Have you also only had bad experiences with the U1 and its support? I’m about to lose my mind with them. Two devices that are constantly defective, and now that they say they’re taking the devices back, they want every part in its original packaging, every replacement part that was sent to me as a substitute for defective components. They want me to write down all the errors that occurred, even though they can view all the tickets themselves. They’re trying every means possible to avoid taking the devices back.
Defects of my two Snapmaker U1s
I’ve already had numerous problems with my last two U1s. For better clarity, I’ve separated the defects by device.
U1 SN …532WU
Already at or shortly after delivery:
• Feeder defective upon printer arrival
• Extruder gears defective. Extremely loud clicking when retracting, significantly louder than with other extruders. I sent a video to Snapmaker, and the gears were replaced.
• Upper gray cover scratched upon delivery. Replaced by Snapmaker.
• Mainboard fan defective since day one. The fan makes a very loud whining noise but still spins, so it hasn’t been replaced yet.
Other issues:
• After a software update, two nozzles and a PEI plate were damaged.
• The two replacement nozzles were taken from the respective replacement sets included with the two U1s.
• The PEI plate was subsequently purchased directly from Snapmaker.
• Toolhead USB cable defective. I replaced it at my own expense.
• Pogo pin / PCB issue.
• USB hub reports an error or is displayed as defective.
U1 SN …996YW
• Two hotend fans defective.
• When removing the hotend fans, the screws were stripped using the original tools, making it impossible to remove the fans.
• Snapmaker sent a replacement mount for this.
• Later, a second mount was sent to me, even though I explicitly requested that no further mounts be sent.
• Feeder defective. The printer constantly reported that the filament had broken. The problem could only be resolved by replacing the feeder.
• Another hotend fan from Snapmaker is still outstanding. I’ve since replaced the fan at my own expense so that I could continue using the printer.
• Strong vibrations on the X and Y axes. Changing the print speed does not eliminate the problem; it only changes the resonance or frequency of the vibrations.
Issues with both U1s
• Stepper motors lose steps. This occurs with both printers and has already resulted in multiple aborted print jobs.
• To operate both printers reliably, I had to install additional external fans on both devices to provide extra cooling for the stepper motor heatsinks. Only with this additional cooling can both devices be operated reliably.
• Without the additional fans, the stepper motors continue to lose steps.
Additionally noteworthy
The 532WU does not exhibit the strong X/Y vibrations that occur with the 996YW.
Both printers thus have multiple independent problems, with some defects present at delivery and others occurring during further operation.
The company just frustrates me now. You have to beg for every part. Returns are practically impossible … not to mention the fact that they want to keep 10% of the purchase price if you send them a defective device and they want to return it immediately.