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Z-Temp

HardwareSan Diego, California, USAFounded 2015· One of 1708 Hardware companies tracked by AMPulse

Develops and manufactures industrial-grade 3D printers using proprietary high-temperature extrusion technology for engineering-grade thermoplastics like PEEK and PEI, enabling production of end-use parts with superior mechanical properties.

Team Size
11-50
Stage
Active
Total Funding
$8.5M
Latest Round
Series A
Key Investors
Material Impact; Lockheed Martin Ventures

Technology & Products

Key Products

Z-Temp 500 industrial 3D printer; High-temperature extrusion print heads; Proprietary filament materials (PEEK, PEI, ULTEM); Print management software

Technological Advantage

VERIFIED: Patented multi-zone heating system maintains ±2°C temperature stability across entire print volume (vs ±10°C for competitors), enabling consistent layer adhesion for high-performance thermoplastics. DEFENSIBLE through 5 utility patents.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Enables production of aerospace and medical components with 40% higher temperature resistance than standard FDM parts, reducing material waste by 30% and cutting lead times from weeks to days for complex geometries.

How They Differentiate

40% higher maximum print temperature (450°C vs 320°C for Stratasys F900) enabling true PEEK printing, with 2x faster print speeds for high-temperature materials and 30% lower material waste through proprietary nozzle design.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Aerospace OEMs, medical device manufacturers, and automotive companies requiring high-performance, end-use thermoplastic parts with superior thermal and mechanical properties.

Industry Verticals

Aerospace; Medical; Automotive; Industrial

Competitors

Stratasys F900; Intamsys Funmat HT; 3DGence INDUSTRY F420

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Revenue grew 150% YoY in 2023; Installed base of 75+ printers across 3 continents; 40+ enterprise customers

Major Milestones

2015: Founded; 2018: First patent granted; 2020: $3.2M Seed round; 2021: Lockheed Martin partnership announced; 2022: Z-Temp 500 commercial launch; 2023: $5.3M Series A

Notable Customers

Lockheed Martin (aerospace components); Stryker (medical device prototypes); Ford Motor Company (automotive tooling)

https://www.z-temp.com

Why this company matters

Z-Temp occupies a niche within polymer additive manufacturing focused on high-temperature extrusion for end-use parts. Its proprietary system reaches 450°C nozzle temperatures, 40% higher than typical industrial FDM machines, enabling reliable printing of PEEK, PEI, and ULTEM with consistent layer adhesion. The company's multi-zone heating maintains ±2°C stability across the build volume, compared to ±10°C for competitors, which improves mechanical properties in demanding applications.

The Z-Temp 500 printer targets aerospace OEMs, medical device manufacturers, and automotive tier-1s that require parts with superior thermal and chemical resistance. Named customers include Lockheed Martin for aerospace components, Stryker for medical device prototypes, and Ford Motor Company for automotive tooling. The company reports a 30% reduction in material waste and lead times compressed from weeks to days for complex geometries.

Z-Temp's technology moat rests on five utility patents covering nozzle design, thermal management, and material formulations. A joint development agreement with Lockheed Martin and a materials research partnership with UC San Diego support continued innovation. The company competes against Stratasys F900, Intamsys Funmat HT, and 3DGence INDUSTRY F420, but differentiates on print speed and temperature capability for true PEEK processing.

With $8.5M in total funding from Material Impact and Lockheed Martin Ventures, Z-Temp has grown revenue 150% year-over-year and installed over 75 printers across three continents. The open question is whether it can scale beyond its niche to challenge established industrial FDM players while maintaining its defensible IP position.