en.Wedoany.com Reported - Digital manufacturing service provider Protolabs has announced an expansion of its rapid-turnaround CNC machining and 3D printing capacity to meet the needs of drone manufacturers. The company disclosed that revenue from drone customers has grown by over 90% since 2023, with a compound annual growth rate of nearly 40%.

The Minneapolis-based digital manufacturer stated that this capacity expansion is primarily targeting commercial and defense drone programs, which continue to see growing demand for rapidly iterated custom parts. Protolabs has upgraded its CNC machining capabilities to deliver end-use metal and plastic parts with tighter tolerances, higher precision, and a wider range of functional and cosmetic finishes within days. The company noted that these adjustments accommodate the high-mix, low-volume production model common in drone development, where engineering teams frequently iterate designs and integrate custom payloads.

Through a partnership with HP Additive, Protolabs has also expanded its Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing capacity to increase production capabilities for drone manufacturers. The MJF process produces thin-walled, near-translucent parts in nylon PA-12 material, which offers a high strength-to-weight ratio, impact resistance, and durability suitable for harsh operating conditions. In drone manufacturing, this technology is commonly used for ducts, housings, brackets, and shrouds in avionics cooling, field maintenance, and payload integration. Protolabs President and CEO Suresh Krishna stated that in this competitive industry, drone developers are innovating at software speed, and Protolabs can deliver flight-ready parts in days rather than weeks, with advancements in CNC machining and additive manufacturing enabling tighter tolerances and lighter weight for drone parts.