Bondtech INDX and the next step in 3D-printers

Several years back (until about 2018) was much focused on the RepRap inspired 3D-printing space. Figured out how to use compound curves to make lightweight single-wall structures. Did a baseline empiric measure of heat-curing PLA on a lightweight single-wall structure. Posted to the Google+ 3D-printing group ... that is long gone.

Was a lot of fun, finding what could be done with printed plastic. In some respects, surprising.

When consumed with work, ignored this diversion. One working 3D-printer in my house at present. :/

Playing with 3D-prints, again. What to resurrect? What to upgrade/replace?

Muddled though the choices for multi-color/material prints, and then ran across Bondtech's INDX. This is the right factoring! You want one hotend for each filament.

The Voron wiki has a good overview of Multi-Material Units.

One approach is to multiplex different filaments through the same hot-end. This has the advantage of working with existing 3D printers (mostly). Turns out this can work, but is slow and troublesome. Takes time to unload/load filament, and the once-melted end is trouble.

Another approach uses entirely separate paths for each filament. This works well, but is expensive as you need a distinct hot-end and extruder for each path.

The Bondtech folk have the right factoring of the problem. They split the print-head so each filament has an un-shared filament path with hotend (so no filament unload/load). The hotend uses fast/efficient induction-heating, so less-used filaments do not "cook", or require (much) time to heat. (This should also allow faster printing, eventually.) There is a single extruder (and sensors), which reduces cost.

Looking for what Bondtech expects to have in 11/2025 (as announced). Have a good chance of making the Chinese outfits less relevant.

In the present, the Chinese manufacturers have done much to make 3D additive plastic printers both cheaper/easier to use, and encumbered with more proprietary capture. Not underrating their progress, but not a fan of their technologic cul-de-sac. BambuLabs folk made a less-interesting announcement, shortly after BondTech went public. Bet they see a threat, as they are going to incur more cost to match. (Which is the cost of going proprietary.)

Can wait a bit before upgrading my gear. :)

Keep an eye on Bondtech and INDX.