Category: 3D Printers
-
Formlabs Fuse X1: The Most Affordable Industrial SLS 3D Printer
Five years after introducing the original Fuse platform, Formlabs has unveiled the machine many manufacturers have been waiting for. The new Fuse X1 is far more than a larger version of the Fuse 1. It represents a complete industrial selective laser sintering (SLS) ecosystem designed to compete directly with traditional six-figure systems from established industry leaders. With…
-
How 3D Printing is Transforming Drone Manufacturing
For decades, drone development followed a slow and costly process. Engineers designed a component, sent it to a machine shop or tooling vendor, waited weeks for production, tested the result, and then repeated the cycle whenever changes were needed. Today, additive manufacturing is fundamentally changing that workflow. The Traditional Drone Development Bottleneck Historically, creating new…
-
How 3D Printed Drones Are Reshaping Modern Manufacturing and Warfare
For more than a century, military manufacturing followed the same blueprint: giant factories, centralized supply chains, specialized tooling, and production cycles measured in years. That model is now being disrupted by something radically different. Desktop 3D printed drones. The Rise of the Decentralized Military Factory Across Ukraine, thousands of consumer-grade 3D printers are operating continuously…
-
Scaling 3D Printing in Defense: From a 75-Cent Part to a $2.6 Billion Strategy
The 75-Cent Breakthrough That Changed Defense Manufacturing A single 3D printed component for an F-35 fighter jet, costing just $0.75, replaced what would have required a $70,000 assembly. The part was designed, approved, and installed in days, getting the aircraft back in operation almost immediately. This moment highlights a powerful truth: additive manufacturing is no…
-
Stratasys 3D Printing Alternatives: Breaking Free from Proprietary Ecosystems
Why engineers and manufacturers are rethinking industrial 3D Printing FDM workflows and embracing open-material platforms. The $15,000 Question: Who Is Industrial 3D Printing Really Built For? Engineers are trained to optimize performance, validate geometry, and select the right materials for the job. Yet, when it comes to industrial 3D printing, many are forced into rigid…
-
Complete 22 IDEX v4 3D Printer Setup Guide: From Power-On to First Successful Print
Getting a high-performance 3D printer up and running can feel complex, but with the right workflow, you can go from unboxing the 22 IDEX v4 to a finished part quickly and confidently. This guide walks through the full process: network setup, firmware updates, calibration, slicer configuration, and executing your first high-temperature print. Start with the…
-
Formlabs Cure L V2 Unboxing & First Look: Features, Speed Improvements, and What’s New
The latest evolution in post-processing from Formlabs, the Cure L V2, is designed to eliminate one of the biggest bottlenecks in modern resin 3D printing workflows. Built specifically for the newer MSLA-based Form 4 and Form 4L printers, this upgraded curing system delivers dramatically faster results, improved mechanical properties, and a more efficient production footprint.…
-
How to Unbox and Set Up the IDEX v4 Industrial 3D Printer (Full Guide)
A step-by-step walk-through of the new 22 IDEX v4 from delivery inspection to first power-up. Receiving Your 22 IDEX V4 Industrial 3D Printer When your 22 IDEX V4 arrives, the first step is a careful inspection of the shipping crate before unboxing. These industrial printers ship worldwide and most arrive without issue, but transit conditions…
-
3D Printed Products in Industry: Practical Innovation, Customization, and What Comes Next
3D printing has quietly crossed a threshold. 3D Printed Products what once felt experimental is now showing up everywhere from coffee shops and holiday markets to engine bays, dashboards, and industrial production floors. Additive manufacturing is no longer just a prototyping tool; it’s becoming a legitimate way to design, produce, and sell real-world products. The…
-
Additive Manufacturing in 2026: From Novelty to Production Reality
Additive manufacturing has officially crossed a threshold. As we move into 2026, 3D printing is being judged by the same standards as traditional manufacturing. And that shift changes everything. The Additive Manufacturing Market Is Growing—But That’s Not the Real Story The global additive manufacturing market reached roughly $21.9 billion in 2024, with year-over-year growth hovering…
