Mazak Integrex i-100 Bartac-S Multi-Tasking machines improve job scheduling

Production forecasting can be more of an art than a science at Protolabs. The company deals with tens of thousands of different customers yearly, and orders to its machining segment average only three parts. With a range of capabilities that includes machining, injection moldmaking, 3D printing and sheet metal services, the company relies on a specially developed digital thread and versatile machine tools to keep lead times to a matter of days.

Protolabs began its digitalization journey when company founder Larry Lukis developed software for accepting customer CAD models and applying the data throughout the manufacturing process. Customers upload CAD models to the company’s website, choose material and finishing options, and learn how these options impact part lead time and manufacturability. According to Mike Kenison, Protolabs’ vice president and American general manager, digitizing the manufacturing data flow from initial order to completed part results in lower non-recurring costs for the first-part process compared to traditional manufacturers.