Case Study: FarmBot achieves scalable, cost-effective production with Protolabs

Protolabs and its Cool Idea Award help FarmBot reduce manufacturing complexities to meet growing demand for micro-farming

FarmBot, the world’s first open-source CNC small-scale farming machine, needed to scale production and simplify a complex supply chain as demand grew—especially from unexpected education customers. To move beyond 3D-printed parts, reduce costs, improve repeatability, and enable on‑demand manufacturing, FarmBot partnered with Protolabs, leveraging Protolabs’ Cool Idea Award and product development/design‑for‑manufacturability services.

Protolabs supplied a manufacturing grant, DFMA guidance and digital/on‑demand production that enabled FarmBot to transition to injection‑molded components. The result was more repeatable, cost‑effective parts, a leaner, more agile supply chain that lets FarmBot react quickly to demand (nearly half of first‑year systems went to schools and universities), reduced inventory needs, and faster time‑to‑market as FarmBot scales.

FarmBot

Rory Aronson

Founder and Chief Executive Officer