Exciting Times Ahead — Let's Look Back Before We Move Forward

News and Announcements
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I’m hopeful that the Artisan and SM2 firmware will be opened and shared on GitHub. I don’t expect much more development from Snapmaker at this point — not that there was much before. (To be fair, I believe their software team is an army of one!)

I was hoping Snapmaker would move the 3D printing modules to Klipper. But based on recent updates, that seems unlikely now. Still, I think if the firmware were open on GitHub, the community could make that happen. I did have to chuckle when in the marketing blurb about the U1 snapmaker stated the are all open source, not really.

Has anyone looked closely at the microcontrollers used in the modules?

I wish snapmaker luck on the U1, it’s a crowded market with Bambi and Prusa having years of lead time and decent software. I just don’t know if it’s the use case most associate snapmaker with.

/mes

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At least the SM2 firmware is open source: Snapmaker · GitHub - it does not cover the touchscreen, but else it is there.

These are STM32 clones.

The hardware platform of SM2 is quite capable, so lot of potential to get more out of the machine by better firmware - it just seems that in the Snapmaker community nobody took the time to dive really deep. There are a few people that have modded specific functions, but e.g. an update to a more recent Marlin, or even someone trying to get Klipper running on SM2, I have not seen. I would agree with your assumption that for SM2 we cannot expect much development on the software side anymore by Snapmaker themselves.

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Thank you for your detailed feedback and thoughts. At this time, we do not have plans to release updates for the Artisan or SM2 firmware. However, we remain committed to supporting our products through ongoing services and improvements in other areas. We truly value our community and appreciate everyone’s passion and contributions.

Drill hole feature
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But will you release the firmware itself for the Artisan like you did on 2.0?

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And if that’s what happening with other models…then it doesn’t give a great deal of confidence they’re going to continue to fine tune and get this right. The cynic in me thinks, well now they have the cash they can sit back, rub their hands and not do anything to fix the issues and bugs. Anyway…let’s see what noise come of it.

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Hi, thanks for sharing your thoughts. We completely understand how you feel about older products. Firmware and key feature updates for some older models are currently paused. We are still working on improving software like SnapmakerOrca. We really appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective. It helps us stay connected with what our community cares about.

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While Snapmaker have been advancing with separate laser (Ray) and printers (U1), I wish they’d do something on the CNC side. A multi-tool, auto-changer, affordable desktop CNC would be killer product. Personally, I find it far more satisfying to CNC a part than 3D print one, not to mention a much wider selection of materials.

To add, I love the multifunction use of my A250. It gets a LOT of use. Probably average 2-3 hours per day for the past 4 years. Some days 10+ hours. It works as advertised the day I bought it, and have updated most modules and linear motors along the way. I actually the 3D printing the leaf of the other modules (I’ve probably “only” printed 25 spools to date). It been a workhorse that’s never let me down. A standalone CNC would let me keep it going, and have another running along side. I’m not looking for any future updates for my old A250… it runs perfectly well as is. As a matter of fact, I’m several sw versions behind, and that’s just fine by me.

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Please open source the hardware designs, firmware and any needed or accompanying user software, as there are no future planned changes for the SM2. Ideally for the machine and the modules, and I guess the artisan but maybe you have more to come there.

Snapmakers software support has always been atrocious, with new worse bugs in most releases of luban, and serious problems with firmware releases, but there is at least continous work being done (so points for effort).

The machines do have a lot of “features” and include mildly impressive test projects, but without the software useability (CNC / laser camera / anything-to-do-with-alignment) they are expensive capable machines ham-strung by software.

At least the toolchanger design is not new so hopefully works well in software support terms, but a recent prerelease review title suggested otherwise.

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Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We really appreciate your perspective on CNC and will keep your feedback in mind.

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Thank you for speaking out. I have been saying the same thing and usually get shouted down rudely, called an idiot or having to defend my points even though they are well knowns facts. Its exhausting. Snapmaker will NEVER be better unless people stop patting them on the back and stop buying their products. The lack of useful features and meaningful updates killed it for me. A new toolhead is not an update, its an expensive upgrade that won’t really perform well with the garbage software we currently have!! Its an endless cycle and I’m over it. Personally, I suggest you do sell your machine and buy a better laser and a better CNC. I have 3 excellent tools for the price of my A250 so needless to say I’m pretty upset. But lesson learned right? Snapmaker cannot be trusted and now we know. Good luck and enjoy your Bambu. I know I do.

