Proto Labs, Inc. announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 4,300,000 shares of common stock at a price to the public of $16.00 per share. The shares are expected to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange on February 24, 2012 under … [Read more...] about Proto Labs initiates public offering
Rapid injection molding
Use a smart phone to share digital microscope images
This is an innovative design—a plastic mount that connects smart phones to microscopes to digitally capture and share scientific images. This is such an innovative idea, that Proto Labs made the co-founders, Andy Miller and Tess Bakke, winners of the … [Read more...] about Use a smart phone to share digital microscope images
Tips on Clips Part 2: Make it Snappy
Plastic’s ability to flex without permanently deforming allows molded parts to incorporate a variety of snap fasteners other than the common hooked cantilever clip. These include: • annular (round) snaps • torsional snaps, which store return … [Read more...] about Tips on Clips Part 2: Make it Snappy
QuicKaddy Design is Latest Cool Idea! winner
A patent-pending hex key case design by mechanical engineer Matt Nestor is the latest recipient of the Proto Labs Cool Idea! Award. Proto Labs will provide Nestor with prototype parts he can use for demonstrations to major tool companies. The part … [Read more...] about QuicKaddy Design is Latest Cool Idea! winner
Fast prototyping speeds development of breakthrough vision screening
PediaVision® is a medical device company that provides comprehensive vision assessment technology for use on adults and children as young as 6 months old. Their latest innovation, Spot, is a patent-pending device that can assess a child’s vision … [Read more...] about Fast prototyping speeds development of breakthrough vision screening
A closer look at injection molding
Periodically we will be showing you potential service providers and resources for your rapid prototyping and rapid manufacturing needs. Here's an interesting video from a Michigan company, PTI Engineered Plastics. PTI is a full-service thermoplastic … [Read more...] about A closer look at injection molding
Tips on Clips
One of the many benefits of plastic resin is the ease with which it can be molded into complex shapes. This often allows a single part to replace two or more parts made of other materials. Among the complex features that can be molded into a plastic … [Read more...] about Tips on Clips
Latest Cool Idea! Winner: RoughRider® Wheelchair
Proto Labs has chosen Whirlwind Wheelchair International as the latest recipient of its Cool Idea! Award. Proto Labs – a leading online and technology-enabled manufacturer of quick-turn prototype and short-run parts – will help the company launch its … [Read more...] about Latest Cool Idea! Winner: RoughRider® Wheelchair
Round like a Wheel, Not Like an Egg
When making round parts—gears, pistons, plugs, and anything else that needs to fit, seal, or spin—start by asking just how round does it need to be? If the answer is “as round as possible,” you probably need a center gate. In injection molding, resin … [Read more...] about Round like a Wheel, Not Like an Egg
Subtractive prototyping with plastic
When you think of plastic materials for rapid prototyping, additive manufacturing processes probably come to mind. But subtractive prototyping can work with plastic materials too. The main benefit is that you are working with an end-use material. … [Read more...] about Subtractive prototyping with plastic