Sovol M1D Combines IDEX Printing With Fast Tool Swaps

Sovol's M1D tries to solve multi-material printing without the headache

Sovol's latest 3D printer, the M1D, takes a different swing at the multi-material problem. Instead of asking you to buy a dedicated tool-changing system, it ships with seven toolheads that swap in about five seconds. One of those heads is fixed and always active; the other six click into place as needed.

The build volume is 300 x 300 x 350 mm, which is generous for a machine at this price point. The fixed dual-extruder setup means you can run two materials simultaneously without swapping, while the swappable heads extend that to seven colors or material types. That opens up soluble supports, rigid-flex prints, and multi-color models without the purging marathon that older multi-extruder systems required.

Sovol launched the M1D on Kickstarter, and the campaign has already cleared $2.8 million, far beyond its initial $191,254 target. Early backers are essentially getting an open-source IDEX machine with automatic toolhead alignment and a heated enclosed chamber in the Advanced version. That enclosure unlocks high-temperature materials like ASA, PA, and PC.

The catch, as always with crowdfunding printers, is delivery timing and software maturity. The open-source firmware is a plus, but tool-changing mechanisms are notoriously finicky to get right across different filaments. Sovol claims automatic alignment detection keeps things precise, but real-world testing will tell us whether the five-second swap time holds up with cold nozzles or abrasive materials.

If Sovol delivers, the M1D is a compelling alternative to pricier IDEX systems. It directly challenges Bambu Lab's X2C in the multi-material segment, though Sovol's open-source approach and lower expected street price may appeal more to tinkerers.