Protolabs, a global leader in technology-based digital manufacturing, has launched a new service offering an expanded range of surface finish options for product developers, innovators and manufacturers. For prototypes and small production runs, it is now possible to achieve distinctive surface textures, including leather-like and geometric patterns, through additive manufacturing (AM).
Textured surfaces are increasingly important in modern manufacturing and design, particularly in injection moulding, where they provide unique aesthetics and tactile qualities. This new capability from Protolabs allows designers to incorporate similar textures directly into 3-D printed parts, opening opportunities for intricate geometric patterns and in particular leather-like structures which could pave the way for sustainable, animal-friendly alternatives in industries such as fashion and automotive.
Protolabs’ experts translate the desired surface structure into black-and-white contrast images, which define the dimensions for production. The process is highly adaptable and compatible with techniques such as selective laser sintering (SLS) and multi-jet fusion (MJF), as well as other AM methods.
“There are virtually no limits to the imagination of our customers here,” said Christoph Erhardt, manager customer projects and additive design at Protolabs. “By creating structured surfaces, we are building another bridge between injection moulding and 3-D printing. A key advantage of our new offering is that no further post-processing steps are required to achieve the desired surface feel and appearance. Surface structures are created during the design process that correspond to the final part and can include even fine details. This provides our customers with the unique opportunity to structure new kinds of surfaces as well as to replicate structures that already exist in nature.”
The result is a prototype manufactured with exceptional precision, closely matching the properties of the final part. At the same time, the new service accelerates production and speeds up time-to-market. Beyond aesthetics, the process enables functional enhancements by tailoring surface properties to improve friction, adhesion or heat dissipation. This flexibility allows manufacturers to optimise durability, efficiency and performance while achieving individualised haptics and appearance.