Protolabs has increased its HP Jet Fusion 5600 series capacity by 50% amid rising demand from aerospace, defence, and drone companies.
The increased capacity, Protolabs says, will allow it to better serve those using the technology for lightweight, complex prototyping and production parts.
Protolabs’ Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) printing revenue through its U.S. factories grew more than 40% year-over-year through Q3 2026, driven in part by drone customers. Serving over 100 drone manufacturers today, revenue from the segment is up more than 90% since 2023, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 40%, according to the company.
“As drone and aerospace customers scale production, we’re expanding Multi Jet Fusion capacity to deliver the lightweight, production-ready parts they need,” said Suresh Krishna, President and CEO at Protolabs. “Our commitment to continuous improvement keeps us at the forefront of innovation for industries moving at the speed of software.”
Protolabs expects the HP 5600 series to enable higher build density, resulting in the ability to print more MJF parts simultaneously for faster, more efficient production. Lightweighting with MJF uses Nylon PA-12, an impact-resistant material with an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio ideal for demanding drone applications. Protolabs manufactures these high-requirement parts in its North Carolina-based 3D printing factory, which holds ITAR registration (U.S.-based), as well as AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 certifications.
