Digital manufacturing service bureauProtolabs(PRLB) has announced the opening of a new production facility that allows it to expand its 3D printing capacity by 60%.
Located in the Bavarian town of Putzbrunn, the factory is said to host a 450-strong team and ‘future-oriented technologies,’ that enable it to better meet the needs of European and UK-based customers. In fact, Bjoern Klaas, VP of Protolabs Europe, says the complex could have significant lead time benefits for its clients on the British Isles, while providing 3D printing with a stronger platform on which to shine.
克拉斯说：“我们对新的欧洲3D印刷中心的开放感到非常高兴，以及它对英国客户的战略重要性。”“我们的英国客户将享受更大的服务，这项最新的投资无疑将帮助我们实现在短短几天内提供原型和低量生产零件的承诺。”
“The new production facility expands our capacity and enables further growth for pioneering 3D printing technologies in the future.”
Protolabs’ recent expansion drive
Based in Telford, UK, Protolabs markets injection molding, CNC machining and 3D printing services to prototyping and low-volume manufacturing customers. In the case of the latter, the company’s offering relies on its portfolio of SLA, SLS, MJF, PolyJet and metal machines, and it continues to seek out new additions to (as well as applications for) these technologies.
In May 2021, for instance, the firm获得DNV GL认证在其石油和天然气3D打印服务中，在强调其在该领域的潜力“决策时间”调查9月，该公司揭示了83％的关联公司正在考虑采用该技术来减少离岸备件的交货时间。
Protolabs has also grown its revenue in more direct ways, such as its2.8亿美元的枢纽收购，这一举动使其能够扩大其容量和供应网络，同时改善用户的交货时间选择。但是，自从从“ 3D枢纽”重命名枢纽以来，该公司的首席执行官Rob Bodor承认该业务遭受了“客户获取的暂时下降”，他坚持认为这是短期的。
In Protolabs’ Q3 financials, it was revealed that its subsidiary actually brought in $9 million, allowing it to generate $125 million in revenue during Q3 2021, 17% more than the $108 million reported in Q3 2020. Hubs’ income therefore continues to boost that of Protolabs, although Bodor has previously credited the launch of its upgraded CNC machining and injection molding offerings for its recent growth as well.
A sustainable growth project
When Protolabsfirst announced its new facility2020年5月，它预计它将将现有的生产部门与附近的Feldkirchen设施以及其他25台机器一起移动。当时，该公司认为此举将扩大其3D打印能力高达50％，但现在该综合大楼终于开放，预计它将上升到更令人印象深刻的60％。
This ramped-up productivity can be accounted for by the factory’s impressive arsenal of 60 industrial 3D printers, which allow it to offer metal and plastic production services via a range of additive technologies. If completed to the plans unveiled last year, the facility also features a CNC machining center, as well as a 5-axis milling machine and coloring systems, capable of high-quality part finishing.
In addition to expanding on its capacity, Protolabs says it has built its complex with “several sustainable features” that allow it to “save resources whilst reducing its CO2footprint,” including the use of clever heat recovery and the “intelligent link of engineering processes” to reduce any energy spent during the site’s construction, and the integration of green energy-charging facilities.
According to the company, its expansion comes at the “perfect time” as well, given that its automotive, aerospace, electrical, industrial, medical and energy clientele are “looking to invest” post-COVID, potentially allowing it to benefit from a wave of previously pent up part demand.
“The opening of the 3D printing centre illustrates our long-term corporate strategy, which is geared towards fast evolving technologies, rapidly shifting markets, environmental considerations and world-class employees,” added Klaas. “In doing so, we want to fulfil our social responsibility, as well as deliver an unparalleled service through digital manufacturing.”
“[Our] approach enables customers to more rapidly develop their products, go to market faster, reduce manufacturing costs and achieve a flexible supply chain.”
3D printing’s bureau battle
Protolabs的扩展是在3D打印部门受到许多资本丰富的服务提供商激烈争议的时候，每个人都试图转弯相同的设计师制造商领域的一部分。有筹集了约3.02亿美元from its IPO earlier this year,Xometry是这样的公司。自公开以来，该公司已经不断发展到力量，并报告26,000 active users in Q3。
完成后完成merger with Galileo Acquisition，，，，Shapeways是另一个服务局，有迅速扩大业务的野心。该公司使用其IPO筹集的价值9000万美元的资本，为自己设定了雄心勃勃的目标generating $250 million in revenue到2024年，尽管这种快速增长是否会实现尚待观察。
别处，3D Systems已经选择完全从零件提供商空间中取出出售其按需制造部门in September 2021. Bought by三角洲北美for $82 million, the facilities now operate under the revivedQuickpartsbrand, which continues to offer services via its 150-strong fleet of SLA, SLS and FDM 3D printers.
To stay up to date with the latest 3D printing news, don’t forget to subscribe to the3D打印行业通讯or follow us on推特or liking our page onFacebook。
为了深入研究添加剂制造，您现在可以订阅我们的雷电竞充值Youtubechannel, featuring discussion, debriefs, and shots of 3D printing in-action.
您是否正在寻找添加剂制造业的工作？雷电竞充值访问3D打印作业在行业中选择一系列角色。
Featured image shows Protolabs’ new Putzbrunn production facility. Photo via Protolabs.
