PRLB

Seems like a lot of people don't understand PRLB and 3D printing. Using paper printing as an anology, DDD (3D systems) and SSYS(Stratasys) are the companies that make the printers similiar to HP, Xerox, Epson etc. Protolabs (PRLB) is like the printing shop that you go to print documents or make copies similiar to Staples, Business Depot, PopCopy (haha).

Protolabs is a proto-typer and contract manufacturer and they probably use machines from both DDD, SSYS and many others. You send PRLB a CAD file of what you want them to build and they will make it for you in quantities ranging from 1 to 10,000 parts or more. Protolabs uses 3D printing in multiple materials (this is called additive manufacturing). PRLB also used CNC machines (subtractive manufacturing). They also use injection moulding in smaller batches which is useful to people who don't want to pay $10-15k for a mould and commit to buying massive quantities of parts. They also acquired a company called Rapid that produces sheet metal parts but PRLB has had major issues integrating this company into their main business for many quarters now.

The main reason the market is excited about PRLB with a P/E of 67 is their software, not their manufacturing capabilities as anyone out there can make you parts using the abovementioned processes (Xometry is one private co that comes to mind, and that i wish was public). PRLB prides themselves on a unique software that will produce a quote within 1 day, all you need is to provide a CAD file with your part design. Protolabs recently announced Protolabs 2.0 which is basically them updating their sales, CRM and backend software system.