As a new Snapmaker user, I would like to know how to update my original Snapmaker (currently running V1.60) to the latest PAXX firmware (V1.52 or V1.60).
Before purchasing the Snapmaker, I used a Bambu Lab Mini printer and still have a large supply of Bambu Lab filaments.
Would you recommend upgrading my Snapmaker to the PAXX firmware, especially if it allows the printer to detect and identify my existing Bambu Lab filaments?
What additional features would I gain by using the PAXX firmware, and are there any disadvantages or risks compared with staying with the original Snapmaker firmware?
As a new user, I would appreciate your advice on whether upgrading to PAXX is recommended in my situation.
There’s enough information in the Paxx thread for you to work that out, especially if you follow the link to the documentation on GitHub. It makes no sense to repeat it here.
I’ve used Paxx with no issues whatsoever, although you might want to be cautious about new releases. I regard 1.6.0 as unproven, so Paxx based on 1.6.0 is also unproven.
If you want to read RFID for anything other than Snapmaker filament, Paxx is the only means you have to do it.
As a new user of the U1 I would not move over to the extended FW right away, but get acquainted with the Snorca Slicer. Eventually you can even use the vanilla Orca. Bambu Spools can be used, like all other filaments. When inserting, manually assign generic and color and start using the generic profile, run a temptower and flow calibration and thats it. You could use the dynamic flow calibration to ascertain the K value (watch it developing in Klipper screen) and take a not of the value then. That is how I would do it.
If you don’t know why you need it, then frankly you DONT need it for now, its adding a whole new load of variables that could bite you in the arse
AFAIK you can’t id RFID tags on bambulab filament with anything other than a BL printer, you can buy your own tags and use say openspool to write to it - you’ll still need to build profiles as Snapmaker only include their own and PolyMaker at this point
This isn’t about the slicer, but FWIW I’ve not used Snapmaker Orca either, because, by the time I started using my U1, support had been incorporated into vanilla Orca. Improvements in Orca have yet to be incorporated into SnOrca. Obviously I will have to use both SnOrca and official firmware for the beta trials…
OpenRFID support (is purported to) confers the ability to read non-Snapmaker RFID filaments onto the U1 set-up screen and then back to the slicer. I do not have any RFID spools (other than the Snapmaker filament that came with the printer) to try it, and I find it no real inconvenience to set up my filament manually. I sometimes declare it as a different colour too, strategically, as occasion demands.
Indeed.
I’m not trying to sway the OP one way or the other, we all have to make up our own minds. What I am saying is that Paxx 1.4.1 has been no trouble at all (but I do not use cloud mode, strictly LAN mode).
I have switched between official and Paxx firmware a number of times for validation purposes with no difficulty (people worry they wouldn’t be able to restore official firmware for some reason – perhaps they think live updates are the only way to flash it but I do my updates by USB). OK, I agree it is not zero risk, but it is very low risk, and as noted above even official firmware updates are not zero risk.
Actually, that might not be true. There is another project which confers the user options to add their pick of firmware modules, and OpenRFID might be a module (but don’t quote me). What I’m saying is by open-sourcing the firmware, Snapmaker has given the community freedom to develop it our way. Paxx is best known, but not the only.
While I understand your desire, I strongly doubt Snapmaker is going to be supporting their direct competition’s filament any time soon. I have been wrong in the past.
There is a very simple solution to your request, though. You can just put it in as Generic Filament. You don’t need an RFID to use the machine.
Once it’s in the machine, you can create custom profiles for the filament and save it as “Bambu”
