Eureka Knowledge Logo
Home | Content Partner Profile

Content Partner Profile

Protolabs

Halesfield 8
Telford
Shropshire
TF7 4QN
United Kingdom
www.protolabs.co.uk
01952 683 047

customerservice@protolabs.co.uk

Content Partner News

The Route to Success: Critical Factors for Achieving Sustainable Mobility

Published: 04/24

​Sustainable Mobility can be defined in many ways. Is it a concept for transforming how we transport from an ecological standpoint? Is it taking into account the accessibility of travel with a particular focus on more vulnerable people within society? All are correct, and whilst some may debate the definition of the umbrella term, its growing influence is undeniable.

Digital Manufacturing

Understanding Injection Moulding Tolerances

Published: 04/24

While injection moulding is a relatively precise process, there may be very slight variations between your design and your finished part. Tolerance is the range of deviation in specifications that still allows your part to function as needed. This is especially important when your project involves multiple components that need to fit together during assembly. If critical tolerances aren’t met, your parts won’t fit or perform correctly.

Digital Manufacturing

Comparing the Cost between Injection Moulding and 3D Printing

Published: 04/24

Applications for 3D printing are expanding rapidly in response to new materials, technologies and secondary processes announced seemingly daily. We now see additive manufacturing being used for not only prototyping, but also production parts to reduce assemblies and fabricate complex geometries.

Digital Manufacturing

How can design firms get the best from their manufacturing partnership?

Published: 03/24

You’re a design firm. You have engineering expertise. You have the know-how. Now, you need access to the technology to bring your part to life. So, how do you choose a manufacturing partner? And how do you ensure you get the most out of that relationship?

Digital Manufacturing

Unveiling the Secrets: The Anatomy of a Mould Tool

Published: 03/24

​Have you ever wondered what an injection mould tool consists of? Explore our comprehensive guide to learn more about the ins and outs of mould tool anatomy.

Digital Manufacturing

Material Hardness Testing of CNC Machined Parts

Published: 03/24

When selecting the right material for your CNC machined part, hardness is often one of the key considerations. Harder materials resist deformation and scratches, making them longer-lasting and easier to clean and maintain. However, you will often sacrifice toughness if you require a hard material. It may sound contradictory, but if you take glass as an example, it is hard, but its toughness is extremely weak, making it very fragile. On the other side of the scale, plastics are often tough but less resistant to surface and impact damage than metals.

Digital Manufacturing

How to choose the right design firm for your needs

Published: 02/24

So you have an idea and may even have a design sketched, but you need someone to help you get that part designed in CAD, prototyped, tested and out to market; where do you start?

Digital Manufacturing

Digital Manufacturing: The Growing Appetite in Food and Agriculture

Published: 02/24

It’s no secret that digital manufacturing is revolutionising the agriculture industry – In fact, we delved into the transformative potential of digital manufacturing in agriculture in an earlier blog. But the demand for more is unprecedented, which begs the question: what is driving the growth?

Digital Manufacturing

Manufacturing Considerations for Plastic Prototyping

Published: 01/24

The term “back to the drawing board” is more than a cliché. Planning for and producing multiple iterations of any product is the most effective way to reduce overall project costs. And this is no different than when designing a part made from plastic.

Digital Manufacturing

Unveiling the Secrets: The Anatomy of a Mould Tool

Published: 01/24

Whether you're an experienced engineer, student or enthusiast, you'll likely be wondering what an injection mould tool consists of. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve deep into the anatomy of a mould tool, unravelling its components, functions, and the process that occurs when it's in action.

Digital Manufacturing

Types of 3D Printing Technology

Published: 01/24

The term 3D printing encompasses several manufacturing technologies that build parts layer-by-layer. Each vary in the way they form plastic and metal parts and can differ in material selection, surface finish, durability, and manufacturing speed and cost.

Digital Manufacturing

Combining Rigid and Flexible Materials with PolyJet Overmoulding

Published: 12/23

Create unique, complex geometries with overmoulds by leveraging PolyJet 3D printing.

