Bondtech INDX: Revolutionary 8-material system for ultra-fast multi-material 3D printing on the CORE One

Prusa introduces the INDX: Eight materials. No waste. Maximum speed.

Author: Carsten Hemmerling
Source: Prusa Research

How the INDX system makes multi-material 3D printing faster, cleaner, and more flexible

A new chapter for multi-material printing on the CORE One

When a product gives the impression at first glance that something fundamentally new has been created, then it's worth taking a closer look. That's exactly how we feel about the Bondtech INDX system – a completely new approach to multi-material 3D printing, exclusively on the CORE One .

The basic idea behind it is as simple as it is ingenious:
An intelligent tool head + passive, extremely affordable nozzle modules = ultra-fast, precise and virtually waste-free material change.

The fact that two European companies – Prusa Research and Bondtech – are working so closely on a solution that is not just evolutionary, but truly revolutionary , makes the whole thing even more exciting. If you'd like to see it live at Formnext , you can find them in Hall 12.1, Booth F01.

Why multi-material printing has always involved compromises

Whether MMU, AMS or hybrid nozzles – every multi-material solution brings with it typical problems:

• Filament swapping systems need to be unloaded, loaded and rinsed → slow and wasteful.
• Switchable dual nozzles only work efficiently as long as you stick to two materials.
• Tool changers like the one on the Prusa XL are extremely powerful, but also complex and expensive per tool head.

The gap was clear:
A true tool changer – but as compact and affordable as a filament changer.

This is exactly where INDX comes in.

A new architecture: Smart Head + Passive Tools

The Smart Head is the centerpiece – the only active component that moves across the gantry. It contains:

• the induction heater (IN)
• the Dynamic eXtruder (DX) system
• all sensors and electronics

The actual tools, however, are passive modules – simple, robust units without cables, electronics, or heating cartridges. A filament channel and a specially developed, virtually weightless nozzle – that's all that's needed.

The advantage?
Scalability.
An eighth tool is hardly more expensive than a second one.

Induction heating: The nozzle without a hotend

The “IN” in INDX stands for something we have never seen before in 3D printing:

Wireless, non-contact induction heating of the nozzle.

A coil in the Smart Head generates a high-frequency magnetic field as soon as it picks up a tool. The effect:

• The nozzle is brought up to temperature in seconds .
• The thermal mass is extremely low → virtually no dripping in the parking slot.
• Cooling is just as fast as heating.

This virtually eliminates a classic weakness of multi-material printing.

Dynamic eXtruder: An extruder that adjusts itself.

The “DX” brings another game-changer:

A self-regulating extruder that dynamically adjusts its clamping force to the material.

PLA, nylon, CF composite, TPU – each type of filament behaves differently. Until now, you had to adjust the tension manually or make compromises.

The DX solves this mechanically via a reactive CAM mechanism:

• High counter-pressure → stronger grip
• Soft TPU → light pressure
• Low friction
• Maximum precision with every material

Even cleverer:
The same motor that extrudes opens the gears for tool changes and unlocks the passive module. One motor, three functions.

And how fast is that really?

The complete tool change includes:

• Save current tool
• Pick up new tool
• Activate induction heating
• reach temperature
• Continue printing

Duration: approximately 12 seconds.
No rinsing, no filament cutting, no preheating.

That means:
More colors. More materials. Less waiting time. Almost no waste.

Availability & Roadmap

The INDX will be released in two phases:

Phase 1 – Founders Edition
As an upgrade kit for the CORE One directly from Bondtech (Q1 2026).

Phase 2 – Prusa E-Shop Release
Shortly thereafter, it was also officially available from Prusa Research.

Until then, we will publish plenty of videos, comparisons, and real-world printing examples.

Stay tuned – this system could define multi-material printing for years to come.