- The Snapmaker U1 turns four extruders into one seamless multi-material printing system
- The printer achieves a print speed of 500 millimeters per second. second with the precision still intact
- AI tools will detect filament failures before prints fail completely
Snapmaker has officially brought its long-awaited U1 3D printer to market after a crowdfunding campaign that raised over $20 million from more than 20,000 backers.
The pre-order price on the company’s website is listed at $849.00, reduced from the original $999.00.
The Snapmaker U1 combines a CoreXY motion design with a “SnapSwap” tool head system that lets users 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 turning a single 3D printer into a multi-material machine without the downtime common in traditional filament changers.
Snapmaker says this design not only increases print speed by up to five times, but also reduces filament waste by as much as 80 percent.
Unlike many hobbyist 3D printers that require manual adjustments and frequent cleaning, the U1 automates key steps.
It features vibration compensation, automatic calibration and a bed leveling process that keeps prints accurate even at speeds reaching 500 millimeters per second.
The manufacturer says its algorithms fine-tune 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 that automatically detect, load and track material usage.
The printer also works with Snapmaker’s Orca software and mobile app, enabling 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 enables time-lapse recording, and through a planned firmware update in 2025, it will support AI-based error detection.
This system is expected to detect filament filters or print errors and alert users through the connected app.
In addition to its automation and software functions, the machine has a build volume of 270 x 270 x 270 mm, which allows large projects without losing precision.
The printer offers an acceleration speed of up to 20,000 mm/s², enabling fast movement without visible quality loss.
It has a nozzle temperature capacity of up to 300°C and a heated bed that reaches 100°C for uniform 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.
Despite its strong specs and claims of “five times more speed” and “five times less waste”, the U1 has yet to prove that these gains hold up in real-world conditions.
High-speed printing often presents challenges with layer accuracy and temperature control, especially when working with mixed materials.
For a product that originated from crowdfunding, questions about long-term reliability, component life, and calibration consistency remain open.
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