PLA
High stiffness, good detail, affordable.
ABS
Commodity plastic, improved mechanical and thermal properties compared to PLA.
Nylon
Used to substitute functional injection moulded parts, good chemical resistance.
Resin
High detail and smooth surface, injection mold-like prototyping.
PETG
Good for mechanical parts with high impact resistance and flexibility. Sterilizable.
TPU
Rubber-like material, suitable for tubes, grips, seals and gaskets.
ASA
UV stability and high chemical resistance, preferred material for outdoor applications.
PEI
Engineering plastic, high performance applications, flame retardant.
3D printed plastic parts
Additive manufacturing (AM) is an excellent option for producing plastic components quickly and cost-effectively. Plastic AM is generally cheaper than subtractive manufacturing, and its speed and automation allow for rapid, iterative part optimization.
3D printing plastic parts involves precisely building up a part layer by layer, distinguishing it from subtractive CNC plastic machining. As 3D printing uses a huge variety of polymer materials, it's ideal for many applications, including prototyping and low volume production runs.
Plastic 3D printing service
Protolabs Network offers a state-of-the-art plastic prototyping service, guaranteeing consistent quality and fast lead times. We work with a robust network of manufacturers operating over 2,400 3D printing machines, which means we can ensure both competitive prices and fast lead times.
With our global network and diverse capabilities, we can produce parts with all sorts of materials and properties, with various production methods. We specialize in industry-standard 3D printing processes, including FDM, SLA, SLS and MJF, bringing you everything you need for custom 3D printing projects, including rapid prototyping and industrial applications. Work with us to access our global plastic 3D printing supply chain today.
Custom plastic 3D printing
Our services enable designers and engineers to create custom 3D printed plastic parts for many applications in industries like aerospace, automotive, defense, industrial automation, machinery, manufacturing, medical devices, hardware setups, energy and robotics.
We use a machine learning algorithm to transform CAD files into quotes for your custom parts, ensuring the manufacturability of your designs before they reach a manufacturing partner. Our platform offers a wide variety of plastic materials and technologies fit for producing plastic parts, including post-processing options for certain plastic 3D printing methods.