Protolabs expands Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing and CNC capacity for drone makers as segment revenue grows over 90% since 2023

Protolabs is expanding its additive manufacturing and CNC machining capacity to serve drone manufacturers, citing revenue from drone customers up more than 90% since 2023 with a compound annual growth rate near 40%. The buildout centers on Multi Jet Fusion capacity developed with HP Additive, aimed at lightweight, complex parts such as housings, air ducts, brackets, and connectors where weight and aerodynamics matter. Protolabs says its 3D printing operations carry ISO 9001 certification for demanding applications. The company also broadened its Protolabs Network materials catalog to 75 options, adding Inconel 625 for high-temperature components, AISI 4130 chromoly steel for load-bearing structures, and 5754 aluminum for lightweight, corrosion-resistant enclosures, alongside expanded CNC milling for tighter tolerances and additional finishes on metal and plastic parts.

The expansion targets both commercial and military drone programs, from development prototypes through series production, letting a single service bureau capture demand regardless of which segment accelerates first. The material additions matter as much as the added capacity: Inconel 625 and chromoly steel push Protolabs beyond prototyping polymers into structural and thermal roles that drone airframes and propulsion mounts actually require. Protolabs frames the buildout around shrinking design cycles from weeks to days, consistent with service-bureau economics where speed to a qualified part, not machine count, is the sellable asset. Market forecasts cited put global drone demand growing near 9.5% annually over the next decade, driven by aerospace, defense, and commercial use.