Robotic Automation and Artificial Intelligence | Protolabs
Robotic Automation and Artificial Intelligence
Streamline and accelerate development of robotics innovation with rapid prototyping and on-demand production
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How do Robotics Companies Use Protolabs?
Rapid Prototyping
Take advantage of design for manufacturability (DFM) feedback in our instant quotes to make adjustments to part design before any manufacturing begins, then navigate quickly through early- and late-stage prototyping with ease.
On-Demand Production
Whether it be custom parts at low volumes or repeatable parts at higher quantities, build agility into your supply chain by ordering quick-turn parts when needed.
Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO)
Order custom production parts on demand for MRO applications to keep robotics equipment running without delay.
Quality Certifications & Traceability
Take advantage of our ISO 9001-certified manufacturing process for high-requirement parts.
Range of Materials
Choose from machined metals like aluminum, titanium, and stainless steel 17-4 PH along with plastics such as POM and elastomeric resins.
Manufacturing Services for Robotics and AI Products
Injection Molding
Get affordable, high-quality molded parts and bridge tooling within days. With our free moldability consultation, the design and molding process is rapidly accelerated to save you time and money.
- Low-volume molding up to 100,000+ parts with volume pricing available—no MOQ required
- 100+ plastic, elastomeric, and silicone rubber materials
- Automated CMM for fast, in-house quality documentation
CNC Machining
Leverage the same speed, precision, and reliability in machining that you’re accustomed to at Protolabs but unlock advanced machining capabilities like tighter tolerances and volume pricing through our manufacturing network.
- Machined parts in as fast as 1 day with optional plating and anodizing in as fast as 4 days
- Cost-efficient machined parts at higher volumes
- Tolerances down to ±0.001 in. (0.020mm) through our digital network
3D Printing
Want quality parts and additive expertise at a single 3D printing source? Choose from seven different additive manufacturing technologies for cost-effective prototyping and highly precise, repeatable production parts.
- Additive technologies include metal 3D printing, SLA, SLS, FDM, and more
- 30 plastic and metal materials in a range of finishes
- 25 years of additive manufacturing expertise
Sheet Metal Fabrication
From easy quoting to quick-turn production and finishing options, get up to 500 quality sheet metal parts in your hands in days from a single supplier.
- Instant quotes with interactive manufacturability feedback
- Six sheet metal materials including aluminum, stainless steel, steel, brass, and copper
- Finishing options from welding and hardware insertion to powder coating and silk screening
Quality Measures for Robotics Industry
Our industry-standard procedures and certifications guarantee quality and regulatory compliance.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| CMM inspection report | First Article Inspection (FAI) |
| Dimensional Inspection Report (DIR) | PPAP |
| Material Certificates + Certificate of Analysis | Conflict Minerals Reporting |
| REACH + RoHS Certificates | Prop65 |
| Industry Certifications: ISO 9001 and AS 9100 | Certificate of Conformance (CoC) |
| Industry Certifications (Protolabs Network): ISO 13485, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ISO TS16949 |
Materials for Robotics Applications
Aluminum: A popular choice for the robotics industry due to its lightweighting capabilities. Certain alloys also display corrosion resistance, good weldability, and high heat resistance, all important properties to have for applications in the robotics industry.
Stainless Steel: A common material used by those in the robotics industry. Stainless steel is a solid choice for components on robotic applications that need to be durable and survive repeatable processes and harsh conditions.
Acetal/Delrin: Acetal boasts excellent dimensional stability and has low friction, both critical characteristics for robotic components that may be sliding or performing repeatable actions.
Elastomers: Elastomers are becoming increasingly popular in the robotics industry due to the rise of soft robotics, which are used for more delicate tasks that require a less heavy hand.
Common Robotics Applications
We have several capabilities within our manufacturing services catered to the robotics industry. Here are a few applications we frequently see.
| Application Type | Example Devices |
|---|---|
| Housings & Casings | Robotic Arms |
| Gears | Sensors |
| Motor Components | Cameras |
| Custom Fixtures | Feedback Devices |
Precision Manufacturing for Robotics Industry
Robotics is a diverse, relatively new industry, but most prominent in the industrial and manufacturing sectors. Applications include robotic arms, collaborative robots (aka cobots), robotic process automation, integrated artificial intelligence (AI), predictive maintenance, and service robots. For components created for the robotics industry, dimensional accuracy is vital.