This month, the 3D printing community has seen the announcement of four different tool-changing FDM printers. First was Snapmaker’s U1, a machine we received for review while still in beta testing. Then slipping under the radar was newcomer AtomForm with a 12-nozzle system and a desire to keep things low-key while it tested the waters. This week, Bambu Lab and Prusa Research made surprise announcements of their own.
Prusa Research didn’t invent the tool changer, but it certainly ignited a desire in the 3D printing community for a more efficient solution to color FDM printing. Announced in 2021, the Prusa XL is a beast of a machine that costs over $4,500 when fully loaded with all five tool heads and an enclosure. That’s quite a stretch for the hobby market, so the XL remained an elite machine for a more professional crowd.