Digital Manufacturing

How DMLS Can Be Used to Produce Reliable Metal Parts

Published: 11/23

When the first direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) machines hit the production floor, some in the manufacturing community assumed the end of traditional machining was near. After all, how cool is it to fill a machine with metal powder, load a CAD file, and a few hours later, out pops a shiny new part?

Digital Manufacturing

Protolabs x IMechE Survey 2023: Cost Pressures Hit Manufacturing's Sustainability Goal

Published: 11/23

If innovation has been the manufacturing buzzword of the past five years, the next five might be marked by a different one: inflation.

Digital Manufacturing

Anodising vs. Electroplating: How to choose the right finish for your parts

Published: 11/23

In the world of metal finishing, Anodising and Electroplating stand as formidable contenders, each wielding its own unique set of attributes to enhance the appearance, corrosion resistance, and durability of metal parts. To help you understand what finish is right for you, let's dive into these two surface treatment processes and uncover the secrets to choosing the perfect finish for your prized parts.

Digital Manufacturing

3D Printed Plastic: Prototypes: What's Next?

Published: 10/23

3D printing is often a great entry route to prototyping plastic parts mainly because it is a quick, flexible, and cost-effective process. But what happens once you are ready to move forward with your product development plan?

Digital Manufacturing

Designing 3D Printed Parts with Speed in Mind

Published: 10/23

When it comes to rapid prototyping, speed is key. Finding a supplier that can turn around your parts quickly and accurately is vital. But did you know there are things you can do when designing your part to ensure the quickest build possible?

Digital Manufacturing

Using Lattice Structures in 3D Printing for Strength and Lightweighting

Published: 10/23

Learn how to use lattice structures in your 3D-printed parts without making a mesh of things with this latest design tip.

Digital Manufacturing

Tips to Reduce Injection Moulding Costs

Published: 09/23

This design tip shares 11 ideas on how to cut costs when producing your injection moulded parts, from the smart utilisation of design for manufacturability analysis, self-mating parts, core cavities, on-demand production, and more.

Digital Manufacturing

CNC Machining for Slide Bearings

Published: 09/23

Slide bearings are a critical component in many engineering applications, they provide a smooth, low-friction surface that allows parts to move back and forth multiple times, with a long service life. This blog covers materials to consider for slide bearings.

Digital Manufacturing

Turning Over a New Leaf: Digital Manufacturing in Agriculture

Published: 09/23

In this blog, learn how digital manufacturing is helping the agriculture industry tackle new issues and age-old concerns that impact efficiency, sustainability, and the future of our food supply.

Design Software

9 Strategies for Designing Multipart Assemblies

Published: 08/23

Two basic tenets of design for manufacturing and assembly best practices are shrink the bill of materials (BOM) and make products easy to assemble. If that sounds easier said than done, read on.

Digital Manufacturing

From Blueprint to Reality: 3D Printing’s Role in Architecture

Published: 08/23

The architecture industry is undergoing a game-changing transformation thanks to 3D printing. Architects are embracing this technology to revolutionise how they design, construct, and experience buildings. With 3D printing, architects can turn digital designs into tangible objects, unlocking endless possibilities. They can now create intricate geometries, customise designs, and optimise structures with unparalleled precision and efficiency. But it doesn't stop there. 3D printing also influences sustainability practices, material research, and how architectural models are communicated to clients and stakeholders.

Digital Manufacturing

Aerospace manufacturing in 2023

Published: 08/23

In early 2023, a joint survey from the Royal Aeronautical Society and Protolabs was conducted to learn more about the aerospace sector’s most important concerns and top priorities. Tim Robinson FRAeS examines the results, and provides you with a breakdown.

Digital Manufacturing

Why You Should Use Vapour Smoothing on 3D-Printed Parts

Published: 07/23

One of the perceived drawbacks of some 3D printing processes is that they produce parts that look and feel a bit rough, which is a fair critique. The 3D printing process is all about building parts from one end to the other, layer by layer, fusing new plastic or metal powder onto existing layers with a zap of a high-powered laser. Part layers may be visible in the final product, which is important to remember when aesthetics are a concern. Some designers have shied away from having parts made using SLS or MJF due to these issues, but a recently developed process eliminates some—if not all—of those concerns.

Digital Manufacturing