We’ve gathered the most frequently asked questions from the U1 community and compiled them here for easy reference. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask in the forum.
We know many of you are also curious about the launch price and date. These details aren’t ready to be shared just yet, but we’ll keep you updated as soon as we can.
What is the timeline from the launch of the Kickstarter campaign to the shipment of the units?
Shipping priority will be based on both the Kickstarter backer number and the order in which the deposit is placed. Users who place a deposit early and support the campaign early on Kickstarter will be prioritized for shipment.
Shipping time may also vary slightly depending on the destination country or region.
Compared with our previous Kickstarter campaigns, we have made significant improvements in production planning and fulfillment to reduce the waiting time and provide a better overall experience for backers.
Our goal is to keep the time between the end of the campaign and the actual delivery to users within three months. In particular, we aim to ensure that the first two batches are shipped within this three-month target.
More details about the shipping timeline and policy will be announced when the campaign goes live on Kickstarter.
How fast and reliable is the tool changing on the U1?
A single toolhead switch takes around 5 seconds. This includes the time from placing the first printhead back at the prime tower to picking up the second one and positioning it at the tower. The process is designed for both speed and consistency, ensuring reliable tool changes throughout long prints.
As for reliability, we’ve conducted dedicated durability tests using multiple machines, each running over 1 million toolhead switches without any mechanical failures. This extensive testing gives us strong confidence in the long-term mechanical stability of the system.
Is there a nozzle every toolhead or is it using one nozzle? How is calibration?
Each printhead has its own dedicated hotend. The toolheads are equipped with built-in sensors and support automatic calibration. We recommend manually cleaning the hotend tip before calibration to ensure accuracy.
Will review units be sent to independent testers (e.g., CNC Kitchen) before the Kickstarter campaign ends?
Yes, we are working with independent reviewers, but the reviewer list will not be made public at this time.
Please follow our YouTube channel for updates as soon as they become available.
Is the chamber passively or actively heated? If active, to what temp?
The U1 uses passive heat retention. It does not feature active chamber heating.
What slicer/software will the U1 use?
The Snapmaker U1 supports Snapmaker Orca and Orcaslicer. You can import standard G-code files for printing.
Will klipper/firmware be open source, or Snapmaker’s own version?
The Snapmaker U1 runs on Klipper firmware, providing faster processing speeds and greater flexibility for advanced features.
More information is still being evaluated, and we’ll keep the community updated as things progress.
Which nozzles and filaments are best suited for the U1?
The Snapmaker U1 comes equipped with 4 standard 0.4 mm hotends, along with one spare hotend, ideal for balancing print quality and speed. The hotends used are standard 304 stainless steel models.
Filament compatibility (more materials and material combination tests are still ongoing. Stay tuned!):
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Basic Material Compatibility: PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA
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With Optional Seal Cover (Coming Soon): PET ABS, ASA
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With Seal Cover & Hardened Steel Hotend(Coming Soon): PC, PA, PA-CF, PA-GF (more options in testing)
We’re continuing to test more material combinations to expand compatibility. Please refer to the U1 product page for the latest updates.
How long will it take from unpacking to first print?
Not including the time to install the Snapmaker App and Snapmaker Orca, it takes about 120 minutes from unboxing to the first print. This includes approximately 15 minutes for unboxing, 40 minutes for assembly, and 65 minutes for initial setup and calibration.
Please note: The calibration process is mostly automated, but a few manual steps such as placing and removing the PEI sheet are still needed.
What is the usable bed size?
The actual usable bed size is 270mm*270mm.
Regarding questions about the Purge Tower, Prime Tower, or Zero Purge on the U1.
Great question! When we say “Zero Purge,” we’re referring to eliminating what is colloquially referred to as “filament poop”.
This is the waste caused by purging and cutting in filament changer systems, where a single hotend handles multiple filaments. In those systems, the hotend has to be thoroughly purged whenever switching materials to avoid cross-contamination. That process typically produces a lot of waste.
Snapmaker U1 is different. It uses a toolchanger system, where each filament is assigned its own dedicated printhead. Since there’s no need to flush out the old material, there’s no need to purge.
Now, the U1 does still create waste in the form of a small tower, which we call the prime tower. It’s used to clear small amounts of degraded filament that may have sat in a heated hotend during standby. This helps stabilize extrusion and ensures clean starts after switching heads, avoiding issues like oozing or poor layer bonding.
So yes, generally, Snapmaker U1 does create some waste, but massively less than filament changing systems, which produce both purge and prime waste.
That’s how U1 delivers clean, efficient multi-material printing that lives up to the “Zero Purge” promise.
Learn more about Snapmaker U1:
Product page: Snapmaker U1 | Multi-Color 3D Printer on Kickstarter Now
FAQ: https://support.snapmaker.com/hc/en-us/articles/33344279396759-FAQ-for-Snapmaker-U1-3D-Printer