How a hobby fork became the slicer of choice for millions of makers — and where its creators think 3D printing goes next.
Guides
The short answer is: Yes. You can 3D print metal. In fact, metal additive manufacturing has fundamentally transformed industries from aerospace to medical devices. But if you are a maker, an engineer, or a small business owner wondering if you can click "print" on a stainless steel part
Guides
Silk PLA looks tempting for a simple reason: it can make a 3D print look polished and premium straight off the build plate. If you have ever printed with regular PLA and felt the model looked a little too plain, or too obviously “3D printed,” Silk PLA seems like the
This is the promise of the Full Spectrum modification of Snapmaker Orca by Radu (a.k.a. “ratdoux”), and it’s not just a party trick…
30 Print-Ready Models. Zero Setup. Just Print. With U1 now ONE WEEK AWAY from being in-stock globally, we are reminded of a moment every maker knows well — the excitement of a new machine, followed by a simple question: what should I make first? With Snapmaker U1, that moment
With the launch of Snapmaker U1, we are publishing the modifications we’ve made to three widely used open-source projects: Klipper, Moonraker, and Fluidd. These projects form the foundation of U1’s firmware system. Over the course of development, we have significantly extended and adapted them to support U1’
Using the Snapmaker Rotary Module and Rest Machining with Fusion 360 By Dominik Bilitewski 1. Project presentation and motivation Although I have never played chess in my life, I have always been fascinated by the game itself, but above all by the aesthetics of the chess pieces. A high-quality
Hi Snapmaker Community, Over the past month, our U1 Test Pilot Program has been in full swing. We shipped 19 beta units to experienced community members and past Snapmaker video contest winners. They have provided detailed feedback that has been invaluable in refining the U1 before full-scale production. This
Tool changer 3D printers are redefining the possibilities of multi-material printing. Unlike traditional designs, these advanced machines feature a system that can automatically swap between different tool heads during a single print job. This core capability opens the door to creating complex parts with multiple materials and colors, without
We’ve all been there. A 14-hour print finally wraps up, and instead of a pristine cosplay prop or a precision-engineered bracket, you’re left with a stringy, warped, or scarred piece of plastic. Frustrating? Absolutely. But achieving flawless 3D print quality isn't dark magic—it&
If you bought a 3D printer, there is a 100% chance you've looked at your chaotic desk, overflowing tool drawers, or messy workshop walls and thought: "I can print a solution for this." But then you browse through community repositories, and decision paralysis sets in. Do
It is 2:00 AM. You are ten hours into a highly detailed print, and the house is dead silent. Then, out of nowhere, you hear it: a dry, high-pitched squeak coming from your printer’s gantry. If you are like most makers, your immediate instinct might be to
Navigating the world of 3D printing often feels like trying to drink from a firehose. With millions of digital files available online, it can be overwhelming to figure out what is actually worth your filament and time. Whether you are looking for a weekend project to test your printer'
Printing a static figure or a rigid storage cup is a great way to learn the ropes of additive manufacturing. But adding motion to your prints changes everything. A well-designed 3d printed hinge takes a simple block of plastic and transforms it into a functional storage box, wearable armor,
This is the promise of the Full Spectrum modification of Snapmaker Orca by Radu (a.k.a. “ratdoux”), and it’s not just a party trick…
It is the first question every maker asks after following a 3D printer buying guide and unboxing their machine: “How much is this going to cost me to keep running?” While the printer itself is a one-time investment, filament is the "fuel" for your creativity. It can
Type "3d printer video" into any search engine, and you will be met with millions of mesmerizing results. From rapid-fire time-lapses to in-depth technical breakdowns, watching a machine bring a digital concept into the physical world is undeniably captivating. But if you look closely, these
Let's get one thing straight right out of the gate: if you think upgrading your 3D printer nozzle size is just about picking a random diameter to print faster or smaller, you are setting yourself up for spectacular, plastic-spaghetti failures. Quick Start Guide: For most hobbyists, start
If you are diving into the world of 3D printing, the term Bowden extruder is one you will encounter almost immediately. A printer’s extrusion layout—especially where the motor sits relative to the hotend—plays a major role in print speed, material compatibility, and day-to-day maintenance. In
Loading a brand-new spool of "clear" filament into your 3D printer is exciting. You picture creating custom, glass-like lampshades, invisible electronics enclosures, or crystal-clear tabletop miniatures. Then, the print finishes, and the reality of FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) 3D printing sets in. Instead of a
Picture this: you carefully set up a massive 14-hour print project, double-check your initial layers, and head to bed feeling incredibly productive. You wake up the next morning, grab your coffee, and eagerly walk over to your workspace to see your newly minted masterpiece. Instead, you are greeted
