'Next-gen 3D printing' enables printing with two different materials at once — faster, lighter, and more precise multiplexing nozzle tech demoed by U.S. gov't scientists

Scientists at the DOE's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have showcased a "next-generation 3D printing system" featuring a multiplexed nozzle that allows for printing with two different materials simultaneously. This innovation aims to enhance scalability in 3D printing while reducing tradeoffs in output size, weight, and complexity. By combining multiple extruders into a single stream of molten polymer, the system can address issues like weight penalties and unreliability at lower speeds. The technology is expected to have applications in additive manufacturing, the marine industry, aerospace, and potentially consumer 3D printing.