FlashForge and ELEGOO patent systems for automatic nozzle change in FFF 3D printing
Two Chinese manufacturers have filed patent applications for solutions that allow alternating multiple print heads or nozzles during printing, reducing the mass carried by the carriage and opening new possibilities for multicolor and multimaterial production.
- FlashForge patents a system with interchangeable print heads on a movable rack
- ELEGOO proposes a rotating nozzle holder with a circular plate and vertical movement
- Both solutions aim to reduce the weight on the carriage during printing
- The patent applications do not correspond to commercial announcements
FlashForge: interchangeable print heads on a rack
FlashForge has filed a patent application for a system that automatically picks and places print heads during the printing process, keeping unused units separate.
Chinese patent application CN122425892A, assigned to Zhejiang FlashForge Group Co., describes a switching device with multiple print heads placed on a movable support. The printer carriage only engages the print head needed for a given work phase. The others remain in a parking position.
The solution differs from printers with two extruders permanently mounted on the same carriage. It also differs from systems that use a single nozzle fed by multiple spools. FlashForge aims to keep materials, hotends, and nozzles separate, reducing the number of components moved during operations.
Operation of the mobile rack
The design includes a movable carriage installed on the printer's motion system. During operation, the carriage picks up a single unit from a rack located near one end of the guide.
The rack contains multiple print heads arranged in sequence. When the software requires a specific color or material, the support moves laterally until it aligns the correct print head with the carriage. The carriage reaches the change area, connects to the print head, and removes it from the support.
At the end of the printing phase, the carriage returns the print head to its position, releases it, and can pick up another. In the drawings associated with the application, four print heads appear, but the claims do not seem to limit the system to that number.
This setup avoids moving all hotends together. The carriage carries only the mass required for the current operation, while the other print heads remain stationary.
ELEGOO: rotating nozzle holder with circular plate
ELEGOO has filed a patent application for a compact system that alternates multiple nozzles through a rotating and liftable support, concentrating the modules in a circular configuration.
Chinese patent application CN122425890A, attributed to Shenzhen Intelligent Pie Technology Co., Ltd., describes a system for alternating multiple nozzles within an FFF 3D printer. The document was published on July 21, 2026. The title can be translated as “quick-change support for multiple FDM nozzles”.
The letter “A” in the code indicates that it is the publication of a patent application, not a granted patent. The project does not correspond to the announcement of a new commercial printer.
Radial selection and vertical insertion
The solution uses a circular plate on which different nozzle bodies can be mounted. The plate can rotate to bring the required module into alignment with the filament path.
After rotation, a second vertical movement lifts the selected assembly and connects it to the feed tube. The system thus combines two operations: the radial selection of the nozzle and its insertion into the working position.
This is not a tool change where a carriage picks up a complete print head from a series of fixed stations. In ELEGOO’s design, the various modules remain assembled around a single rotating support. The setup resembles a circular cartridge: the system rotates to the intended position, engages the selected module, and leaves the other nozzles waiting.
| Feature | FlashForge | ELEGOO |
|---|---|---|
| Type of change | Complete print head | Nozzle on rotating plate |
| Component position | Linear rack | Circular support |
| Main movement | Lateral + coupling | Rotation + lifting |
| Patent number | CN122425892A | CN122425890A |
Implications for multimaterial printing
Both solutions address the problem of additional weight in multicolor and multimaterial printing, proposing architectures that physically separate unused components.
The additional weight can limit accelerations, increase vibrations, and complicate the positioning of the selected component. FlashForge and ELEGOO have chosen different approaches for the same goal: reducing the mass carried by the carriage during printing movements.
The patent does not constitute confirmation of a future commercial printer. The documents show, however, which technical problems the two manufacturers intend to address in future developments dedicated to printing with multiple colors, different materials, and soluble supports.
FlashForge patents a system for automatically changing print heads in FFF 3D printers – 3D Printing
ELEGOO studies a rotating and lightweight nozzle holder for multimaterial FFF 3D printing – 3D Printing
article written with the help of artificial intelligence systems
Q&A
What is the main objective of FlashForge and ELEGOO's patents?
Both solutions aim to reduce the weight carried by the carriage during printing by alternating multiple printheads or nozzles. This approach opens new possibilities for multi-color and multi-material production without burdening the mechanics.
How does FlashForge's patented system work?
FlashForge has developed a system with interchangeable printheads positioned on a moving rack. The carriage automatically picks up only the printhead needed for that specific printing phase, leaving the others in a parked position.
What does ELEGOO's patent proposal consist of?
ELEGOO proposes a rotating nozzle holder equipped with a circular plate that performs vertical movements. This compact system allows efficient alternation of nozzles during the printing process.
What is the technical advantage over traditional dual extruders?
Unlike printers with two permanently mounted extruders, these systems keep unused materials and hotends separate. Consequently, the carriage carries only the mass strictly required for the current operation.
Do filed patents indicate imminent commercialization?
No, filed patent applications do not necessarily correspond to immediate commercial announcements. They represent intellectual protections for technologies that may be developed in the future.
