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 polymers didn’t require a $100,000 machine. Now, after thousands of hours of real-world field use, the V4 takes that foundation and elevates it with a fully welded exoskeleton frame, thermally insulated steel walls, dual-wall IR-reflective construction, and rugged features designed for deployment anywhere—even in defense, aerospace, or remote industrial environments.
Military-grade transport feet, bolt-down mounting points, and lockable access panels reinforce rigidity and safety, eliminating vibration, frame shift, and thermal expansion that typically undermine dimensional accuracy.
Refined Motion Architecture for Higher Throughput and Long-Term Precision
The quad-motor XY gantry and triple-motor Z system already made the V3 precise and self-squaring. The V4 enhances this with:
- Four externalized XY motors to preserve torque and extend motor lifespan
- Dynamic drivers supporting up to 500 mm/s travel and 15,000 mm/s² acceleration
- Auto belt tensioning for hands-off maintenance
The result: dramatically increased throughput without sacrificing accuracy during long high-temp builds.
Advanced Thermal Engineering for Stronger, More Isotropic Parts
The V3 was already known for its actively heated 100°C chamber and 200°C bed. The V4 upgrades this system through:
- A three-layer infrared-reflective insulation architecture
- Dual-pane front window
- Improved convection and thermal monitoring systems
This IR-reflective interior doesn’t just retain heat—it pushes thermal energy back into the part, functioning like an in-chamber annealing process. Expect tighter dimensional stability, reduced warping, and superior interlayer bonding—especially with polymers like PEEK, PEI/ULTEM, PPSU, PC, and advanced composites.
Hardened Extrusion for Composites & High-Performance Polymers
The V3 introduced dual independent 500°C toolheads equipped with Bondtech LGX Pro extrusion and Slice Engineering Copperhead hotends. The V4 strengthens this system with:
- Standard 500°C hardened-steel nozzles, ready for abrasive composites
- Fully independent IDEX heads for duplicate, mirror, and multi-material production
- Reinforced components optimized for harsh production environments
From PEEK to carbon-fiber nylon, the V4 provides full open-materials flexibility with industrial-ready durability.
Smarter Automation & Full-Axis Calibration on the 22 IDEX
Automation was already a strong point on the V3, but the V4 pushes it further with a fully integrated one-command calibration routine:
- Triple-Z self-leveling to physically align the bed
- Dynamic mesh leveling for surface micro-correction
- All-axis auto-squaring for geometric orthogonality
- Automated dual-head alignment with no calibration prints required
- Auto belt tensioning to eliminate a major maintenance variable
This dramatically reduces operator skill requirements and minimizes downtime across production environments.
22 IDEX’s Integrated Filtration, Air Quality Control & Full Safety Suite
The V4 adds built-in high-temperature HEPA and activated carbon filtration—reducing facility integration costs while maintaining support for external venting. Safety features include:
- Thermal cutoff protections
- Fire safety mechanisms
- Locking access doors
- Thermal runaway prevention
These enhancements help satisfy strict lab, aerospace, and defense compliance requirements right out of the box.
Next-Level Material Handling for Hygroscopic & Engineering Polymers
The V4 evolves the V3’s chamber-based drying system with:
- Dedicated active filament drying
- Improved spool holders engineered to prevent tangling
- Taller lid options for larger or brittle filament spools
- Runout detection with auto-resume
This ensures consistent performance with moisture-sensitive materials like nylon, PC, and PEI.
Refined IDEX Production for R&D, Prototyping & Manufacturing
The V4 enhances IDEX functionality with:
- Side-by-side material validation workflows
- Improved soluble support strategies
- Future-ready non-planar printing support via firmware update
This positions the V4 as a versatile platform for both engineering R&D and scaled production environments.
Modernized Software, Connectivity & ITAR-Ready Architecture
Powered by Duet 3 and RepRap firmware, the V4 incorporates:
- A redesigned web interface
- An onboard touchscreen
- Guided tuning for materials and process presets
- A removable ITAR-compliant networking module
It maintains open slicing flexibility while adding compliance features crucial for aerospace and defense users.
Build Volume & Core Specifications
- Build Volume: 350 × 350 × 450 mm (≈55 L)
- Nozzle Temperature: 500°C (both heads)
- Bed Temperature: 200°C
- Chamber Temperature: 100°C
- Weight: ~75 kg / 200 lb
- Power: 110V, 20A
Real-World Applications & Who the V4 Is Built For
The V3 earned its place in aerospace R&D labs, defense environments, universities, and small-to-mid-size businesses producing end-use parts. The V4 expands those applications with stronger compliance, better repeatability, and hardened construction—ideal for:
- Aerospace and spaceflight component development
- Defense prototyping and field-deployable manufacturing
- Research institutions and materials labs
- SMBs scaling high-performance production
- Industrial users requiring ruggedized, open-material systems
The V3 proved high-temperature IDEX printing didn’t require a six-figure investment. The V4 completes that vision with refined mechanics, smarter automation, advanced thermal engineering, and integrated safety—all without the industrial-system price tag.
The 22 IDEX V4: Industrial Capability Without the Industrial Cost.