Applied Systems & Technology Transfer

What Applied Systems & Technology Transfer does

Applied Systems & Technology Transfer (AST2) is a privately held, founder-led small business founded in 2009 and headquartered in Youngstown, Ohio. The company provides digital manufacturing, 3D printing, Fab Lab deployment, and workforce training services primarily to U.S. Department of Defense agencies — including DARPA, the U.S. Navy, NAVAIR, MARMC, the U.S. Marine Corps, and the Veterans Administration — with services procured via GSA Schedule 36. Its customer list also extends to AmericaMakes and academic institutions such as Old Dominion University and the University of Texas at El Paso.

AST2's product portfolio centers on three deployment models: fixed Fab Labs established at military installations (e.g., Patuxent River), transportable Fab Labs (mobile labs with additive and subtractive manufacturing equipment), and ship-based mini Fab Labs deployed aboard vessels such as USS Kearsarge and USS Truman. The signature system is the 3D Equipment for Field Logistics Support (3DEFLS), which packages a LulzBot Taz 6 3D printer, Artec 3D scanner, CAD software (SolidWorks, Autodesk Fusion, or Geomagic), and a workstation into a rugged Pelican case that can be operational in roughly 15 minutes under field conditions. AST2 also developed STORM, a proprietary virtual design and manufacturing technology for remotely accessible rapid prototyping labs, and a portfolio of curricula — including the Design Basis Analysis Tool (DBAT, co-developed with NAVSEA and NAVAIR), Design Thinking for Additive Manufacturing (DTAM), printer operation, and reverse engineering — ranging from 4 hours to 2 weeks in duration.

AST2 generates revenue through two streams: professional services (digital manufacturing deployments, training delivery, curriculum licensing) and hardware sales, primarily as an authorized reseller of Artec 3D scanners and as an integrator of 3DEFLS systems. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; contracts flow through GSA Schedule 36 as multi-year federal awards. In 2017, AST2 divested its in-house 3D printer development program to Vista AST after deploying over 200 printers, refocusing the business on services, training, and third-party hardware integration rather than capital-intensive hardware manufacturing.

Name

Applied Systems & Technology Transfer

Legal name

Applied Systems & Technology Transfer

Website

https://ast2.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AST2 is a privately held small business providing digital manufacturing, Fab Lab deployment, and additive manufacturing training to U.S. Department of Defense agencies via GSA Schedule 36, with products including the 3DEFLS portable field system and STORM virtual prototyping technology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Manufacturing & Additive Manufacturing Training Services

NAICS

Industrial Design Services (54142), Other Specialized Design Services (54149)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMAAAJAC

Professional Training & Workforce Upskilling (AM)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing R&D, Training & Certification

SECONDARYIMAAAFAN

Prototype Metrology, Inspection & Reverse Engineering (Prototype-Focused)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/3D Printing/Rapid Prototyping & Product Development (Additive)

SECONDARYIMAAAJAL

Conferences, Workshops & Industry Events (AM Knowledge Sharing)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing R&D, Training & Certification

SECONDARYIMAAAHAE

Scan-to-CAD & Reverse Engineering Software

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/3D Printing/3D Scanning & Metrology for Additive Manufacturing

Keywords

• Digital manufacturing services
• 3D printing training
• Fab Lab deployment
• Additive manufacturing
• Workforce development curricula

Headquarters

HQ city

Youngstown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Digital Manufacturing Services: Design and deployment of fixed and transportable digital manufacturing labs for defense agencies, including Fab Labs on ships, transportable Fab Labs, and Marine Corps Fab Labs
2. Training and Workforce Development: Curriculum-based training programs ranging from 4 hours to 2 weeks, including CAD/CAM, 3D printing, 3D scanning, and hands-on equipment training. Offered via GSA Schedule.
3. Artec 3D Scanner Resale: Authorized reseller of full range of Artec 3D scanners and software. Principal customers are Department of Defense agencies.
4. 3D Equipment Packages: Sale of packaged 3D Equipment for Field Logistics Support (3DEFLS) systems including 3D printers, scanners, software, and workstations

