The Bondtech INDX Automatic Tool Changer is a state-of-the-art automatic tool change system designed exclusively for the Prusa Core One 3D printer. It was created in cooperation between the Swedish company Bondtech and Prusa Research and represents a completely new architecture for multi-material printing.
Instead of a classic toolchanger that moves entire heavy print heads, INDX uses the concept of a “Smart Head” and low-cost passive tools parked at the front of the printer. Thanks to this, the system is lighter, faster, more reliable, and more economical.
Key benefits of the INDX system
- Up to 8 tools / filaments at the same time – more colors, materials, and nozzles in a single print
- Fast automatic tool change – parking the old tool, picking up the new one, reheating and resuming the print in approx. 12 seconds (depending on material)
- Waste minimization – no long purging, no complex buffers or filament cutting
- Lightweight architecture – only the Smart Head with electronics, motor and extruder moves; tools are passive
- Lower cost of passive tools – no electronics, thermistors, or cables; easily expandable setup (e.g. from 4 to 8 tools)
- Optimization for the enclosed CoreXY Prusa Core One printer – maintained rigidity and accuracy at high speeds
- High ease of use – no external boxes, rewinding back into a buffer, or complex sequential control
How INDX works
1. Smart Head
The Smart Head is the only active component that moves along the printer’s X/Y axis. It contains all the more expensive and sophisticated components:
- induction heating (IN) of the nozzle
- sensors and necessary electronics
- Dynamic eXtruder (DX) with automatic belt tensioning
- precise control of temperature and motion
The Smart Head travels to the individual passive tools, mechanically latches them, heats the nozzle to operating temperature, and continues printing.
2. Passive tools
At the front of the printer there are parked passive tool modules, each connected to one filament spool.
- they do not contain electronics or thermistors
- they only have the mechanical part and a special nozzle
- they guide the filament from the spool to the Smart Head
This approach reduces complexity, weight, and cost, so expanding from 4 to 6 or 8 tools is very cost-effective.
Typical use cases
- Multicolor prints (logos, figurines, presentation models)
- Multi-material functional parts – combination of rigid and flexible materials (e.g. PLA/PETG + TPU)
- Supports from soluble material (PVA, BVOH) for complex technical parts
- Different nozzles in a single print – e.g. fine nozzle for details and a larger diameter for infill
- Material distribution according to function – strong core from PC/PA, shell from aesthetic PLA, etc.
Compatibility and installation
- Compatible printer model: Prusa Core One
- The system is designed as an upgrade kit. In the first phase (“Founders Edition”) it is available directly from Bondtech as an add-on for Core One, and will later be officially offered in the Prusa Research e-shop as well.
- Installation is intended for advanced users – it assumes working with the printer mechanics, calibration, and firmware / profile setup in PrusaSlicer.
Note: INDX is a newly introduced system (planned launch of the first kits in Q1 2026). Detailed manual, firmware, and print profiles are provided by Bondtech and Prusa Research continuously via updates.
Main benefits for Prusa Core One users
Higher productivity
- Fewer manual filament changes
- Possibility to print complex assemblies in a single job
- Suitable for small-batch production and custom printing
Better quality and reliability
- Stable temperature conditions thanks to the enclosed Core One chamber
- Minimal stringing and waste due to fast tool changes
- Precise seating and repeatability of the position of each tool
Flexibility and scalability
- You can start with a smaller number of tools and add more later
- Choice of different nozzles (e.g. wear-resistant for filled materials)
- Can be tailored to your specific workflow (visual models, functional parts, supports)
Box contents (typical upgrade kit configuration – approximate)
The exact contents may vary depending on the version (e.g. Founders Edition, standard kit), typically including:
- Smart Head (smart tool head) for Prusa Core One
- a set of passive tools (number according to the selected configuration, e.g. 4–8)
- appropriate mounts and parking mechanics for tools at the front of the printer
- assembly hardware (screws, brackets, mechanical parts)
- selected cables / connectors as required by the specific version
- a link / QR code to the online assembly guide and documentation
Always check the exact content specification for the specific kit variant.
Technical specifications
Warning: Official detailed tabular specifications of INDX kits will be gradually supplemented by the manufacturer. Below is a summary of the key parameters and properties that are publicly communicated.
| Parameter |
Value / Description |
| Purpose |
Automatic toolchanger (upgrade kit) for Prusa Core One |
| Architecture |
1× active Smart Head, up to 8× passive tool |
| Number of tools |
up to 8 (expandable architecture) |
| Tool change |
automatic; sequence of parking, moving, picking up, reheating and resuming the print |
| Approximate change time |
approx. 12 s (depending on material and settings) |
| Nozzle heating |
induction heating within the Smart Head |
| Extruder |
Dynamic eXtruder (DX) with automatic belt tensioning system |
| Tool type |
passive – without electronics, thermistors, and cabling |
| Tool mounting |
parking station at the front of the Core One chamber |
| Material support |
according to the capabilities of Prusa Core One (PLA, PETG, ASA/ABS, PC, PA, flexible materials, soluble supports, etc.) |
| Compatible printer |
Prusa Core One (enclosed CoreXY system) |
| Target user |
advanced hobby users, professional and corporate environments, contract print shops |
Key features:
- Automatic toolchanger for Prusa Core One developed in cooperation between Bondtech and Prusa Research
- Support for up to 8 tools / filaments in a single print for maximum flexibility
- Lightweight architecture – one Smart Head and low-cost passive tools
- Fast tool change in roughly 12 seconds with minimal material waste
- Induction nozzle heating and Dynamic eXtruder (DX) with automatic belt tensioning
- Ideal for multicolor, multi-material, and technical prints on the Prusa Core One printer
- Scalable system – option to start with a smaller number of tools and expand later
- Designed for demanding users, small production series, and professional 3D printing
