Modix Upgrades Large-Format Printers with Fifth-Gen Electronics

Upgrading the Printer You Already Bought

Modix has launched the fifth generation of its large-format 3D printer platform, and the central message is that existing owners do not need a new machine to get new capabilities. The upgrade centers on a Duet 3 electronics architecture with CANBUS distributed electronics. Motor drivers, I/O modules, sensors, and toolboards can be added throughout the printer, supporting more than 20 axes and drivers without redesigning the main controller.

The BIG series spans six models from the BIG-60 up to the two-meter-tall Everest. All of them support independent dual extrusion, high-flow filament printing, and multiple print-head configurations. Generation 5 machines ordered through the summer are already shipping, and Modix is applying a minor price update across the base models.

New Capabilities on the Horizon

Three add-ons are planned for Formnext 2026 in Frankfurt. The Bondtech INDX automatic tool changer brings multi-material and multi-color printing to large-format machines. The compact pellet extruder extends Modix's dual-technology strategy onto one platform: pellets for throughput and low raw-material cost, filament for detail. The 45-degree printing system tilts the print head to reduce support material on large hollow parts, saving kilograms of plastic and hours of post-processing.

Generation 5 also includes an integrated accelerometer for automated calibration, Ethernet as standard with removable Wi-Fi for cybersecurity-sensitive sites, a new touchscreen interface, and reliability updates drawn from customer feedback.

A Different Upgrade Model

Most 3D printer manufacturers ask customers to buy a new frame every time a meaningful improvement arrives. Modix is pushing back against that cycle. The company frames Generation 5 as a modular electronics refresh: new capabilities ship as upgrades whenever technically possible, and the controller carries spare capacity for future accessories.

For shops running one-meter-plus machines on tight margins, that approach matters. A tool changer or pellet extruder that bolts onto an existing frame is a much smaller capital decision than replacing the entire platform. If Modix delivers on that promise, it sets a standard that other large-format builders will have to match.