🖨 3D Printer Radar
Updated: May 17, 2026How we rate →

XL Pick & Place ToolheadLate 2026. Prusa officially announced new XL toolheads for 2026: a Pick & Place system for autonomous component insertion co-developed with ZHAW, and a silicone extrusion toolhead co-developed with Filament2. The XL platform is being extended, not replaced.

Prusa Research XL
ProfessionalFDMprusaCoreXY

Prusa Research XL

📐 360×360×360 mm500 mm/s🎨 5-color🔓 Open Source
$2,299Starting Price
360×360×360 mmBuild Volume
500 mm/sMax Speed
Open FrameEnclosure

Buy now or wait?

🗓 Released Nov 20, 2023
228 days until XL Pick & Place Toolhead(909 of 1137 days through current cycle)
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Cycle Advice

Wait

XL Pick & Place Toolhead is on the way. We recommend waiting unless you need a printer right now.

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Deals Advice

good

Prusa Research does not participate in seasonal sales — the price you see is the price you pay. Why? →

📡On the Radar: XL Pick & Place Toolhead

Late 2026

Prusa officially announced new XL toolheads for 2026: a Pick & Place system for autonomous component insertion co-developed with ZHAW, and a silicone extrusion toolhead co-developed with Filament2. The XL platform is being extended, not replaced.

Confidence: announced
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📊Printer Specs

TypeFDM
TierProfessional
MotionCoreXY
Build Volume360 × 360 × 360 mm
Max Speed500 mm/s
Multicolor✅ 5 slots
Enclosure❌ No
Auto Calibration✅ Yes
Open Source✅ Yes

Supported Materials

PLAEasiest to print, great for everyday parts — no enclosure needed
PETGTougher and slightly flexible — good for functional parts, moisture-resistant
ABSHeat and impact resistant — needs enclosure to avoid warping
ASALike ABS but UV-stable — good for outdoor parts, needs enclosure
TPUFlexible and rubber-like — great for phone cases, gaskets, wheels
PANylon — strong and wear-resistant, absorbs moisture, needs dry storage
PA-CFCarbon-fibre nylon — very stiff and lightweight, abrasive to standard nozzles
PCPolycarbonate — extremely tough and heat-resistant, challenging to print

🗂Models at a Glance

Model/ConfigBuild VolumeSpeedMulticolorBest For
XL (single tool head)360×360×360 mm500 mm/sSingle material, max volumeLarge-format single-material printing.
XL (5 tool heads)360×360×360 mm500 mm/s5 tool heads (true multi-material, no purge)Large-format multi-material production.

💡About the Prusa Research XL

Who is it for?Professional makers, studios, and engineers who need large-format printing with genuine multi-material capability, open-source hardware, and Prusa's long-term support.

Key strengths

  • Tool-changer multicolor — no purge waste

    Unlike filament-switching AMS/MMU systems, the XL physically swaps print heads. Each material has its own nozzle, eliminating purge towers entirely and enabling true multi-material prints.

  • 360×360×360 mm build volume

    One of the largest build volumes available in a CoreXY printer at this price point — suited for large props, architectural models, and batch production.

  • Fully open source and serviceable

    Every component is documented, parts are stocked for years, and the community has developed hundreds of modifications and improvements.

The Prusa XL is Prusa Research's flagship large-format CoreXY printer, featuring a unique tool-changer architecture that swaps between up to 5 print heads — each with its own nozzle, allowing true multi-material printing without filament purging. The 360×360×360 mm build volume makes it one of the largest open-source printers in its class.

FAQs

Is the Prusa XL tool-changer reliable?

The tool-changer mechanism is more mechanically complex than filament-switching systems. Early units had calibration challenges, but Prusa has improved reliability through firmware updates. For production use, the XL tool-changer is now well-regarded — but expect a steeper learning curve than Bambu AMS.

Prusa XL vs Bambu X1C — what are the main differences?

The XL has a 40% larger build volume (360 vs 256 mm) and supports true multi-material via tool-changer vs filament-switching. The X1C has LiDAR scanning, AI monitoring, and Bambu's closed ecosystem advantages. Both are professional-tier printers at similar price points with different design philosophies.

Does Prusa XL need an enclosure?

The XL is an open-frame printer. For ABS and ASA, an enclosure is recommended. Prusa offers an official enclosure accessory for the XL.

Should I wait for the new XL toolheads?

Prusa has officially announced new XL toolheads for late 2026, including a Pick & Place system for autonomous component insertion. These are toolhead add-ons for the existing XL platform — not a replacement model. If you need a large-format printer now, the current XL is the right buy. If autonomous component insertion is specifically relevant to your workflow, it may be worth monitoring Prusa's announcements before purchasing.

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