Protolabs Boosts HP 5600 Capacity by 50%

The Minneapolis digital manufacturer is expanding its 3D printing output as drone and aerospace demand grows.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Manufacturing

Photograph of a bare metal industrial 3D printer with an open build chamber holding pale grey nylon lattice parts in a bright workshop. — Protolabs increased capacity of its HP Jet Fusion 5600 3D printing systems by 50% at its North Carolina factory as aerospace and drone demand rises. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Protolabs increased its HP Jet Fusion 5600 series capacity by 50%, with production taking place at its North Carolina 3D printing factory. The expansion follows more than 40% year-over-year growth in U.S. MJF revenue through Q3 2026.

Why it matters

Demand from aerospace, defense and drone companies drove the expansion, and the North Carolina site's ITAR registration and AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 certifications position it to serve regulated customers. The move reflects growing reliance on additive manufacturing for lightweight production parts.

Protolabs serves more than 100 drone manufacturers, and drone segment revenue has grown more than 90% since 2023. The company has not disclosed the machine count behind its 50% capacity increase or the customers it will serve.

The players

Protolabs

Protolabs is a Minneapolis-based digital manufacturer that provides on-demand CNC machining, injection molding and 3D printing services to engineering and product teams.

The details

The HP Jet Fusion 5600 series offers higher build density than earlier systems, allowing more Nylon PA-12 parts per build. Protolabs also expanded CNC machining and MJF 3D printing for drone manufacturing in July 2026.

July 2026: Protolabs expands CNC machining and MJF 3D printing for drone manufacturing.
Through Q3 2026: U.S. MJF revenue rises more than 40% year-over-year.
November 9, 2026: Protolabs announces the HP 5600 capacity expansion.

Market Landscape

The expansion places Protolabs against Forecast 3D, a San Diego-based competitor, in the race to supply production-scale additive parts. Growth in drone and aerospace demand is pushing contract manufacturers toward MJF systems that can run higher-volume builds.

For engineers and buyers sourcing drone or aerospace components, expanded MJF capacity could shorten lead times for Nylon PA-12 parts. Protolabs' ITAR registration and AS9100D certification at the North Carolina site matter for teams with compliance requirements.

The takeaway

Additive manufacturing capacity is becoming a key constraint for drone and aerospace production, and buyers should watch for how suppliers allocate new machines. Engineering teams with ITAR or AS9100D requirements should confirm site certifications before placing orders.