Sovol M1D Review: A 7-Color IDEX Toolchanger That Cuts Waste

Sovol's Answer to Bambu's AMS

Sovol is taking aim at single-nozzle multi-color systems with its new M1D printer. The machine uses an IDEX architecture with two independently moving extruders. One extruder stays fixed. The other swaps between six toolheads in about five seconds. That gives the M1D seven total printheads and the ability to change colors or materials without the long purge cycles that plague systems like Bambu's AMS.

The build volume measures 300 x 300 x 350 mm. Each nozzle can heat independently, so idle toolheads stay at temperature until they are needed. Sovol says this cuts material waste by over 90 percent compared to traditional purge-tower multi-color printing. The printer also supports duplication and mirror modes, letting users print two identical or symmetrical parts at once.

Open Source by Default

Sovol is releasing the M1D as an open-source platform. The company will publish its Klipper-based firmware configurations and provide full documentation. That is a different strategy from Bambu Lab, which keeps its ecosystem closed. Open source means the community can modify the printer, add new toolheads, or improve the slicer profiles without waiting for Sovol to approve changes.

The M1D ships with OrcaSlicer instead of a proprietary slicer. That choice reinforces the open-source positioning and gives users more control over print settings. Automated calibration uses electronic sensors to align the X, Y, and Z axes before each print. A 720p camera monitors the build plate for failures, and an eddy current sensor handles bed leveling without a physical probe that wears out.

Pricing and Availability

The M1D comes in two versions. The Essential model costs $1,299 at early bird pricing and does not include a heated enclosure. The Advanced model adds a 60-degree Celsius heated enclosure for $1,599. Both versions are available through a Kickstarter campaign that has already raised over $2.8 million. Shipping is expected to begin in November.

Sovol's track record with crowdfunded printers is solid. The company has delivered on past campaigns without the delays that plague many hardware startups. For buyers who want seven-color capability without purge waste, the M1D directly challenges Bambu's AMS system with a fundamentally different approach.