AtomForm, a MOVA Group consumer and professional 3D printing hardware company, has introduced the Palette 300, an FDM 3D printer designed to enable multi-color and multi-material printing through a 12-nozzle architecture. 3DPI travelled to the launch event in San Jose to learn more about how the system targets reduced material waste and simplified workflows, with support for up to 36 colors and 12 materials in a single build.
According to AtomForm CMO Zoe Shen, the system is part of a broader effort to simplify the transition from digital design to physical production by reducing workflow complexity and material constraints.
12-nozzle architecture targets multi-material complexity and waste reduction
The central focus of the event was the OmniElement system, a multi-nozzle architecture that assigns each material to a dedicated nozzle. Rather than merging filaments, it switches between twelve nozzles during printing. This approach is intended to eliminate purge towers and reduce transition waste, a common limitation in multi-material FDM systems.
“We developed a fundamentally different approach,” said the company’s CEO Jagger Shang. “Instead of using a single nozzle and merging materials, we use 12 independent nozzles, each holding its own material.”
A dual-channel feeding mechanism prepares the next material while printing, allowing for seamless switching between nozzles. During technical discussions, AtomForm engineers explained that material changes are handled without purging filament, with unused material remaining within each nozzle. This design is cited as a primary factor in reducing material waste.
According to Jerry Hu, AtomForm’s CTO, the system was partly inspired by multi-colored pens and CNC tool-changing systems, where multiple tools are available and selected as needed during operation.
System stability and engineering challenges behind the nozzle architecture
The multi-nozzle system presented a significant engineering challenge during development.
“The nozzle system was the most difficult part,” Hu explained during a technical briefing. “We had to solve many small problems across the system. It wasn’t a single issue, it was a combination of challenges.”
According to the company, earlier versions of the system were unstable, requiring repeated testing of nozzle switching, calibration, and alignment cycles. As a result, the system was not initially suitable for mass production.
“If we want to deliver this to consumers, stability becomes critical,” Hu added.
The final system integrates multiple monitoring and control features, including over 50 sensors and a camera-based alignment system. These components are used to maintain positioning accuracy and detect print failures during operation.
Hardware platform supports engineering materials and high-speed operation
The Palette 300 is designed to process a range of materials, such as PLA, PETG, PC, PPA, and other engineering-grade filaments. It includes a fully enclosed build chamber that heats up to 65°C and a hotend capable of reaching 350°C.
Motion control is driven by field-oriented control (FOC) step-servo motors, enabling print speeds of up to 800 mm/s and acceleration up to 25,000 mm/s², according to the company.
Additional features include triple Z-axis leveling, automatic calibration, and a nozzle identification and positioning system, alongside an integrated filament drying system capable of reaching 85°C. The printer is also equipped with multiple cameras used for time-lapse capture, calibration, and real-time print monitoring.
Software and platform ecosystem extend workflow integration
The Palette 300 is supported by a software and platform ecosystem. The company´s AtomForm Studio software includes multi-part slicing, device management for multiple printers, and a simplified “easy mode” configuration aimed at reducing setup complexity. According to the company´s R&D team, the software is open-source, and based on OrcaSlicer.
The platform, called Atomverse, combines model sharing, monetization, and AI-assisted model generation. According to the company, it is designed to support users without an advanced CAD background by enabling model creation from text or image inputs.
Panel discussion highlights accessibility, applications, and limitations
A panel discussion at the event, featuring creators and industry participants including Barry Katz, a Stanford professor and former IDEO design partner, emphasized both the increasing accessibility of 3D printing technologies and their broader implications for design and production.
Content creator Joel Telling noted that modern systems have significantly reduced setup complexity.
“Five or six years ago, 3D printing was intimidating,” he said. “Now you can take a printer out of the box, run auto-calibration, and start printing.”
Panelists also highlighted applications in healthcare, including the use of 3D printed anatomical models for surgical planning, as well as repair-oriented use cases.
Jerry Gomes described using 3D printing to produce replacement components for consumer devices.
“If a $400 machine breaks, you can design a part and print it for cents instead of replacing the whole system,” he said.
Multi-color capability seen as workflow improvement rather than output feature
Discussion around the system’s 36-color capability suggested that its main advantage may lie in workflow efficiency rather than output complexity. While multi-material printing itself is not new, panelists noted that the innovation lies in having multiple materials preloaded, allowing for faster iteration and more flexible printing setups.
“It’s not just about printing 36 colors,” one participant commented. “It’s about having them already loaded and ready to use.”
Positioning as a high-end consumer system
AtomForm stated that the Palette 300 is intended as a consumer-focused product rather than an industrial system, with pricing positioned in the high-end desktop segment.
“We position ourselves as a high-end brand,” the company’s CTO said. “We are focused on solving specific problems rather than competing on price.”
While full system pricing was not disclosed, the company indicated that a complete setup supporting maximum functionality would exceed entry-level consumer price points.
Expanding ecosystem and future product direction
AtomForm also has a UV printing system in development, which is expected to be integrated into the company’s broader software platform. The company pointed to health and safety as an ongoing focus, highlighting measures such as activated carbon and HEPA filtration to help mitigate material emissions.
While no specific release date has been announced, the system is expected to launch in the second quarter. AtomForm is currently accepting reservations online, with a $50 deposit securing a $999 launch-day price for the Palette 300, compared to an expected retail price of $2,199.
3D Printing Industry is inviting speakers for its 2026 Additive Manufacturing Applications (AMA) series, covering Energy, Healthcare, Automotive and Mobility, Aerospace, Space and Defense, and Software. Each online event focuses on real production deployments, qualification, and supply chain integration. Practitioners interested in contributing can complete the call for speakers form here.
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Feature image shows MOVA AtomForm 2026 product launch event stage. Photo by 3D Printing Industry.
