Russian researchers develop 3D printer that changes print heads automatically
In short
Specialists and students at RTU MIREA in Moscow have developed a modular 3D printer that changes its print heads automatically, with the university's press service confirming the work to TASS. The system uses two print heads and a carriage with a magnetic mount to swap components without manual reconfiguration. Alexander Lim, a senior lecturer at the university, said no analogues of the device existed as of 5 October 2026; the developers say it is aimed at small production facilities and teaching laboratories.
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Specialists and students at RTU MIREA — named by CNews as the Moscow Institute of Radio Engineering, Electronics and Automation — have developed a modular 3D printer that changes its print heads automatically, according to the university's press service, which spoke to TASS. TASS reported the creation of the printer, describing a system made up of two print heads and a carriage with a magnetic mount that handles the swap of one component for another. CNews likewise reported the development and dated the work to October 2026. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Alexander Lim, a senior lecturer at the department of digital and additive technologies at RTU MIREA, said no analogues of the development existed as of 5 October 2026, CNews reported; iXBT carried the same claim. The head-changing mechanism allows the printer to move from one material to another without manually reconfiguring the equipment, and the device can select and install the required head during operation, iXBT reported. [ 2 , 3 ]
The printer has a build area of 300×300×250 mm and a maximum stated print speed of 700 mm/s, according to CNews and iXBT. CNews listed the materials it is designed to work with as PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU and HIPS; iXBT said the choice of material allows the properties of the finished part to be adapted, for example for greater rigidity, impact resistance or elasticity. [ 2 , 3 ]
The device was created by students Nikita Kochetov, Veronika Ermolaeva and Daniil Kotov together with the department, within a project called “Startup as a diploma,” CNews and iXBT reported. Project participants told TASS, as cited by CNews, that the modular system makes configuration changes easy, reduces costs and makes the technology accessible to small production facilities and teaching laboratories. iXBT said the developers expect the approach to be in demand at small manufacturers, research centres and teaching laboratories, where buying several specialised printers for different materials or tasks may be economically disadvantageous. [ 2 , 3 ]
The developers plan to equip the printer with an automated quality-control system that would monitor printing in real time and detect defects, stopping or correcting the process at an early stage, iXBT reported. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The developers position the printer for small production facilities, research centres and teaching laboratories, where buying several specialised machines for different materials may not be economical. They also plan to add an automated quality-control system, which could widen the range of tasks the machine can handle; the documents give no date for commercial availability or production.
Key facts
- Specialists and students at RTU MIREA developed a modular 3D printer with automatic print-head changing. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The system consists of two print heads and a carriage with a magnetic mount that swaps one component for another. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The build area is 300×300×250 mm and the maximum stated print speed is 700 mm/s. [ 2 , 3 ]
- RTU MIREA senior lecturer Alexander Lim said no analogues of the development existed as of 5 October 2026. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The device is designed to work with PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU and HIPS plastics, CNews reported. [ 2 ]
- The printer was created by students Nikita Kochetov, Veronika Ermolaeva and Daniil Kotov within a project called “Startup as a diploma.” [ 2 , 3 ]
- The developers plan to add an automated quality-control system that would monitor printing in real time and detect defects. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- A modular 3D printer with automatic print-head changing has been developed at RTU MIREA in Russia. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The system comprises two print heads and a carriage with a magnetic mount that changes one component for another. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- RTU MIREA senior lecturer Alexander Lim said no analogues of the development existed as of 5 October 2026. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The printer has a build area of 300×300×250 mm and a maximum stated print speed of 700 mm/s. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The device was created by students Nikita Kochetov, Veronika Ermolaeva and Daniil Kotov with the department of digital and additive technologies. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the printer is the first of its kind in the world. The claim is attributed to RTU MIREA's Alexander Lim and the developers; the documents give no independent confirmation.
- Which plastics the printer works with. Only CNews lists PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU and HIPS; iXBT does not name any materials.
- The planned automated quality-control system. Reported only by iXBT, with no details on timing or readiness.
- When the printer might be produced or sold. None of the documents states a production or commercial timeline.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reports that a 3D printer with automatic print-head changing has been created in Russia. [ 1 ]
- CNews publishes a detailed report naming RTU MIREA as the developer and quoting Alexander Lim on the absence of analogues as of 5 October 2026. [ 2 ]
- iXBT reports the same development, citing the university press service and noting plans for an automated quality-control system. [ 3 ]