Here’s what I would do for the Print Module:
- Incorporate the Multi-Color print head. Diamond HotEnd – RepRap Link
- Make sure it works with flexible filament.
- Add printed material cooling. Many of the great printers have this.
- Add a camera to watch the action up close on the LCD panel.
- Update the controller and firmware to support all these things as they will need it.
Here’s some changes I would make to other parts of the SnapMaker:
- Replace the lead screws with ball screws, more accurate, more durable, of course more expensive. That would also include a spring loaded ball thrust bearing at the end of the ball screw. No good spending the money on the ball screw without dealing with any axial play of the ball screw.
- Replace the driver chips with the new quiet ones. Trinamic TMC2130
- Make the OctoPi an optional buy.
- Replace the CNC cutter adapter with a collet like Dremel uses.
- Use a better motor for the CNC module, one that can have the speed controlled.
I’m pretty sure the SnapMaker team has many of these improvements on their to-do list, they just need the time and resources to implement them. Here’s a suggestion for the team:
- Utilize the thousands of SM enthusiasts by forming teams that can work on some of these projects.
- Reward them with discounts instead of salary or consulting fees.
- Have both an economical version and a premium one. Many people will pay the money for premium if they use it a lot.