear HR (Accura 60) | 3 days |
| ABS-Like Gray NR (Accura Xtreme Gray) | 3 days |
| ABS-Like Gray HR (Accura Xtreme Gray) | 3 days |
| ABS-Like White NR (Accura Xtreme White 200) | 3 days |
| ABS-Like White HR (Accura Xtreme White 200) | 3 days |
| MicroFine Green | 3 days |
| MicroFine Gray | 3 days |
| Metal Plated Ceramic-Like NR (PerForm) | 6 days |
| Metal Plated Ceramic-Like HR (PerForm) | 6 days |
| True Silicone White | 9 days |
| Digital Clear | 3 days |
| Digital White | 3 days |
| Digital Black | 3 days |
| Digital Overmold | 3 days |
| PP-Like Black Flexible Polyurethane (FPU 50) | 3 days |
| ABS-Like Black Rigid Polyurethane (RPU 70) | 3 days |
| Flame Retardant Black (EPX 86FR) | 3 days |
| Vapor Smoothing | +1 day for eligible materials |
| Thermal Cure for SLA (Accura 5530 and PerForm) | +1 day for eligible materials |
Sheet Metal Fabrication
| Description | Express | Select |
|---|---|---|
| Base Lead Time (Includes laser cutting, deburring, and forming) | 3 days | 5 days |
| Secondary Operations | Added Days to "Base" | |
| Hardware Insertion | 0 days | 1 day |
| Punch (formed features) | 0 days | 1 day |
| Machining | 0 days | 1 day |
| Assembly* | 0 days | 1-3 days |
| Finishing Operations | ||
| Powder Coat | 2 days | 2 days |
| Plating/Coating** | 2 days | 2 days |
| Masking*** | 1-2 days | 1-2 days |
| Silkscreen | 1 day | 1 day |
| Part Marking | 1 day | 1 day |
| Inspection Documentation | ||
| Dimensional Inspection (DIR) | 1 day | 1 day |
| First Article Inspection (FAI) | 2 days | 2 days |
| Other | ||
| Material thicknesses >0.125 in. (3.175mm) | n/a | 1 day |
Have more questions? Contact us at: [email protected]
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