U1 + AMS Way Coool!

U1 Toolchanger
1

I saw the AFC implementation of a BoxTurtle AMS connected to a Snapmaker U1 using their FOSS plugin (not currently public) at RepRap 2026. Kudos to AFC and @jimmyjon711 (ref: GitHub - ArmoredTurtle/AFC-Klipper-Add-On: Automated Filament Changer Software · GitHub )!

Another project, (sidecar) promises asynchronous AMS changes on inactive toolheads and large numbers of colors: https://www.youtube.com/@SideCarU1. This is also BoxTurtle based. The inventor claims minimal purge waste.

Lots of potential here - especially for the U1 given Snapmaker’s current market lead, pricing/performance, and opportunity to preload filament on inactive heads. The U1 looks to become the hackers platform of choice at this time. I am looking forward to the larger volume printers rumored to be coming out. Printing objects in different colors/materials is really sweet on a tool changer.

So, market trends: Larger volume build plates and get ready to purchase lots of filament.

With that in mind, I spoke with Polymaker about RFID compatibility and usability with their dryer boxes (re-branded by Snapmaker). At this time, all is TBD.

Soapbox alert: Let’s advocate for an open RFID standard and adoption ASAP. Also stay aware of the legislative threats to 3d printing and CNC machining.

I saw Prusa running the Bondtech INDX and spoke with CanukCreator on Vororn implementations. Unfortunately, the Bondtech INDX is “unobtanium” at this time. The INDX is a well thought out tool changer, but the Snapmaker U1 works and seems to be the price leader and only accessible option at this moment. BTW: It took less than a week for me to get my U1 in the US. I ordered to beat the price increase. So far, the U1 has delivered on the tool changer promise for me even with a small number of printer hours I have put on it thus far. I’ll be stressing the machine more in the near future.

Now to see were the U1 + AMS comes in regarding price, number of colors, and performance/waste per color swap compared to INDX and other >4 toolhead solutions.

An FYI: The latest HueForge 0.9.1.3 highlights some issue with the latest NVIDIA Quadro drivers. Reverting to 582.16 fixed the issue as does using HueForge 0.8.1. Stephen at HueForge is really responsive and knows his stuff. I look forward to learning this software (total newbie at the moment).

2

Have you for some reason not noticed the Sidecar thread? Sidecar 16 color MMU for U1

3

The thread does not mention other projects like AFC, which seems to be working as shown at RepRap 2026 and is FOSS. Good info for others looking at this solution and are looking at cost vs tje price vs 4+ heads is relevant. The HueForge comment was an add-on to help anyone experiencing the issues I had.

All told YMMV. Thanks for providing the link to the thread. Best

4

Sure, but you linked to the Sidecar YouTube and not its discussion thread here. That looks like an oversight.

And there’s another thread about integrating with an ACE Pro: U1 Multi ACE Pro Integration, Stock Firmware, no Soldering

5

The reason for this thread is to highlight the many projects that can augment the Snapmaker U1 with different AMS units. Thanks to CrazyIvan for contributing information about two additional projects and for highlighting the topic of this thread.

I was impressed by the AFC project as it is AMS agnostic. The two AFC developers I met at RepRap were really helpful too.

Adding to this thread: Elegoo just started pre-orders for the CANVAS at a $55 USD price point. This is an amazing as it drastically affects the price/(performance/functionality) of a U1 coupled with a filament changer like an AMS or the CANVAS. (https://us.elegoo.com/products/canvas-for-centauri-carbon, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYt3_3q1Rno).

The devil is in the details, but a software solution like AFC that is hardware agnostic and FOSS seems a really good approach.

I also like the integrated approach taken by SideCar.

Both address different needs at different price points.