Produce better parts with these comprehensive guides to the manufacturing technologies we offer at Protolabs Network. Based on our years of experience producing millions of parts, these best practices and tips will steer you through the production process.
Explore the 3D printing technologies engineers use to manufacture prototypes and end-use parts.
Read our 3D printing guide
Learn the basics of milling, turning and using multi-axis CNC machines to create accurate custom parts.
Read our CNC machining guide
Master the injection molding process for manufacturing at scale, from tooling and mold design to production runs.
Read our injection molding guide
Find out about manufacturing custom parts using high-precision bending and laser cutting.
Read our sheet metal guide
Compare the technologies behind functional metal parts that can be 3D printed on demand.
Read our metal 3D printing guide
Choose plastics with the right properties for injection molding, 3D printing or CNC machining.
Read our plastics guide
We compare critically two industrial 3D printing materials used for low-run injection mold manufacturing.
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What are grips, jigs and fixtures and can you 3D print them? Learn the basics of grips, jigs and fixtures and how 3D printing these tools helps reduce manufacturing costs while ramping up the speed.
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Learn how to avoid low quality 3D prints or unnecessarily large files by exporting your STL file in the correct resolution.
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Is 3D printing or CNC machining better for your custom part applications? Learn the practical differences between CNC machining and 3D printing and how to select the right technology for manufacturing prototypes, end-use parts and everything in between.
Read article
A comprehensive guide for metal 3D printing covering the printing process, design specifications, material options and technology limitations.
Read article
Is 3D printing the most cost-effective option and how can you keep your costs down? Explore all the factors that determine the price of 3D printing, including how to reduce the cost of printing your custom parts.
Read article
Learn about the processes used to manufacture medical devices and which applications they're relevant to, as well as best practices to follow when designing medical devices.
Read article
In this complete guide to designing for CNC machining, we've compiled basic & advanced design practices and tips to help you achieve the best results for your custom parts.
Read article
How do you optimize part design for injection molding? This complete guide to designing for injection molding provides basic and advanced design tips, including guidelines for creating snap-fits, living hinges and undercuts, and accounting for optimial surface finishes.
Read article
This article discusses how 3D printing is being used to produce high detail, custom jewelry through investment casting and direct metal printing.
Read article
What are the different types of threads for manufacturing? In this article, learn how to correctly design threads to reduce lead times and cost for your next CNC machining production run.
Read article
What are the different types of heat treatment and how do they affect CNC-machined parts? This article explores how heat treatments can be applied to many metal alloys to drastically improve key physical properties like hardness, strength and machinability.
Read article
We compare critically two industrial 3D printing materials used for low-run injection mold manufacturing.
Read article
What are grips, jigs and fixtures and can you 3D print them? Learn the basics of grips, jigs and fixtures and how 3D printing these tools helps reduce manufacturing costs while ramping up the speed.
Read article
Learn how to avoid low quality 3D prints or unnecessarily large files by exporting your STL file in the correct resolution.
Read article
Is 3D printing or CNC machining better for your custom part applications? Learn the practical differences between CNC machining and 3D printing and how to select the right technology for manufacturing prototypes, end-use parts and everything in between.
Read article
A comprehensive guide for metal 3D printing covering the printing process, design specifications, material options and technology limitations.
Read article
Is 3D printing the most cost-effective option and how can you keep your costs down? Explore all the factors that determine the price of 3D printing, including how to reduce the cost of printing your custom parts.
Read article
Learn about the processes used to manufacture medical devices and which applications they're relevant to, as well as best practices to follow when designing medical devices.
Read article
In this complete guide to designing for CNC machining, we've compiled basic & advanced design practices and tips to help you achieve the best results for your custom parts.
Read article
How do you optimize part design for injection molding? This complete guide to designing for injection molding provides basic and advanced design tips, including guidelines for creating snap-fits, living hinges and undercuts, and accounting for optimial surface finishes.
Read article
This article discusses how 3D printing is being used to produce high detail, custom jewelry through investment casting and direct metal printing.
Read article
What are the different types of threads for manufacturing? In this article, learn how to correctly design threads to reduce lead times and cost for your next CNC machining production run.
Read article
What are the different types of heat treatment and how do they affect CNC-machined parts? This article explores how heat treatments can be applied to many metal alloys to drastically improve key physical properties like hardness, strength and machinability.
Read articlePut your parts into production today
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