Modix Upgrades Its BIG Printers With a New Electronics Platform

Modix has shipped Generation 5 electronics for its BIG series large-format 3D printers, giving existing owners a path to new features without buying a whole new machine. The upgrade centers on the Duet 3 control platform with distributed CANBUS electronics.

The setup lets users add motor drivers, sensors, input and output modules, and tool boards across the printer. Modix says the controller supports more than 20 axes and drivers, which means the company can add capabilities later without reworking the main board. An integrated accelerometer handles automatic calibration, and the package includes a new touchscreen plus standard Ethernet. Wi-Fi can be removed if needed, which matters for facilities with strict security rules.

Three new features are planned for Formnext 2026. The first is a Bondtech automatic INDX tool changer that brings multi-color and multi-material printing to BIG-series machines with build volumes of at least one meter. The second is a compact pellet extruder that mixes pellet feedstock for high throughput with traditional filament for detail work. The third is a 45-degree print head mode that reduces supports on large angled walls.

CEO Shachar Gafni said the move extends Modix's long-standing modular philosophy. Customers can expand their existing printers instead of scrapping them for the next generation. That approach matters in large-format printing, where machine prices can reach six figures and downtime is expensive.

Generational hardware refreshes usually force owners to choose between buying new or falling behind. Modix is betting that an electronics-first upgrade path will keep BIG-series customers loyal through multiple feature cycles. If the promised tool changer and pellet extruder arrive on schedule, the platform could be one of the most flexible large-format options on the market.