Proto Labs expands additive manufacturing services

Proto Labs Inc., a digital manufacturing source for custom prototypes and low-volume production parts, has announced it will integrate multiple Concept Laser Mlab cusing and M2 cusing machines into its new, 77,000-sq.-ft. facility in Grapevine, Texas. The new LaserCUSING® metal powder-bed systems will enable the company to manufacture with a variety of reactive and nonreactive metal powders in various build volumes.

Because the systems can use a variety of alloys, prototypes can be functional hardware made out of the same material as production components. Since the components are built layer by layer, it is possible to design internal features and passages that could not be cast or otherwise machined.