Rapid manufacturing of injection-molded, CNC-machined, additively manufactured and sheet metal parts from prototypes to series production
Proto Labs, Inc. (Protolabs)
Maple Plain (MN) · Plymouth (MN) · Brooklyn Park (MN) · Rosemount (MN) · Nashua (NH) · Cary (NC) · Telford (GB) · GermanyNew on Amplifa
About Protolabs
Protolabs is a digital manufacturing service provider headquartered in Maple Plain, Minnesota (USA), producing custom parts via injection molding (including LSR, overmolding, insert molding), CNC machining (milling and turning), 3D printing (DMLS, SLA, SLS, MJF, PolyJet, FDM, Advanced Photopolymers) and sheet metal fabrication (laser cutting, punching, forming, assemblies). The company serves customers in, among others, the medical technology, aerospace, automotive, robotics, electronics and industrial sectors, from prototype development to end production. Materials include aluminum, steel, stainless steel, titanium, brass, copper, Inconel and a broad range of engineering plastics as well as silicones. In addition to its own manufacturing, Protolabs accesses a network of around 250 manufacturing partners worldwide via the platform acquired in 2021 and renamed Protolabs Network in 2024. Besides its headquarters, the company operates plants in Minnesota, New Hampshire and North Carolina as well as in Telford (England) and Germany. For NASA, the company produced a generatively designed, CNC-machined component within 36 hours.
- Site
- Maple Plain, MN (USA)
- Processes
- Plastic Injection Molding, Liquid Silicone Rubber Molding, Overmolding, Insert Molding, Family and Multi-Cavity Molding, CNC Milling, CNC Turning, Metal 3D Printing (DMLS)
- Materials
- Aluminum 2024, Aluminum 5052, Aluminum 6061, Aluminum 7075, Aluminum Si10Mg, Brass 260, Brass C360, Copper C101
- Certificates
- ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485:2016, AS9100D, ITAR
- Founded
- 1999
- Industries
- Medical technology, Aerospace, Automotive, Robotics, Consumer Electronics, Industrial equipment
- 01
Design and machinability consulting
- 02
Digital quote generation and manufacturing analysis
- 03
Injection molding / CNC machining / 3D printing / sheet metal fabrication
- 04
Surface treatment (anodizing, powder coating, plating, silk screening)
- 05
Quality inspection (CMM)
- 06
Assembly and delivery
Materials and Processes
Aluminum 6061
Versatile aluminum alloy for CNC machining and sheet metal fabrication.
Aluminum 7075
High-strength aluminum alloy for CNC-machined structural and aerospace parts.
Stainless Steel 316L
Corrosion-resistant stainless steel for CNC machining and metal 3D printing.
Titanium Ti6Al4V
Lightweight high-performance material for aerospace and medical technology.
Inconel 718
Nickel alloy for temperature-resistant components produced via DMLS.
PEEK
High-temperature-resistant engineering polymer for CNC machining and injection molding.
Liquid Silicone Rubber
Silicone elastomer in Shore hardnesses 30–80 for injection molding and LSR molded parts.
Polyamide 12
Standard material for SLS and MJF 3D printing of functional components.
Locations
Maple Plain
USHeadquarters
Plymouth
USCNC manufacturing
Brooklyn Park
USManufacturing
Rosemount
USManufacturing
Nashua
USSheet metal fabrication
Cary
US3D printing plant (77,000 sq ft)
Telford
GBManufacturing site
Germany
DEManufacturing site
Components
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic Injection MoldingPlastics | – | – | – | 100,000+ parts (no MOQ) | – |
| Liquid Silicone Rubber MoldingPlastics | – | – | – | – | LSR 30, LSR 40, LSR 50, LSR 60, LSR 70, LSR 80, LSR-OG, LSR-FR, LSR-MG |
| OvermoldingPlastics | – | – | – | – | – |
| Insert MoldingPlastics | – | – | – | – | – |
| Family and Multi-Cavity MoldingPlastics | – | – | – | – | – |
| CNC MillingMachining | ±0.001 in. (0.020 mm) | – | – | – | – |
| CNC TurningMachining | – | – | – | – | – |
| Metal 3D Printing (DMLS)Additive | – | – | – | – | Inconel 718, Titanium Ti6Al4V, Stainless Steel 316L, Stainless Steel 17-4PH, Aluminum Si10Mg, Cobalt-Chrome Co28Cr6Mo |
| Stereolithography (SLA)Additive | – | – | – | – | ABS-like (Black/Clear/White/Gray/MicroFine/Value), PC-like (Clear), PP-like (White) |
| Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)Additive | – | – | – | – | PA 12 (Black), PA 12-GF (40% glass) |
| Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)Additive | – | – | – | – | PA 12 (White), PA 12-MF (25% mineral), PA 12-GF, PA 11 (Black), TPU 70, PP (Natural) |
| PolyJetAdditive | – | – | – | – | Photopoly 30/40/50/60/70/85/95, Photopoly Rigid |
| Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)Additive | – | – | – | – | – |
| Advanced Photopolymers (Hybrid PhotoSynthesis/HPS)Additive | – | – | – | – | Ceramic-filled (BASF 3280), Tough Black (Loctite Henkel 3843), ESD Black, Flame-retardant Black, Medical White |
| Laser Cutting (Sheet Metal)Forming | – | – | – | up to 500 parts | Aluminum 5052, Aluminum 6061, Brass C260, Copper C101, Copper C110, Cold-rolled Steel 1008 CR, Galvanized, Galvannealed, Stainless Steel 304, Stainless Steel 316 |
| Punching (Sheet Metal)Forming | – | – | – | – | – |
| Forming and Bending (Sheet Metal)Forming | – | – | – | – | – |
| Fabricated Assemblies (Sheet Metal)Joining | – | – | – | – | – |
| WeldingJoining | – | – | – | – | – |
| Hardware InsertionAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Powder CoatingSurface | – | – | – | – | – |
| Silk ScreeningSurface | – | – | – | – | – |
| Plating and Anodizing (CNC Finishing)Surface | – | – | – | – | – |
1 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automated CMM | – | – | – | – | – |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality and Certifications
Quality assurance includes automated CMM measurements and quality documentation. Certifications: ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485:2016, AS9100D and ITAR compliance.
| Evidence | Maple Plain | Plymouth | Brooklyn Park | Rosemount | Nashua | Cary | Telford | Germany |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISO 9001:2015 | ||||||||
| ISO 13485:2016 | ||||||||
| AS9100D | ||||||||
| ITAR |
Company History
- 1999
Larry Lukis founds the Protomold Company, Inc. for rapid manufacturing of injection-molded parts.
- 2001
Brad Cleveland becomes CEO and President.
- 2005
First plant opens in Telford, England.
- 2007
Introduction of the Firstcut CNC machining service.
- 2009
Merger under Proto Labs Inc.; location in Japan opens.
- 2012
Initial public offering (IPO).
- 2013
Revenue of USD 150 million reached.
- 2014
Acquisition of FineLine Prototyping; Vicki Holt becomes CEO.
- 2016
New 3D printing plant in Cary, NC (77,000 sq ft); CNC plant in Plymouth, MN.
- 2017
Acquisition of RAPID Manufacturing (Nashua, NH) for USD 120 million; expansion of sheet metal fabrication.
- 2021
Acquisition of 3D Hubs for USD 280 million; Robert Bodor becomes CEO.
- 2024
3D Hubs is renamed Protolabs Network.
- 2025
Suresh Krishna becomes President and CEO; strategic focus on prototyping and end production.