Innovative Multi-Nozzle Spherical FDM 3D Printing — Inner Mongolia Zhonghe Seeks Equipment Partners for Its Extrusion Head and Feeding System

Panda3dp.com GUIDE:In the desktop FDM 3D printing market — with annual global shipments in the millions — multi-color and multi-material printing is one of the hottest trends. Current solutions suffer from severe material waste and are typically limited to four colors. But what if a new print head and filament feeding system could change all that?

On July 22, 2025, Panda3dp.com reported that Inner Mongolia Zhonghe Additive Manufacturing Technology Co., Ltd. (referred to as "Zhonghe Additive") has secured multiple patents for a fully support-free, full-color, multifunctional 3D printing system. The company has received three invention patents for this innovative design that aims to address key limitations of traditional FDM printing.

1. Spherical Multifunctional 3D Printing Extrusion Head

At the core of the system lies a spherical multifunctional 3D extrusion head, designed to resolve issues such as complex material switching, waste, and structural weakness. This print head houses 12 or more independent nozzles, each capable of extruding filaments with different colors, diameters, and materials.

The spherical nozzle arrangement is a key innovation. With a hollow shell design and 12+ independently driven nozzles, the system enables support-free 3D printing in complex geometries. Each nozzle is precisely positioned via a three-axis worm-gear motor, allowing accurate deposition in 3D space (X, Y, Z) without needing support structures — significantly reducing material waste and post-processing time.

Crucially, the print head supports inclined printing, breaking away from the traditional layer-by-layer approach. This leads to improved Z-axis strength and near-isotropic mechanical properties, greatly enhancing part stability. The shell integrates an independent air-cooled channel, powered by a dedicated pump — a major improvement over traditional fan-integrated heads, reducing weight and increasing XY-axis precision and acceleration performance.

2. Integrated Feeding System: A Versatile and Cost-Efficient

Paired with the print head is a 12-in-1 integrated extruder (material management system), which revolutionizes conventional multi-extruder design. Using a modular hopper and dynamic adjustment structure, one extruder can handle multi-color, multi-diameter, and multi-material switching.

No cutting, nozzle swapping, or purging is needed. Instead, software-controlled nozzle angle adjustments handle material changes, reducing switch time by over 60% and cutting filament waste to just 20% of traditional methods.

3. Quad-Platform and Multi-Dimensional Printing for Complex

To meet the demands of specialized structures, the system supports a four-platform design (X, Y, Z, and T — top platform). A rack-and-pinion drive system, similar to a telescopic crane, enables multi-directional, collision-free printing.

Whether for large industrial parts, intricate creative models, or complex architectural components, this system delivers stable printing precision and efficiency.

Industry Value: From Technical Innovation to Scalable Deployment

Zhonghe Additive’s Director, Guo Jun, told Panda3dp.com that the core strength of their system lies in “solving the cost-efficiency-performance paradox” of traditional multi-material 3D printing through integrated design thinking.

Conventional multi-color/multi-material systems suffer from complex switching, high energy consumption, and structural limitations. In contrast, this new system delivers:

· Support-free printing

· Full-color fabrication

· Automated filament switching

· High freedom of movement

· Eco-friendly energy efficiency

The newly launched extrusion head and feeding system have already secured multiple invention patents. These technologies can be retrofitted to existing 3D printers or incorporated into new equipment — with broad applications in industrial manufacturing, architecture, creative design, and medical aid.

Seeking Strategic Equipment Partners Nationwide

Zhonghe Additive is actively seeking equipment manufacturers across China to collaborate on scaling and commercializing this breakthrough system. Proposed partnership models include:

· Technology licensing

· Joint R&D

· OEM manufacturing

The company offers comprehensive technical documentation, patent support, and production guidance.

From lab concept to production line, from CAD blueprints to industry adoption — Zhonghe Additive’s latest system could be a game-changer for the FDM sector. They're calling on forward-thinking manufacturers to help accelerate the commercialization of this innovation and jointly shape the future of additive manufacturing.

Panda3dp.com’s Take:
While the concept is promising, executing such a system will require strong engineering capabilities — the technical challenge is significant.

 Contact: Zhonghe Additive – 15104719788 (WeChat same number)

Founded in 2020, Zhonghe Additive focuses on R&D and application of 3D printing technologies. Its business spans additive manufacturing consulting, equipment sales, software development, and new material promotion. The company has built expertise in construction 3D printing and multi-material composite printing, with a portfolio of over a dozen patents including:

· "3D Printing Application of Concrete"

· "In-Situ Yellow River Sand-Based Construction Printing System"

Zhonghe also contributed to the development of the “General Technical Specification for Construction 3D Printing Robots” (T/CASME 814-2023) — officially enacted in October 2023.