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

AST2 designs, builds, and deploys digital manufacturing and Fab Lab solutions (fixed, transportable, ship-based, and Marine Corps variants) and provides curriculum-based 3D printing, CAD/CAM, and additive manufacturing training (4 hours to 2 weeks) for U.S. federal defense and government customers via GSA Schedule 36. The company also develops proprietary technologies (STORM virtual manufacturing, 3DEFLS field-deployable system, DBAT and DTAM curricula developed with NAVSEA and NAVAIR) and resells Artec 3D scanners.

Product overview

AST2 provides a portfolio of digital manufacturing and workforce training solutions centered on distributed digital manufacturing (DDM), 3D printing, and Fab Labs for defense and government customers. Core offerings include the 3D Equipment for Field Logistics Support (3DEFLS)—a portable, field-deployable system integrating LulzBot 3D printers, Artec 3D scanners, and CAD software (SolidWorks, Autodesk Fusion, Geomagic)—alongside fixed, transportable, and ship-based Fab Labs. AST2 also offers structured training curricula covering printer operation, Design Thinking for Additive Manufacturing (DTAM), the Design Basis Analysis Tool (DBAT), and reverse engineering, all delivered through GSA Schedule. As an authorized Artec 3D reseller, AST2 integrates their scanners across all product lines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 3D Equipment for Field Logistics Support (3DEFLS) Packaged portable 3D printing and scanning system comprising a LulzBot Taz 6 3D printer, CAD software (SolidWorks, Autodesk Fusion, or Geomagic), an Artec 3D scanner (Space Spider or Eva), and a workstation, all housed in a rugged Pelican case that can be set up in 15 minutes under field conditions. Built for DoD and federal customers needing rapid prototyping in deployed environments.
• Artec 3D Scanners (Authorized Resale) AST2 resells the full range of Artec 3D scanners including Micro (desktop automated, 10-micron accuracy), Space Spider (handheld high-precision), Eva (handheld medium-size), Leo (tetherless with built-in display), and Ray (long-range laser). Primary customers are DoD agencies using these scanners for innovation, rapid prototyping, and reverse engineering in support of national defense.
• Transportable Fab Labs Mobile digital fabrication laboratories equipped with 3D printers, CNC mills, laser cutters, vacuum formers, vinyl printer/cutters, design workstations, and virtual presence technology. Intended for training and digital manufacturing use by federal and defense customers.
• Fixed Fab Labs Full-service stationary Fab Labs established at military installations (e.g., Patuxent River), modeled after MIT Fab Labs, providing comprehensive digital manufacturing capabilities for federal defense customers.
• Fab Labs on Ships Mini Fab Labs deployed on naval vessels (USS Kearsarge and USS Truman) consisting of a 3D printer, CNC mill, and design station, enabling sailors to design and produce parts during deployment; tied to the ODU Fleet Maker program.
• Marine Corps Fab Labs Fab Lab facilities and prototyping equipment provided to Marine Corps bases including Camp Pendleton, Quantico, Camp Lejeune, 29 Palms, and Kuwait, with 3D printers, CNC mills, and other manufacturing equipment for in-theater sustainment and rapid prototyping.
• Training and Workforce Development Programs Curriculum-based workforce development programs ranging from 4 hours to 2 weeks, integrating design, engineering, and additive manufacturing training using 3D printers, Artec scanners, and software including SolidWorks, Fusion, and Geomagic. Delivered to federal/defense and educational customers via GSA Schedule 36.
• Printer Curriculum Introduction to additive manufacturing curriculum covering AM history, operation, and maintenance of polymer printers; 2-5 days duration, customizable, offered via GSA Schedule.
• Design Thinking for Additive Manufacturing (DTAM) Workshop Workshop training on distinguishing good from poor designs and improving designs through group exercises; developed under the DARPA MENTOR program and co-developed with NAVSEA and NAVAIR.
• Design Basis Analysis Tool (DBAT) Systematic design methodology developed in collaboration with NAVSEA and NAVAIR for documenting requirements, developing alternative design solutions, conducting quantitative analysis of alternatives, selecting a preferred solution, and producing peer-review documentation.
• Reverse Engineering Curriculum Training on reverse engineering processes using 3D scanners, including hands-on team projects; part of AST2's workforce development offerings.
• Hands-on Equipment Training Hands-on training on CNC mills, CNC routers, laser cutters, and 3D scanners delivered as part of AST2's workforce development program.
• STEM for Problem Solving Informal STEM learning programs covering biomimicry, asteroid threats, human body repair, world energy, and robotics for high school students and junior military personnel, part of AST2's educational programs.
• Virtual Design and Manufacturing Technology (STORM) Virtual design and manufacturing technology developed by AST2 for establishing virtually accessible rapid prototyping laboratories, used in AST2's Fab Lab deployments and STEM programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3D printers produced and deployed: over 200
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Artec 3DcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAST2 is an authorized reseller for the full range of Artec 3D scanners and software. Their principal customers (Department of Defense agencies) use Artec scanners for innovation, rapid prototyping and reverse engineering to support national defense requirements. AST2 has integrated Artec scanners into their 3DEFLS products and training curricula.
• GSA (General Services Administration)coreOthersAST2 operates under GSA Schedule 36, enabling government customers to procure their training programs, curricula, and services through established government contracting channels.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Fab Foundation: Fab Foundation is the non-profit that operates the global Fab Lab network originated at MIT, including the Fab Lab concept AST2 implements for DoD. AST2's fixed, transportable, and shipboard Fab Labs are direct extensions of the Fab Foundation model, making it the closest conceptual peer.
• Vista AST: Vista AST acquired AST2's 3D printer program in 2017 and now manufactures the printers AST2 previously produced and deployed on naval vessels and Marine Corps bases. Operates as both a peer and a hardware supplier to AST2's ongoing training and Fab Lab programs.
• America Makes: America Makes is the national accelerator for additive manufacturing, public-private partnership led by NIST. AST2 is listed as a customer/partner; both organizations focus on advancing U.S. AM adoption, workforce development, and DoD-aligned innovation programs.
• Phillips Corporation: Phillips Corporation is a major U.S. government-focused reseller and integrator of 3D printing, additive manufacturing, and digital manufacturing hardware for DoD. Like AST2, it operates with federal procurement channels (GSA) and supports DoD sustainment and training use cases.

