Protolabs introduces colour matching system

Digital manufacturer, Protolabs has announced the introduction of its new colour matching system into its plastic injection moulding service.

The device PolyOne Pinpoint Express Colour and Dosing System features 3M precision dispensing and dosing technologies, allowing Protolabs to develop custom colours on site. As a result this reduces the time it takes to mould short-run plastic parts in precise colours.

The system works by allowing customers to choose which Pantone number they require or provide a sample part that can be scanned and colour matched, when a part design is ready. A material is then selected from the 13 available resin combinations, and PolyOne’s Pinpoint system is able to create a liquid formula that is dispensed and mixed before moving to the injection moulding press. The material is then fed through the doser and injection moulded. This results in customers receiving their custom colours much faster than traditional methods e.g. days compared to weeks.

Joel Matthews, global product manager at Protolabs said: “These new colour matching capabilities are a huge leap for the manufacturing industry, one stacked with benefits for our customers who are developing highly tailored products.

“With development cycles shrinking to meet the market demand for increased customisation, this is yet another tool to help our customers accelerate product launches and streamline supply chains.”

In order to further its position as a single source supplier from prototyping to production Protolabs has added new injection moulding capabilities. Therefore, along with custom colour matching it has launched multiple secondary processes and finishing options to support the full manufacturing process. These processes include things such as pad printing and laser engraving, threaded inserts, mould texturing for mould-tech finishes, and part assembly.

Matthews continued: “All of these new capabilities are things that our customers have wanted for a while, so we’re excited to finally be able to offer it to them while still delivering finished parts at industry leading speeds.”

Andy Homyk, senior engineer at medtech firm HemoSonics added: “Speed and flexibility, being able to deploy different manufacturing options, and a commitment to customer service are the main reasons we use Protolabs.”