The Upload

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

Latest Posts

Injection Molding: Aluminum vs. Steel Tooling
Tech Tips
December 12, 2025

Aluminum vs. Steel Tooling

Compare these two ways to make injection-molded parts
By Protolabs
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Aluminum Bead Blasted
Materials
November 19, 2025

Materials for Heat Sinks

Learn how heat sinks work for thermal management, and how to choose between aluminum, copper, graphite, and composites. Includes manufacturing tips and design guidance.
By Protolabs
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Materials
Materials
October 29, 2025

What Is Ductility? Material Selection for Engineers

Ductility is the ability for a material to deform without breaking. Learn why it matters in manufacturing, how it's tested, and where it's applied.
By Protolabs
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Standardised Anodization Overview
post-processing
October 10, 2025

Anodizing vs. Powder Coating

Compare anodizing vs. powder coating. Learn how each process works, performance differences, material compatibility, and which finish suits your application best.
By Protolabs
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Anodized parts
Secondary Operations
September 18, 2025

Benefits of Aluminum Anodizing for Metal Parts

Discover how anodizing enhances aluminum parts, offering durability, corrosion resistance, and vibrant finishes.
By Protolabs
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UV printing for IM parts
Injection Molding
September 10, 2025

Pad Printing vs. UV Printing: Comparing Post-Processing Options for Molded Parts

Compare the advantages and applications for pad printing and UV printing on your injection-molded parts
By Protolabs
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Variety of CNC Coating Options
finishing options
August 20, 2025

Finishes and Coatings for Aerospace Components

Explore the variety of options available to improve performance of aerospace components
By Protolabs
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domestic manufacturing
Manufacturing Methods
August 15, 2025

Domestic Manufacturing

The world of manufacturing is evolving rapidly, and at the core of this transformation is a notable utilization and strengthening of domestic supply chains.
By Protolabs
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Certification with Protolabs
Certification
July 29, 2025

RoHS Certification at Protolabs

Addressing stringent environmental rules in your products
By Protolabs
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Robotic arm block prep machine
MFG 360
July 7, 2025

How a Digital Approach to CNC Machining Enables Speed

Speed to market is key in product design. Here we break down how digital manufacturing achieves this with tips on sourcing the right digital supplier.
By Protolabs
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 Solar Racing Car
digital innovation
June 24, 2025

Racing the Sun: Engineering the World’s Most Successful Solar Racing Team

Brunel Solar Team, the world’s most decorated solar racing team, engineers a winning formula as they prepare for the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.
By Alex Edwards
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Flame-Retardant Thermoplastics and UL Classifications
Materials
June 12, 2025

UL 94 Classification and Flame-Retardant Materials

An overview of materials with flame-retardant characteristics and the UL 94 classification.
By Protolabs
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