COSTA MESA, CA, June 2, 2025 – Vision Miner has released its 22 IDEX Industrial High-Temperature 3D Printer to the general market at a price point of USD 14,900. Designed for high-performance materials such as PEEK, ULTEM, and carbon-fiber composites, the printer targets industrial users who require thermal management and mechanical integrity in their parts. The system features independent dual extrusion (IDEX) capabilities to support multi-material workflows and complex geometries. The launch aligns with Vision Miner’s reported profitability and measured growth, as the company continues to focus on high-temperature additive manufacturing. The 22 IDEX is built for specialized applications, making it suitable for teams handling high-performance thermoplastics.
Over the past eight and a half years, Vision Miner has maintained profitability without taking on debt – a rarity in a sector marked by financial instability. This stable position enables Vision Miner to develop products without financial constraints, as demonstrated by the launch of the 22 IDEX high-temperature industrial 3D printer. It is engineered to support industrial users seeking consistent performance with high-temperature materials, also addressing cost and operational efficiency. The system targets users integrating additive manufacturing into production without sacrificing material performance or reliability.
“In a period of 3D printing market consolidation and economic headwinds, Vision Miner’s consistent, debt-free expansion highlights our commitment to long-term stability and customer-focused innovation,” stated Patrick Smith, CEO of Vision Miner.
“The 22 IDEX high-temperature FDM printer is a testament to this. We’ve developed an industrial 3D printer that excels in printing engineering-grade polymers and fiber-reinforced composites, making previously cost-prohibitive advanced manufacturing solutions accessible to a broader spectrum of industries, including aerospace, automotive, and medical device manufacturing.”
After acquiring AddWise, Vision Miner updated its factory with automated conveyor systems, improved workflows, and added quality-control checkpoints. These updates made operations efficient and increased production. In the six months since AddWise joined Vision Miner, the 22 IDEX printer moved from small-scale releases to industrial production. Finished 22 IDEX V3 printers are kept in stock, with delivery times of a few days, and monthly production has doubled compared to early predictions.
While competitors announced price increases in response to the latest Section 301 tariff hikes, Vision Miner held its USD 14,900 price point – a direct dividend of the lower cost structure achieved through automation and supply-chain consolidation. “Integrating AddWise was pivotal: it gave us the capacity and cost discipline to keep industrial AM accessible at a time when others are retreating behind price walls,” added Smith.
The Vision Miner 22 IDEX is packed with features critical for demanding industrial applications and on-demand manufacturing:
- Independent Dual Extruder (IDEX) System: Optimizes multi-material printing and complex geometries using soluble supports, enhancing throughput for rapid prototyping and end-use part production.
- High-Temperature Ecosystem: Robust 500 °C all-metal extruders (in collaboration with Slice Engineering and Bondtech), a 100 °C actively heated build chamber, and a 200 °C self-leveling build platform ensure consistent high-performance polymer printing.
- Versatile Material Capability: Engineered to reliably print PEEK, PEKK, PEI (ULTEM), PPSU, advanced nylons (PA6, PA12), polycarbonate (PC), and carbon- or glass-fiber composites from suppliers like 3DXTech.
- Large Build Volume: A 350 × 350 × 450 mm envelope accommodates large functional prototypes, manufacturing aids, jigs, fixtures, and low-volume production parts.
The 22 IDEX’s performance and value are leveraged by demanding users across U.S. defense, aerospace, and research sectors. Organizations such as the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division; Naval Undersea Warfare Center; Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific; U.S. Air Force; NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center; Sandia National Laboratories; the FAA; Los Alamos National Laboratory; Idaho National Laboratory; various U.S. Army divisions (including Devcom CBC Advanced Design & Manufacturing, CSM&S Machinist Lansing, and USA Electronic Proving Ground Fort Huachuca and Fort Bragg); Lockheed Martin Aeronautics – Skunk Works; and PC Krause & Associates are among those adopting Vision Miner’s FDM technology.
The 22 IDEX industrial FDM solution addresses demand for affordable and quality driven 3D printing in professional settings. While many high-temperature systems that print PEEK and ULTEM start at $40,000 and can exceed $150,000, Vision Miner’s 22 IDEX is priced at $14,900. This makes it possible for small businesses, research labs, and engineering firms to work with high-strength, heat-resistant, and chemical-resistant polymers.
“Our vision for the 22 IDEX is to be a catalyst for innovation across manufacturing sectors,” added Smith.
“By providing an affordable high-temperature 3D printer that delivers precision and reliability for end-use parts and critical tooling, we enable companies to enhance agility, reduce lead times, and explore new frontiers in AM material science.”
Vision Miner’s progress and the introduction of the 22 IDEX mark a vital step for the AM industry. These achievements provide models for stability, value, and advanced technology.
Source: Vision Miner
About Vision Miner
Vision Miner, established in 2017 and headquartered in Costa Mesa, CA, develops and supplies high-temperature 3D printing systems and materials for advanced thermoplastics, including PEEK, ULTEM™, PPSU, and carbon-fiber composites. The company provides hardware, consumables, and part production services for functional prototyping and low-volume manufacturing. Its products are used in sectors such as aerospace, defense, automotive, and energy, where heat resistance and mechanical durability are critical. Vision Miner serves both commercial and government customers with specific performance requirements. In 2024, it acquired AddWise for $14 million to enhance its manufacturing capabilities and expand global operations. The company operates with a small team of around 18 employees and reports an annual revenue of approximately $4.2 million. It has reported consistent growth, including a 120% year-over-year revenue increase. Vision Miner focuses on improving process reliability, supporting high-performance materials, and enabling component production in applications requiring precision and thermal resilience.