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    Olympus Machining vs Protolabs

    A factual capability comparison for buyers deciding between a direct ITAR-registered CNC shop and a rapid manufacturing service. Both are legitimate options for different programs.

    Olympus Machining LLC is a U.S.-based precision CNC machine shop in Hanover, Pennsylvania (CAGE 9V9P0) producing parts on our own equipment. Protolabs operates multiple facilities providing CNC, injection molding, sheet metal, and 3D printing with an automated quoting model.

    Capability Comparison

    Capability Olympus Machining Protolabs
    Lead time, single prototype 3–10 business days 1–10 business days (rapid quote)
    Minimum order quantity 1 piece 1 piece
    ITAR control Registered with DDTC; CAGE 9V9P0 Verify per program; not all sites enabled
    CAM engineer contact Direct, by name, every project Self-serve plus support team
    USA-only routing All work in Hanover, PA Multiple regional facilities
    AS9100D readiness On roadmap; AS9102 FAI standard Site-dependent — confirm per quote
    CMMC Level 1 Self-attested per FAR 52.204-21 Confirm per program
    Materials available Aluminum, stainless, titanium, brass, copper, Delrin, UHMW, PEEK, PEEK-CF30, CoCr, 316L SS Broad standard menu; specialty alloys vary
    Programmable production runs Up to ~500-piece short-run; outsource above Higher-volume capacity for standard parts

    Protolabs information based on publicly available service documentation as of May 2026. Confirm program-specific terms with the vendor before contracting.

    When to Choose Each

    Choose Olympus when…

    • • Your part falls under ITAR or you need a CAGE-coded supplier
    • • You want one shop to scale prototype → short-run production with the same setup
    • • Your customer requires AS9102 first article inspection in the FAI package
    • • You want a named CAM engineer who can DFM-review your file
    • • You need a documented chain of custody on raw material

    Protolabs may fit when…

    • • You need very rapid online quoting with no human interaction
    • • You need adjacent processes (injection molding, sheet metal, 3DP) from one vendor
    • • Your part is unclassified, geometry is standard, and procurement compliance is light
    • • You need higher-volume CNC production capacity than a 25-person shop can run

    Get a Quote From a Real CAM Engineer

    Submit your drawing — we will respond with a named engineer and a quote. No automated price wall.

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    Last reviewed: May 12, 2026