The Rise of 3D Printed Products Across Virginia
As 3D printing continues to reshape industries across the U.S., the Commonwealth of Virginia is quickly emerging as a regional leader in additive manufacturing innovation. From Richmond’s industrial hubs to Northern Virginia’s tech and defense sectors, businesses, educators, and healthcare providers are leveraging 3D printing to create faster, smarter, and more customized solutions. We at Applied Rapid Technologies are at the center of this transformation, which benefits from its strategic location—equidistant from both Richmond and the D.C. metro area—giving us unique access to two of the state’s most dynamic economic engines.
Here’s a look at some of the most in-demand 3D printed products being developed throughout Virginia, including how companies like ours are helping lead the way.
Custom Prosthetics and Orthotics
Virginia’s expanding biotech and healthcare sectors are leading the way in producing custom 3D printed prosthetics and orthotic devices. Major medical institutions like UVA and VCU Health are integrating 3D scanning with additive manufacturing to create devices that offer superior anatomical accuracy and patient comfort.
Applied Rapid Technologies collaborates with regional health providers to deliver patient-specific prosthetics with rapid turnaround. By combining 3D scanning with tailored printing workflows, practitioners ensure a highly personalized fit for each patient—improving mobility, reducing irritation, and accelerating recovery.
Aerospace Components
With a strong aerospace and defense presence—particularly in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia—Virginia-based manufacturers are producing 3D printed aerospace components such as brackets, housings, and internal structures. These parts are lighter, stronger, and more geometrically complex than their traditionally manufactured counterparts.
We support aerospace suppliers across the state by implementing design-for-additive-manufacturing (DfAM)principles early in the engineering process, enabling optimized performance, reduced material waste, and faster prototyping cycles.
Architectural Models
Architecture firms in cities like Alexandria, Arlington, and Richmond can leverage 3D printing to craft detailed architectural models for client presentations and planning sessions. These models offer a tangible way to communicate scale, detail, and spatial flow.
With quick access to both urban cores, we can partner with firms up and down the I-95 corridor to deliver high-resolution, resin-printed models—often in a fraction of the time traditional fabrication would require. Modular assembly and high detail capture give our clients the flexibility to revise and iterate designs quickly.
Educational Tools and STEM Projects
Across Virginia, schools, universities, and makerspaces are incorporating 3D printing into STEM education. Students are using the technology to prototype mechanical parts, explore scientific concepts, and build confidence through digital fabrication.
We can support K–12 programs and higher education institutions by offering fast, affordable printing services and mentorship in additive design. By encouraging experimentation and iteration, Applied Rapid Technologies helps foster the next generation of innovators and engineers.
Replacement Parts and Custom Tools
From independent machine shops to advanced manufacturing plants, Virginia businesses are using 3D printing to create custom jigs, fixtures, and hard-to-source replacement parts. These solutions minimize downtime and eliminate long lead times from OEM suppliers.
Our central location gives it a logistical advantage—providing rapid delivery to both Richmond and D.C. metro clients. By digitizing legacy components through 3D scanning and storing them in virtual libraries, Applied Rapid Technologies helps clients quickly reproduce or modify tools as needed.
Whether in healthcare, aerospace, education, or manufacturing, 3D printing in Virginia is driving innovation and practical solutions statewide. Applied Rapid Technologies stands at the heart of this movement— leveraging our strategic location and technical expertise to deliver speed, precision, and value across industries. With its blend of accessibility and innovation, Virginia continues to position itself as a future-forward leader in advanced manufacturing – and we at Applied Rapid Technologies are proud to support that mission.
