Protolabs expands CNC machining and MJF 3D printing capacity for drone makers as segment revenue grows 90% since 2023

Protolabs has expanded its quick-turn CNC machining and Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing capacity for commercial and defense drone manufacturers, adding MJF capacity through a partnership with HP Additive. The company says drone-customer revenue has grown more than 90% since 2023, a compound annual growth rate of nearly 40%. MJF parts are produced in Nylon PA12 for thin-walled, near-translucent components such as air ducts, housings, brackets, and snap-fit enclosures, chosen for strength-to-weight ratio and impact resistance. CEO Suresh Krishna said the expanded offering lets Protolabs deliver flight-ready parts in days rather than weeks, and the company's US manufacturing footprint includes ITAR-registered facilities supporting defense customers.

The move tracks a demand vertical rather than a single program win: drone platforms iterate quickly on payloads, avionics, and sensors, favoring high-mix, low-volume production over long runs, which plays to Protolabs' on-demand digital manufacturing model. Unlike aerospace primes, drone manufacturers face lighter qualification burdens, letting suppliers compete on quoting and fulfillment speed rather than multi-year certification cycles. Protolabs has not disclosed added machine counts, tolerance ranges, production volumes, or the specific drone manufacturers using the expanded service.

The 90% figure is self-reported and unaudited, so it reads as a directional signal of drone-sector demand rather than a verified capacity benchmark.