Protolabs Installs Second Axtra3D Lumia X1 to Meet Rising Demand for Photopolymers – 3DPrint.com

July 23, 2025

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Digital manufacturing chief Protolabs gives many companies, together with injection molding, CNC machining, and 3D printing, which makes it versatile sufficient to serve a variety of buyer wants. Whereas the income from its 3D printing division has been dipping, the know-how stays a well-liked choice for patrons, and Protolabs continues to develop its AM capabilities whereas it really works to increase additional into manufacturing manufacturing. As such, the corporate has efficiently put in a second Lumia X1 3D printer from Axtra3D, in an effort to meet the regularly rising demand for superior photopolymer purposes.

“From the outset, the Lumia X1 has exceeded expectations in each efficiency and reliability, making it a superb selection for scaling,” stated Protolabs Director of 3D Printing Operations Kenny Capps. “Its capability to persistently ship high-quality elements with minimal post-processing has allowed us to increase manufacturing with out compromising on pace or precision. The addition of a second unit allows us to fulfill the rising buyer demand for HPS elements.”

Protolabs’ Putzbrunn-facility. Picture courtesy of Protolabs.

This addition comes inside simply 9 months of Protolabs putting in the primary high-throughput Lumia X1 at its Raleigh, North Carolina location, so the manufacturing firm is severe about shortly and strategically scaling its photopolymer capabilities. This additionally exhibits how profitable the primary Lumia X1 deployment was, and the way a lot confidence Protolabs has within the platform.

Rajeev Kulkarni, Chief Technique Officer at Axtra3D, stated, “Protolabs’ resolution to put in a second Lumia X1, pushed by increasing software use, reinforces the worth of our Hello-Pace SLA. The truth that we moved from PO to full set up in simply three days is a testomony not solely to the power of our partnership, but in addition to the operational alignment and dedication on each side.”

Protolabs makes use of Axtra3D’s patented Hybrid Photosynthesis (HPS) know-how for purposes like production-grade end-use elements, fire-retardant elements, and ceramic mildew inserts. HPS is basically vat polymerization that makes use of each digital gentle processing (DLP) and stereolithography (SLA) know-how, and is alleged to supply excessive pace, precision, dimensional accuracy, floor high quality, and throughput. The Lumia X1 Hello-Pace SLA printer is Axtra3D’s flagship system, and combines HPS with its TruLayer know-how, which quickly detaches the lively print layer and strikes to the subsequent one to make sure seamless layer transitions; Axtra3D says this ends in a 20X throughput enchancment, whereas sustaining constancy and accuracy of the printed elements.

“Protolabs is understood for figuring out and scaling transformative applied sciences shortly, and their continued funding within the Lumia X1 highlights the platform’s unmatched mixture of pace, precision, and materials functionality,” Kulkarni continued. “We’re excited to help Protolabs’ development and innovation.”

In response to the Q1 2025 3DP/AM Market Information and Forecast by Additive Manufacturing Analysis, the polymer AM market totaled $2.06 billion within the first quarter of 2025, whereas the metallic AM market was $1.52 billion for a similar time interval. So Protolabs made what is going to doubtless be a really profitable resolution by investing in a second Axtra3D Lumia X1.

On Thursday, July thirty first, at 2 pm EST, Protolabs and Axtra3D will participate in an unique ASME webinar on “Superior Photopolymers: Accelerating Product Improvement.” Eric Utley, 3DP Functions Engineering Supervisor for Protolabs, and Axtra3D’s Kulkarni will focus on why Protolabs selected Hello-Pace SLA know-how for its enterprise, share current success tales, and speak about the primary outcomes and capabilities which are driving impression.