{
  "schema_version": "uav-manufacturing-process-sources.v1",
  "reviewed_at": "2026-09-11",
  "scope": "A source-backed screening reference for selecting a drone-component manufacturing process. It does not establish supplier capability, qualification, capacity, current price, or a flight-approved design.",
  "sources": [
    {
      "id": "formlabs-drone-processes",
      "publisher": "Formlabs",
      "title": "3D printing technologies for drone components",
      "url": "https://formlabs.com/blog/best-3d-printers-for-drone-parts-uav-manufacturing/"
    },
    {
      "id": "protolabs-am-materials",
      "publisher": "Protolabs",
      "title": "3D printing materials guide",
      "url": "https://www.protolabs.com/resources/guides-and-trend-reports/selecting-the-right-material-for-3d-printing/"
    },
    {
      "id": "protolabs-mjf",
      "publisher": "Protolabs",
      "title": "Multi Jet Fusion process and materials",
      "url": "https://www.protolabs.com/services/3d-printing/multi-jet-fusion/"
    },
    {
      "id": "protolabs-cnc",
      "publisher": "Protolabs",
      "title": "CNC machining process and materials",
      "url": "https://www.protolabs.com/services/cnc-machining/"
    },
    {
      "id": "protolabs-molding",
      "publisher": "Protolabs",
      "title": "Injection molding process, design and materials",
      "url": "https://www.protolabs.com/resources/guides-and-trend-reports/injection-molding-guide-process-design-tips-materials/"
    }
  ],
  "processes": [
    {
      "id": "fdm",
      "name": "Filament printing (FDM)",
      "material_basis": "Specified thermoplastic filament, including ABS, nylon or TPU grades.",
      "useful_screen": "Investigate for fit trials and iterative geometry when the exact material and build orientation can be evaluated.",
      "evidence_to_request": "Material grade and conditioning, build orientation, layer-bonding evidence, support-removal plan, finish and inspection basis.",
      "source_ids": [
        "formlabs-drone-processes"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "sla",
      "name": "Resin printing (SLA)",
      "material_basis": "A named photopolymer resin with the required post-cure condition.",
      "useful_screen": "Investigate when fine detail and surface presentation matter and resin aging is explicitly considered.",
      "evidence_to_request": "Exact resin, washing and post-cure state, support marks, aging and environment data, finish and inspection basis.",
      "source_ids": [
        "formlabs-drone-processes"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "sls",
      "name": "Powder printing (SLS)",
      "material_basis": "Specified PA11 or PA12 nylon, or TPU on a compatible process.",
      "useful_screen": "Investigate for polymer geometry that benefits from powder support and accessible powder removal.",
      "evidence_to_request": "Powder grade, conditioning, orientation, powder-removal access, finish, dimensional and inspection evidence.",
      "source_ids": [
        "protolabs-am-materials"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "mjf",
      "name": "Powder printing (MJF)",
      "material_basis": "Specified PA12 or another provider-confirmed nylon grade.",
      "useful_screen": "Investigate when a provider's available material, feature limits and finishing route fit the intended part.",
      "evidence_to_request": "Exact material, powder-removal and finishing route, small-feature limits, orientation effects and inspection basis.",
      "source_ids": [
        "protolabs-mjf",
        "protolabs-am-materials"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "cnc",
      "name": "CNC machining",
      "material_basis": "Machinable polymer or metal stock with a declared grade and condition.",
      "useful_screen": "Investigate when stock-material identity and defined accessible features matter.",
      "evidence_to_request": "Stock grade and condition, setup and workholding plan, cutting-tool access, corner geometry, finish and critical-feature inspection.",
      "source_ids": [
        "protolabs-cnc"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "molding",
      "name": "Injection molding",
      "material_basis": "A specified moldable thermoplastic or elastomer grade.",
      "useful_screen": "Investigate after the design is stable enough to price tooling, revisions and repeated geometry together.",
      "evidence_to_request": "Resin grade, wall and draft review, undercuts, shrink, gates, ejection, tooling revision terms and inspection basis.",
      "source_ids": [
        "protolabs-molding"
      ]
    }
  ]
}