Creality has announced KliTek, “next-gen nozzle changing” 3D Printing technology.
They’re calling this a “game changer” and say that KliTek will allow for multicolor and multi-material 3D printing “in a brand-new fashion.”
“Print faster without waste and hassle-free in one go.”
This seems like more of a teaser, with little details. But, there’s enough to get a small sense of what Creality is going for here.
They say “speed isn’t the point” and that “getting the model done faster is.” “it’s about one-and-done vibrancy.”
Similarly, “multi-material itself isn’t the point – it’s about possibilities, like merging the rigid with the flexible.”
An image notes that you can use a 0.4mm nozzle for outer wall details and 0.8mm for faster infills.
To my knowledge, you cannot mix nozzle sizes in competing brands’ multi-nozzle or tool-head systems, only colors or materials.
As far as technical details are concerned, it sounds like Creality is just swapping out the hot end and nozzle, rather than the entire toolhead.
The modularity we achieved hit a sweet spot – the nozzle assembly weighs just one-fifth of the weight of the full toolhead. It’s a 5-second nozzle change.
They also added a second extruder for a pull-push configuration, to help softer TPU filaments perform more reliably. “It moves through the tube like a caterpillar.”
Creality KliTek is “coming 2026.”
The company has also been talking about an “AI Ecosystem.”
But it’s not exactly clear what the “AI Ecosystem” will involve with respect to their 3D printers, slicers, or control software.
Other Nozzle-Changing 3D Printers
Several nozzle-changing 3D printers have emerged in the past year. Some swap just the nozzle and hothead, and others swap the entire toolhead.
The Snapmaker U1 has a toolhead changer that swaps between 4 complete toolheads.
See Also: Snapmaker U1 Multi-Color 3D Printer is Available for Preorder
The Bambu H2C has 2 extruders, one that’s fixed and the other that can swap between 6 induction-heated hotend nozzle assemblies.
See Also: New Bambu H2C and P2S 3D Printers just Launched in the USA
Prusa has the Core One+ 3D printer and recently launched INDX 4- and 8-nozzle toolhead changing system. Prusa claims their upgraded system is for multicolor and “true multi-material” 3D printing with “virtually zero waste.”
