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Protolabs specializes in custom prototypes and low-volume production parts. The company is building a new USD $13 million 5,000-square-meter production facility in Putzbrunn, Germany to grow 3D printing capabilities by 50% and allow customers greater access to the firm’s automated manufacturing processes and quality systems.
Protolabs’ Fineline Additive Manufacturing, Firstcut CNC Machining and Protomold Injection Molding services use proprietary computing technology and automated systems to produce quality parts in a range of metal, plastic and liquid silicone rubber materials within days for orthopedic and other industries. The new location will support users across its entire customer base.
The initial shell of the facility is scheduled for completion by December 2020 and the fit-out and machinery due to be installed in several stages beginning May 2021.
Up to 25 further machines and equipment will be added to existing technology, and a CNC machining center with a 5-axis milling machine will be installed to support the finishing of 3D-printed parts for high-end applications. Automated finishing systems will also be part of the expansion, along with additional 3D printing technologies in the future.
“We are the world’s fastest digital manufacturer, but a major goal for us is to produce 3D-printed parts even faster. When a finished design enters our online ordering platform it goes through a short feasibility check by our expert design team and then on to be printed. The new facility will give us the capacity to speed this process up even more to real time,” said Bjoern Klaas, Vice President and Managing Director of Protolabs Europe.
With optimized work processes and additional employees, the new location will support activity in the U.K., especially Protolabs’ ability to produce certified medical devices under ISO 13485.