Emerging players

• Markforged: Markforged manufactures industrial 3D printers (metal and composite) with deep defense and federal customer penetration, overlapping with AST2's DoD buyer base and field-deployable use cases. Competes indirectly via the printer hardware that AST2 previously manufactured and now sources.
• Formlabs: Formlabs makes professional desktop SLA and SLS 3D printers widely adopted in education, dental, and engineering settings. Overlaps with AST2's training, education (100+ schools), and Fab Lab deployments using compact polymer printers, though it does not specialize in defense.

Broad incumbents

• Stratasys: Stratasys is a global incumbent in polymer additive manufacturing with significant U.S. defense and aerospace exposure. Its printers and training services overlap with AST2's curriculum and 3DEFLS offerings, but as part of a much broader commercial portfolio.
• 3D Systems: 3D Systems is a broad industrial 3D printing incumbent offering printers, materials, software, and on-demand services to aerospace and defense customers. AST2's training, scanning integration, and Fab Lab deployments are adjacent to 3D Systems' defense workforce and parts-on-demand offerings.
• EOS GmbH: EOS is a leading industrial polymer and metal additive manufacturing systems provider serving aerospace and defense. Its equipment, materials, and training programs overlap with AST2's curriculum and digital manufacturing deployment offerings for DoD.
• Materialise: Materialise provides industrial 3D printing services, software, and solutions with established aerospace/defense customers. Comparable to AST2 in offering design-for-AM, scanning/reverse engineering, and on-demand part services to defense and government end markets.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Applied Systems & Technology Transfer