Regulated verticals

Industry programs shaped around evidence requirements

Each market brings a different definition of acceptable manufacturing proof. Protolabs organizes CNC machining services, injection molding services, additive manufacturing, and tooling support around the documents and controls that matter to the receiving team.

Icon grid

Vertical needs translated into manufacturing controls

The same material and tolerance can carry very different risk depending on whether the end use is flight hardware, a medical fixture, a robot end effector, or a production automation component. The industry grid below keeps those differences visible before quoting begins.

AE

Aerospace

FAI packages, AS9100D-ready records, critical feature inspection, and controlled supplier routing for special processes.

MD

Medical Devices

Traceability, biocompatible material discussion, clean handling expectations, and dimensional evidence for pilot builds.

AU

Automotive

PPAP-aware development support, repeatable fixtures, launch quantity planning, and change communication.

DF

Defense

ITAR-aware file handling expectations, controlled quote discussions, and certificate handoff planning.

EN

Energy

Material certificates, heat treat documentation, corrosion-resistant finishes, and field-service reliability concerns.

EL

Electronics

Cosmetic surfaces, molded enclosures, insert features, thermal considerations, and rapid iteration support.

IA

Industrial Automation

Fixture repeatability, machined datum stability, spare-part repeat orders, and practical maintenance documentation.

RB

Robotics

Lightweight additive geometry, machined interfaces, cable routing features, and mixed-material assemblies.

Comparison table

Common requirement patterns

Program typePrimary concernTypical evidenceManufacturing response
Aerospace bracketDatum integrity and special-process approvalFAI, material cert, processor certCNC route planning with supplier coordination notes
Medical prototypeTraceable material and surface conditionLot record, dimensional data, handling notesControlled machining or molding with inspection sampling
Automation fixtureRepeatability over reorder cyclesRevision history, CMM report, replacement notesStable datum strategy and documented workholding assumptions
Electronics enclosureCosmetic limits and insert fitTexture standard, resin lot, fit checkMolding review with gate, sink, and tolerance discussion

The table is not a substitute for a customer specification. It is a starting point that helps RFQ conversations become specific faster, especially when a drawing contains a mixture of dimensional, cosmetic, and compliance expectations.

Vertical review

Tell us the industry before the process is chosen.

When the end market is clear, the manufacturing route can be built around inspection evidence, supplier certificates, and production risk instead of generic lead-time language.

Map My Industry Requirements