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And this is why we don’t trust you. You post a “newsletter” with 3 new features that should have been implemented years ago. But now you’re saying that Firmware and Features are paused. But also, you think we should buy the new printer that you’ve never built before, AND you want us to trust that you will keep working on it and not abandon it the exact same way that you have abandoned the 2.0 and especially Luban? You want us to spend money on expensive modules, knowing fully well that they won’t run very well in light of the current technical and software problems in your machines…. but trust us… the U1 will be great!! This is why we don’t trust you.

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But how much time is going into getting the firmware and software right for the U1 and where are the updates on that progress? All I’m seeing is the pats on the back and the showcasing…nothing about fixing glitches, bugs and issues.

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“and not abandon it the exact same way that you have abandoned the 2.0 and especially Luban?”

cant be angry that luban exists AND be mad that its been abandoned. theres other better slicers.

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Yes, you absolutely CAN! The other slicers don’t work directly with the machine or have presets for new users. You absolutely CAN be angry that they gave up on their OWN software and then said “Meh, use this unfinished Orca thing. We added our name to it, but it doesn’t do much differently”. When you spend $1200 or more for a machine that MUST be controlled by software, you DO have a right to be angry when they abandon development on that software, claim in an email that they will have an update with 3, count em 3 new features (whoa!!) and then tell everyone that all development of new features is paused while they release this new machine. Sure as Heck we can be angry.

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orcaslicer, prusaslicer, superslicer, snapmaker orca, probably cura?
they all have presets to 3d print with the snapmaker printers. its not that deep bro

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Hahahah. You’re trying so hard aren’t you? You’re the reason Snapmaker doesn’t have to update their software. People like you that accept whatever they throw at you and defend them when anyone criticizes. Not that serious. tell that to all the people dumping their Snapmakers are refusing to buy anymore from them. Seems serious enough to them and me.

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Hi all, please keep this discussion civil. It is not about being right or wrong. If you have sated your point, do not reiterate - opinions on what a fact means for people may vary - please accept that. Thanks!

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No thanks, I will say whatever it is I want or need to. Your interference isn’t needed because things have remained civil. Terse but civil.

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I want to share my experience as a long time Snapmaker User. I was an early orderer of the A350, and I’ve purchased many hardware upgrades for it. These include upgrades from Snapmaker; bracing kit, 10W laser, 2W laser, upgraded CNC, rotary module as well as 3rd party upgrades; aftermarket bed, diamond nozzle, and many self-designed and printed upgrades. I have used all 3 of the A350’s modes and have worked through many, many problems, producing very good projects.

My experience has been that the platform is a great space-saving enthusiast multi-purpose machine. It can produce good results with the right attention…. but it frankly doesn’t produce great results at speed and without fuss. I always have to experiment and dial in what I am doing to get a good result. I could never recommend it to a beginner.

As far as software goes, I tend to stay in Luban, but I use all sorts of third party software for design work (e.g. Blender and Inkscape). Luban is very limited, but it mostly gets the job done as a gcode generator and delivery vehicle to the A350.

I would say that I am a satisfied Snapmaker customer.

But due to their business practices, I will never buy another Snapmaker product.

The reality is that they have not demonstrated significant history of reliably supporting their customers. I have seen various support staff on the forums, but it has been years since anyone from Snapmaker has posted anything of substance on the forums, unless it is a new product announcement. I have also seen multiple failures of promised features for their original customers.

I was gratified that the U1 preview at least made mention that the requested repeat job feature would be forthcoming for legacy machines (a feature that works on 10W laser, but is broken on the 2W laser), only to later read that Snapmaker is rescinding that promise to focus on the U1. I can’t say I am surprised. Actually, I was surprised. I was surprised that they committed to releasing the feature and supporting their older customers. But of course, then they reverted to expected behavior of limiting their energy exclusively on their next new product.

I implore Snapmaker to invest in more software staff and to support existing customers. Snapmaker has a lot of catching up to do in hardware design - but new hardware won’t get you anywhere if you repeat the cycle of abandoning customers.

I want Snapmaker to succeed - but they need a wakeup call.

I will continue to help people on this forum, and I am grateful for the Snapmaker products I do have. Regrettably, it feels like I have more appreciation for the A350 than Snapmaker does.

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Do feel a bit like I’ve been left behind, but that’s on me. A bit out of my price range to upgrade. Of course, I’ll still be around mostly as legacy support for the people who follow my guides. Since the 2.0 seems to be EoL, I figured that’s it. :slight_smile: I’ve bent the 2.0 platform to my will and made it do what I want, despite the built in safeties and ‘guides’ that just get in the way. I hope others have enjoyed what I shared to get all they can from their machinery.

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