The document discusses how Proto Labs operates as a digital manufacturing company using Industry 4.0 principles. It explains that Proto Labs is able to produce custom parts in as few as 1 to 10,000 parts in 15 days or less by utilizing digital technologies throughout the manufacturing process. This allows for reduced upfront costs, faster time to market, and greater flexibility compared to traditional manufacturing. Specifically, Proto Labs integrates 3D CAD models digitally with the physical manufacturing process, uses digital tools like ProtoQuote for automated quoting and mold flow analysis, and operates with a "digital thread" and differentiation throughout design, manufacturing, and production.

1. From CAD model to molded parts in 3 days.
How Proto Labs operate a digital manufacturing company
Digital transformation og Industri 4.0 i plastbranchen Dan Björklöf, M.Sc. Econ.
20.6.2017, Hadsten, Denmark General Manager
, Proto Labs Nordics & Baltics

2. 1 to 10,000 parts in 15 days or less
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> Proto Labs – What we do?

3. > Traditional R&D

4. >Proto Labs – Value proposition
• Reduce up-front investment (cost of first parts greatly reduced)
• Increase speed to market (first parts can be made in days, not months)
• Greater flexibility (ability to react quicker to market demand)

5. > Industry 4.0?

6. 6
Industry 4.0 is the current trend of automation
and data exchange in manufacturing
technologies. It includes cyber-physical
systems, the Internet of things and cloud
computing. Industry 4.0 creates what has been
called a "smart factory".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industry_4.0

7. > Industry 4.0
• Digital Manufacturing
• Requirement: Integration of modern software technology
with physical manufacturing
• This can happen throughout the manufacturing process
• Where it happens matters
INJECTION MOLDING EXAMPLE

8. > Back-end Automation
• Automates the work that is consistent for each part produced
• High-volume manufacturers focus on the optimization of manufacturing at scale
• Maximum capital equipment utilization
• Minimum wasted materials and time
• Main role of Rapid Manufacturing
• Help start up assembly lines, robotics and inspection
• Best suited for high-volume production
>> High-volume Presses >> Robotics >> Vision-based Inspection

9. > Front-end Automation
• Automates the work that varies with each part design
• Focus is on the design and manufacturability of custom part
• Quoting and design for manufacturability (DFM) feedback
• Main role of Rapid Manufacturing & Industry 4.0
• Help start up assembly lines, robotics and inspection
• Clear advantages in short-runs and individual production
>> Advance Quotations >> Automated Engineering >> Technology Enabled
Low-volume Production

10. > Digital Meets Physical
• Confluence of 3D CAD (digital product) with
physical manufacturing process
DIGITAL
PRODUCT
DESIGN
PHYSICAL
MANUFACTURING
PROCESS

11. > How we operate

12. > Digital Differentiation
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13. > Digital Thread

14. > ProtoQuote
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15. > ProtoQuote - Mold Flow Analysis
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16. > Resources at Proto Labs
• Monthly Design Tips
• Weekly Blog Features
• Short Videos
• Case Studies
• Design Aids
• White Papers
• Quarterly Journals
• Customer Service Engineers
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https://www.protolabs.co.uk

17. Dan Björklöf | Director, Proto Labs EMEA
dan.bjorklof@protolabs.fi
Thank you