Prusa XL now supports 3D printing with silicone thanks to Filament2 toolhead

Prusa Research is expanding the capabilities of its Original Prusa XL industrial 3D printer with a new tool module: the Silicone Printing Toolhead. In collaboration with Israeli company Filament2, the manufacturer is launching the first solution that allows real silicone objects to be produced at desktop level. The system is based on liquid filament technology, which uses liquid two-component materials instead of solid filament.

The process differs significantly from classic FDM printing. The “filament” consists of a thin plastic tube containing two separate liquids. These components are mixed in the extruder while the shell is removed. This creates a heat-resistant, flexible silicone jet that is applied layer by layer. Once printing is complete, a genuine silicone part remains – not a polymer imitation, but a component with the properties of the original.

The new toolhead is designed as a plug-and-play extension and can be installed directly on the modular Prusa XL system. With up to five toolheads, the machine allows hybrid manufacturing processes, such as combining classic FDM structures with elastic silicone components in a single print job. Similarly, several silicone variants with different Shore hardnesses can be processed in parallel.

With a price of around US$1,000 per toolhead, the system is clearly aimed at professional users. The material costs and availability of the liquid filaments, which are being developed specifically for the process, are still unclear. In addition to silicone, polyurethanes and epoxy resins are also planned for the future, which could expand the range of applications beyond prototype construction.

It remains to be seen whether the technology will catch on in the market. Previous attempts by other providers to establish silicone 3D printing often failed due to high costs and low demand. Nevertheless, the cooperation with Filament2 is likely to be a logical step for Prusa Research to position the Prusa XL as a versatile platform for new material classes.