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MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Protolabs (NYSE: PRLB), a global leader in digital manufacturing, has increased its HP Jet Fusion 5600 series capacity by 50% amid rising demand from aerospace, defense, and drone companies. The increased capacity allows Protolabs to better serve emerging industries using the technology for lightweight, complex prototyping and production parts.
Protolabs’ Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) printing revenue through its U.S. factories grew more than 40% year-over-year through Q3 2026, driven in part by drone customers.Serving over 100 drone manufacturers today, revenue from the segment is up more than 90% since 2023, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 40%. To support this growth, Protolabs combines greater capacity with the speed and quality necessary to accelerate product development timelines.
“As drone and aerospace customers scale production, we’re expanding Multi Jet Fusion capacity to deliver the lightweight, production-ready parts they need,” said Suresh Krishna, President and CEO at Protolabs. “Our commitment to continuous improvement keeps us at the forefront of innovation for industries moving at the speed of software.”
Aerospace and defense industries are leading in adoption of additive manufacturing technologies for both prototyping and end-use production. The HP 5600 series enables higher build density, resulting in the ability to print more MJF parts simultaneously for faster, more efficient production.
Lightweighting with MJF uses Nylon PA-12, an impact-resistant material with an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio ideal for demanding drone applications. Protolabs manufactures these high-requirement parts in its North Carolina-based 3D printing factory, which holds ITAR registration (U.S.-based), as well as AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 certifications.
About Protolabs
Protolabs (NYSE: PRLB) is the world’s fastest manufacturing service enabling companies across every industry to streamline production of quality parts throughout the entire product life cycle. From custom prototyping to end-use production, we support product developers, engineers, and supply chain teams along every phase of their manufacturing journey. Get started now at protolabs.com.
Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) shows how much an investment grows, on average, each year over a certain period. It’s like measuring how fast a plant grows each year, smoothing out the ups and downs to see the overall growth trend. Investors use CAGR to compare different investments and see which one has the best long-term performance.
nylon pa-12technical
A polyamide thermoplastic known as nylon PA-12 (polyamide 12) used in manufacturing and 3D printing; it is a semi-crystalline engineering plastic made from repeating 12‑carbon monomers that gives it a balance of strength, flexibility and chemical resistance. Compared with other nylons it absorbs less moisture, has lower stiffness and higher elongation, and resists many oils and fuels, so it is often chosen for molded parts, tubing, and selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printing; its limitations include lower heat deflection temperature than some engineering plastics and sensitivity of final properties to moisture content and processing conditions.
itar registrationregulatory
Registration under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) is the mandatory process by which a U.S. person or company that manufactures, exports, brokers, or temporarily imports defense articles or furnishes defense services notifies and registers with the U.S. Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC). Registration requires submitting identifying information, paying an annual fee, and keeping records; it is a prerequisite for applying for export licenses and other authorizations but does not itself authorize any export, reexport, or defense service.
as9100dtechnical
AS9100D is a widely recognized quality-management standard for organizations that design, manufacture, or service aerospace products; it builds on general quality rules and adds aerospace-specific requirements to ensure consistent safety and performance. For investors, AS9100D certification is a signal that a company has formal processes to reduce defects, delays and supply-chain problems—like a vehicle safety inspection for production—and can be crucial for winning contracts and limiting costly recalls or rework.
iso 9001:2015technical
ISO 9001:2015 is an international standard for a company's quality management system, describing a structured set of practices that help organizations consistently meet customer expectations and improve processes. For investors, an ISO 9001:2015 certification is like a verified recipe or checklist showing the company follows disciplined procedures to reduce mistakes, control costs, and protect reputation, which can lower operational risk and support steady performance.