-
3D Printing a Helicopter AC Duct That Can’t Fail
A new helicopter AC Duct for what once carried missles. What sounds like a simple retrofit turned into a high-stakes aerospace engineering challenge that perfectly illustrates why additive manufacturing has changed what’s possible in aviation. The Engineering Constraint That Changed Everything The mission was clear: retrofit an air conditioning system onto a converted military helicopter.…
-
The Airplane Crash No One Should Ignore
Imagine your life depending on a piece of plastic with about the same heat resistance as a fast-food straw. That’s not a thought experiment—it’s exactly what happened when a single 3D printed component failed and caused an airplane crash on final approach. The Incident: Airplane Engine Failure at 500 Feet A highly experienced pilot, with…
-
Making It in America: SLS Parts for Our 22 IDEX High-Temp 3D Printer
Advanced 3D printing is changing how manufacturers build products in the United States. With the right combination of SLS, SLA, and FDM technologies, companies can now produce hyper-complex or simple functional components quickly, efficiently, and entirely in-house. This guide walks through the full workflow—from raw powder to finished parts—and showcases how American manufacturers are using…
-
The Origin Story of Vision Miner: Solving Real Problems in High-Temperature 3D Printing
How a drone manufacturer and a marketer teamed up to transform industrial additive manufacturing. From Drone Manufacturing to a New Frontier in Additive Production Vision Miner began in 2016 out of a real manufacturing challenge. High-end drones—costing upwards of six figures and carrying equally expensive payloads—required rapid prototyping that was faster and more flexible than…
-
Introducing the 22 IDEX v4 — Industrial High-Temperature 3D Printing, Reimagined
The latest evolution of the 22 IDEX platform pushes high-temperature additive manufacturing further than ever—delivering industrial rigidity, smarter automation, refined thermal engineering, and hardened extrusion performance at a price point businesses can actually scale. Built to Remove the Biggest Barrier: High-Temp Capability Without the High Cost The original V3 disrupted the industry by proving aerospace-grade…
-
22 IDEX v4: Built for Production, Not Tinkering
The 22 IDEX v4 wasn’t designed to be another “dream machine”—it was engineered to be the printer that real manufacturers, labs, and production teams actually need. It delivers high-temperature performance, industrial reliability, and scalability without locking you into proprietary systems or a six-figure cost. Designed for Production, Refined Through Real-World Use Now in its fourth generation,…
-
Is the 22 IDEX 3D Printer Worth the Investment?
The 22 IDEX isn’t just another 3D printer—it’s a workhorse designed for scalability, flexibility, and profitability. Here’s how businesses are using it to expand their product offerings, grow revenue, and streamline production. Rapid ROI: Covering Costs in Just Six Months One of the most compelling reasons businesses choose the 22 IDEX is return on investment.…
-
Best Professional 3D Printers for Businesses in 2025
Choosing the right 3D printer for your business in 2025 comes down to three key factors: materials, support, and the right machine for your application. Here’s what you need to know before making an investment. 1. Material Compatibility Matters Start with the problem you’re solving. If you just want to experiment, entry-level machines are fine.…
-
Caltech’s CASTx Laboratory: Rewriting the Rules of Aerospace Design
From Mars rovers to flying ambulances, additive manufacturing at Caltech’s CASTx is rewriting the rules of aerospace design. A New Frontier: 3D Printing for Planetary Infrastructure Imagine sending robots to Mars not just to explore, but to build. At Caltech’s CASTx Laboratory, that’s more than a vision—it’s an active research initiative. Engineers are leveraging advanced 3D…
-
Inside Caltech: 3D Printers Are Redefining Robotics and Aerospace
Take an inside look at the Caltech Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies (CAST), where precision engineering, AI robotics, and industrial 3D printing come together to prototype the future of exploration, mobility, and autonomy. Caltech CAST: Where Vision Becomes Technology Few places on Earth have the same pedigree in aerospace innovation as Caltech. Home to…