- Snapmaker U1 turns four extruders into one seamless multi-material printing system
- The printer achieves a printing speed of 500 millimeters per second with precision always intact
- AI tools will detect filament errors before prints fail completely
Snapmaker has officially released its long-awaited U1 3D printer after a crowdfunding campaign that raised more than $20 million from more than 20,000 backers.
The pre-order price on the company’s website is listed at $849.00, down from the original $999.00.
The Snapmaker U1 combines a CoreXY motion design with a “SnapSwap” tool head system that allows users to switch between four preloaded extruders in approximately five seconds.
A new benchmark in multi-material printing
Each extruder can handle different colors or materials, effectively transforming a single 3D printer into a multi-material machine without the downtime common in traditional filament changers.
Snapmaker claims that this design not only increases printing speeds by up to five times, but also reduces filament waste by up to 80%.
Unlike many hobby 3D printers that require manual adjustments and frequent purging, the U1 automates key steps.
It features vibration compensation, automatic calibration, and a bed leveling process that keeps prints accurate even at speeds up to 500 millimeters per second.
The manufacturer claims its algorithms refine extrusion and stabilize tool head movement to maintain clean surfaces and sharp edges, improving multi-color work.
Its automatic filament management system supports up to four spools, automatically detecting, loading and tracking material usage.
The printer also works with Orca software and Snapmaker’s mobile app, allowing remote monitoring and control.
These tools simplify the workflow, especially for creators experimenting with mixed materials such as PLA, TPU, and PETG.
A miniature 3D printer camera inside the chamber allows for time-lapse recording and, thanks to a firmware update planned for 2025, will support AI-based error detection.
This system should detect filament tangles or print failures and alert users via the connected app.
Beyond its automation and software features, the machine has a build volume of 270 x 270 x 270 mm, enabling large-scale projects without loss of precision.
The printer offers an acceleration rate of up to 20,000 mm/s², enabling rapid movement without visible loss of quality.
It has a nozzle temperature capability of up to 300°C and a heated bed reaching 100°C for consistent adhesion.
Each of its four tool heads maintains an alignment offset tolerance of less than 0.04 mm, which is important for clean transitions between materials.
However, despite its tough specifications and claims of “five times the speed” and “five times the waste”, the U1 has yet to prove that these gains hold up in real-world conditions.
High-speed printing often poses issues with layer accuracy and temperature control, especially when working with mixed materials.
For a crowdfunded product, questions about long-term reliability, component life and calibration consistency remain open.
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