Case Study: Virginia Tech reduces 3D printing workload with GrabCAD Shop

Virginia Tech Enhances 3D Printing Program with the Help of GrabCAD Shop

Virginia Tech’s Aerospace and Ocean Engineering machine lab, led by Senior Mechanical Designer Scott Patrick, faced growing 3D printing demand, disconnected communication with students, and the burden of manually moving CAD files between buildings. As the lab shifted to a fee-based print service during COVID-19, it also needed a better way to quote jobs, track material usage, and manage machine costs. Virginia Tech turned to GrabCAD, using GrabCAD Shop to modernize its additive manufacturing workflow.

With GrabCAD Shop, Virginia Tech centralized job intake and communication, allowing students to submit parts and comments in one place while Scott and his assistant managed and scheduled print jobs remotely. GrabCAD helped reduce Scott’s workload by 30–40%, eliminated much of the email back-and-forth and file shuttling, and improved turnaround for student assignments and research prototypes. The result was a more efficient lab that better bridged traditional machining and 3D printing, while giving students greater exposure to additive manufacturing.

Virginia Tech

Scott Patrick

Senior Mechanical Designer