I’ve been thinking about the possibility of integrating the Snapmaker U1 with the Anycubic ACE Pro.
Currently, the ACE Pro supports integration with the Creality K1 series thanks to the agrloki/ValgACE github project. If we could achieve similar compatibility for the Snapmaker U1, it would be a game-changer. Since the U1 is a multi-toolhead system, pairing it with ACE Pro units could theoretically allow for 10 to 16 colors in a single print.
The ACE Pro is a particularly attractive option because it provides a cost-effective solution that includes both filament storage and active drying functions. Given the U1’s capabilities, this integration would offer a high-end multi-material experience at a much more competitive price point.
I don’t think that it’s easily possible: The K1 has a filament cutter (for use with their original CFS), but the U1 has none. So it can’t cut the filament before retracting.
Hello. I don’t remember exactly where, but I think I saw someone working on it, adding something resembling a filament cutter. However, you’d also need to modify the firmware for this feature to become usable. But even if we could implement it in a minimal function—using the motorization to replace the machine’s feeders, with each PTFE feeding a print head—then we’d have a dryer mounted on top and spools kept warm. Simple and effective, nothing overly complex to tinker with—just a custom cable to connect the printer to the ACE Pro for management, and perhaps a minor firmware modification. I’m throwing out the idea—if any experts want to take a look at this “project”!