# How Protolabs turns CAD files into parts in under 24 hours

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2026-08-14
- Length: 1h 12m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-08-14-how-protolabs-turns-cad-files-into-parts-in-under-24-hours
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/how-protolabs-turns-cad-files

## Summary

Marc Kermisch, CTO and AI Officer at Protolabs, explains how the company uses AI and simulation to turn CAD files into physical parts in under 24 hours across CNC machining, 3D printing, injection molding, and sheet metal. He details how ProDesk flags manufacturability issues like tight tolerances and ejector locations, while internal AI tools optimize print box placement and visual quality inspection. Kermisch also discusses the critical tradeoffs between prototyping and production, highlighting common design mistakes such as non-uniform wall thickness and missing draft angles that engineers must address before tooling.

## Chapters

- [0:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-08-14-how-protolabs-turns-cad-files-into-parts-in-under-24-hours#t=9) Introduction: Robot Report Podcast and Humanoid Report
- [7:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-08-14-how-protolabs-turns-cad-files-into-parts-in-under-24-hours#t=429) RoboBusiness Event and Q2 2026 Robotics Demand Report
- [16:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-08-14-how-protolabs-turns-cad-files-into-parts-in-under-24-hours#t=1013) Uber Selling Stake in Serve Robotics and San Mateo County Regulation
- [28:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-08-14-how-protolabs-turns-cad-files-into-parts-in-under-24-hours#t=1696) Marc Kermisch Joins Protolabs and the History of Rapid Manufacturing
- [35:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-08-14-how-protolabs-turns-cad-files-into-parts-in-under-24-hours#t=2101) ProDesk and AI-Driven Design for Manufacturing Feedback
- [42:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-08-14-how-protolabs-turns-cad-files-into-parts-in-under-24-hours#t=2552) Choosing Between 3D Printing, CNC, and Injection Molding
- [48:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-08-14-how-protolabs-turns-cad-files-into-parts-in-under-24-hours#t=2931) AI Applications: Visual Inspection, Cobots, and Preventative Maintenance Skepticism
- [56:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-08-14-how-protolabs-turns-cad-files-into-parts-in-under-24-hours#t=3406) Common Design Mistakes: Wall Thickness, Draft Angles, and Shrink
- [1:00:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-08-14-how-protolabs-turns-cad-files-into-parts-in-under-24-hours#t=3605) Protolabs Network for Low-Volume Production and Supply Chain De-risking
- [1:05:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-08-14-how-protolabs-turns-cad-files-into-parts-in-under-24-hours#t=3932) Advice for Robotics Founders: Job to be Done and Wear/Tear

## Topics

- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Protolabs (company)
- ProDesk (product)
- Serve Robotics (company)
- Starship (company)
- No Tips (company)
- Tesla (company)
- Locusts (company)
- CMMMC (other)
- ISO (other)
- ITAR (other)
- CUI (other)
- MJF (other)
- CNC (other)
- 3D Printing (other)
- Injection Molding (other)
- Sheet Metal (other)
- Cobots (other)
- AI (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [S2 E5: Rapid Prototyping Deep Dive with Greg Paulsen](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2024-01-23-s2-e5-rapid-prototyping-deep-dive-with-greg-paulsen) (The Builder Circle)
- [Dylan Lundberg | Protolabs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-08-05-dylan-lundberg-protolabs) (Being an Engineer)
- [182: Consumer Product Hardware Trends in Mid 2023](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-06-30-182-consumer-product-hardware-trends-in-mid-2023) (Product Startup)
- [A New Era of Design Engineering Productivity w/ Hugo Nordell](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-01-02-a-new-era-of-design-engineering-productivity-w-hugo-nordell) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [163: 2023 Trends in Product Development for Hardware Products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-02-16-163-2023-trends-in-product-development-for-hardware-products) (Product Startup)

## Citing this page

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