Protolabs Boosts 3D Printing Capacity by 50%

The manufacturer expanded its HP Jet Fusion 5600 series capacity as demand from aerospace, defense and drone companies rises.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Manufacturing

Large industrial powder-bed 3D printer with its build chamber open in a wide, clean factory hall, with similar machines receding into the background. — Protolabs increased its HP Jet Fusion 5600 capacity by 50% as aerospace, defense and drone demand pushed its U.S. printing revenue up more than 40% through Q3 2026. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Protolabs increased capacity of its HP Jet Fusion 5600 series by 50%. Its Multi Jet Fusion printing revenue through U.S. factories grew more than 40% year-over-year through Q3 2026.

Why it matters

Demand from aerospace, defense and drone companies has risen, pushing manufacturers to expand additive production. The expansion reflects growing reliance on 3D printing for high-requirement parts in the U.S. manufacturing sector.

Protolabs' Multi Jet Fusion revenue through its U.S. factories grew more than 40% year-over-year through Q3 2026, and drone segment revenue is up more than 90% since 2023. The company serves over 100 drone manufacturers, but the source does not disclose the capacity investment cost.

The players

Protolabs

Protolabs is a digital manufacturing company that produces prototype and production parts using 3D printing, CNC machining and injection molding.

The details

Protolabs increased capacity of its HP Jet Fusion 5600 series by 50% and says the upgrade will enable higher build density, allowing more Multi Jet Fusion parts to be printed simultaneously. The company manufactures high-requirement parts at its North Carolina 3D printing factory, which holds ITAR registration, AS9100D certification and ISO 9001:2015 certification.

Through Q3 2026, Multi Jet Fusion revenue at U.S. factories grew more than 40% year-over-year.
Since 2023, drone segment revenue has risen more than 90%.

Industry Shift

The expansion extends the use of HP Multi Jet Fusion technology, which uses Nylon PA-12 material to produce lightweight parts. Manufacturers are increasingly turning to this additive process for aerospace and drone components that require lightweighting.

Buyers of aerospace, defense and drone components may see expanded additive manufacturing capacity for high-requirement parts. The added build density could support faster production of lightweight Multi Jet Fusion components.

The takeaway

Rising demand from defense and drone sectors is pushing U.S. manufacturers to scale additive production. Companies relying on lightweight, certified parts should watch capacity expansions in 3D printing.