Rapid was founded in 2006. In 2017 The acquisition provided Rapid with expanded capabilities in sheet metal fabrication and CNC machining while also adding 3D printing and injection molding services.
Rapid Machining was launched in 2008 to satisfy demand for prototype machined parts. Previously, machined parts had to be subcontracted out to local machining shops. Rapid purchased one of these shops, and implemented Rapid Sheet Metal’s business model. Rapid Machining dedicated to short run production (RAMP, or Rapid Automated Manufacturing Process).
Protolabs purchased Rapid in late 2017, making Protolabs the world’s fastest digital manufacturing source for rapid prototype and on-demand production parts. Combined Rapid, a Protolabs Company
