MINNEAPOLIS, MN, Nov 10, 2026 – Protolabs has increased its HP Jet Fusion 5600 series 3D printing capacity by 50% to meet growing demand for lightweight parts from aerospace, defense and drone companies. The expansion supports prototyping and production using Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) technology.
Protolabs currently serves more than 100 drone manufacturers. Revenue from this segment has increased more than 90% since 2023, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 40%.
“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.”
Protolabs uses Nylon PA-12, an impact-resistant material, to produce lightweight components through MJF technology for drone applications. The company manufactures these parts at its North Carolina-based 3D printing facility, which holds U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) registration and AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 certifications.
Source: Protolabs
About Protolabs
Protolabs is a digital manufacturing company founded in 1999 and headquartered in Maple Plain, MN. The company provides prototyping and production services through 3D printing, CNC machining, injection molding and sheet metal fabrication. It serves the aerospace, automotive, medical, consumer products and industrial equipment sectors. Protolabs uses automated quoting and manufacturing systems to process orders for custom parts, from prototypes to low-volume production. Some parts can be delivered in as little as one day, depending on project requirements. The company serves about 51,000 customer contacts across more than 160 countries. Protolabs employed 2,300 people worldwide. The company operates manufacturing facilities and offices in North America, Europe and Japan.
