Protolabs Opens European 3D Printing Center

Protolabs, a digital manufacturer of custom prototypes and low-volume parts, is opening a €16m European 3D printing center in Putzbrunn, Germany, near Munich, to boost its additive manufacturing (AM) capacity by 60%. The expansion means its European customers will now have even faster lead times and access to more than 60 industrial 3D printers offering metal and plastic parts through a range of AM technologies.

“The new production facility expands our capacity and enables further growth for pioneering 3D printing technologies in the future,” says Bjoern Klaas, vice president and managing director of Protolabs Europe. “Our UK customers will enjoy an even greater range of services and this latest investment will undoubtedly help us meet our promise of delivering prototypes and low-volume production parts in just a few days.”

Protolabs says it has also enhanced its commitment to the environment by including several sustainable features in the design of the Putzbrunn plant, building on its ISO 14001 certification and desire to save resources while reducing its CO² footprint. Its energy consumption has been reduced by leveraging the capabilities of heat recovery and waste heat utilization, as well as the intelligent linking of engineering processes. The new location, which keeps noise emissions below 26 decibels, also includes charging facilities for electric and hybrid vehicles in its own parking garage and draws on a mix of green electricity.

“The opening of the 3D printing center illustrates our long-term corporate strategy, which is geared toward fast-evolving technologies, rapidly shifting markets, environmental considerations and world-class employees,” Klaas added. “This approach enables our customers to more rapidly develop their products, go to market faster, reduce manufacturing costs and achieve a flexible supply chain throughout the entire product lifecycle.”

Protolabs has been operating in Telford since 2005 and provides custom components in as fast as one day, using automated 3D printing, CNC machining and injection molding technologies.