snapmaker review

SnapMaker 2.0 Review

Do you know, the only limitation with 3D printing is YOU… and if you’ve heard one of the most-funded Kickstarter projects – Snapmaker, your creativity can easily be sky-rocketed.

If you’re still not sure about the potentials of the Snapmaker 3-in-1 3d printer, then this Snapmaker review is all you need to know the ins and outs of this laser engraving and cutting device.

Unlike regular 3d printers, the SnapMaker 2.0., following tri-modular design, is a machine that has gained a huge following of excited makers.

This flexible 3d printer is quick to build and offers precision and high-quality results across three disciplines – 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC carving.

Pros 

  • 3-in-1 machine
  • Slick, well-built quality
  • Easy to use software

Cons 

  • Retooling and calibration are time-consuming
  • A bit noisy

Let’s quickly delve into its features, starting from its well-designed built.

Design and Frame

Design and Frame

The SnapMaker is no different when it comes to the results of either 3D printers, laser cutters, or CNC machines; your masterpiece will arrive in bits with a sheet of instructions detailing you to go about it. 

In terms of built quality, the Snapmaker 2.0 is well reliable and robust than usual 3D printers or laser cutters; though a minimal – around 20 mins – assembly is required, but worth a shot. 

Worry not; all the assembling instructions are given in an incredibly clear and simple language. 

Talking about its frame, which is designed out of a large solid H frame with the tool head supported with metal columns, containing all the electronics yet movable parts internally, that’s what makes the machine look smarter than its competitors. 

Since everything is machined metal, so no expense has been kept aside for its finishing and anodising.

In case if there’s a power cut while performing a job, Snapmaker 2.0’s useful feature – power loss recovery – will automatically restart the given job once the power is established. 

This 3D printer follows an open frame, making it easy to work on and maintain; though being physically open, the printer doesn’t look unprofessional or rough.

Before moving to its Snapmaker 3-in-1 3d Printer features, let’s quickly overview what Snapmaker 2.0 Printer can do.

Snapmaker 3-in-1 Specifications

Bear repeating, the specifications are of three different modules, or you can say three different operations, including;

1. Snapmaker 3D Printing

SNAPMAKER 3D PRINTING

The printer boasts a build space of 125 x 125 x 125mm (4.9″ x 4.9″ x 4.9″), supporting a couple of materials including, not limited to, ABS, PLA, etc. The filament diameter supported is 1.75 mm.

Rest assured that the Snapmaker 2 3d printer does not support Alumide, graphite, and a couple of others – so do give it a check, as the non-friendly materials would damage the machine. With this 3D printer, you can achieve a resolution of up to 300 microns.

Following a travel speed of 100 mm/s, this ed printer has a nozzle of 0.4 mm diameter and can attain the temperature up to 275ºC; isn’t great with respect to material choice?

Stress not, the Luban software can accept, other than STL and OBJ file formats and proprietary, third-party software as well.

2. Snapmaker Laser Engraving

SNAPMAKER LASER ENGRAVING

Using the same workspace of 125 x 125mm (4.9″ x 4.9″), one can utilize this machine for a decent laser engraving, using the given power of 200mW with a wavelength of 405nm.

Just like the 3D printer, you can engrave on plenty of materials, including plastic, wood, leather, non-transparent acrylic, bamboo fabric, paper, and many others.

Once again, do get to know what materials such as metal, transparent material, gem, glass, and others – can never be used.

To use the 3d printer for laser engraving, expand the machine and replace the existing one to a 1600mW laser module.

Files can be handled via the SnapMaker Luban software that is friendlier to SVG, PNG, JPG, JPEG, BMP, and DXF file formats.

A nice feature of the laser cutter is the camera that lets you see the size of the material being used against the design before starting to make cuts.

3. Snapmaker CNC Carving

SNAPMAKER CNC CARVING

For CNC carving, the machine boasts a 3.175mm shank diameter with 19,000 RPM, limiting the work area to 90 x 90 x 50 mm (3.5″ x 3.5″ x 2.0″).

You can do CNC carvings on multiple materials such as PCB, wood, acrylic, carbon fiber sheet, and some others. The supported files are STEP, SVG, IGES, IGS, DWG, DXF, and others; you can also use third-party applications.

To change from a 3D printer to any other medium, simply unbolt the tool head and build platform, then replace it with the tool head and the corresponding plate.

Make sure that the swapping tool head from one to the other is not instant, it takes around five-ten minutes, and then there’s the calibration process; though time-consuming, operations are relatively easy and straightforward.

Note: Once you’ve swapped tools and run calibrations a couple of times, you’ll find the process easier. Or, else watch SnapMaker video tutorials showing how different modes are set-up and calibrated. 

Features of Snapmaker 3-in-1 3d Printer

More of the features, the easier the operations get; this is what Snapmaker 3-in-1 printer is practicing; to ensure easier usability, this 3-in-1 printer has plenty of features.

Here are just a few of the most notable ones that you’re sure to appreciate.

  • LCD Touchscreen – On the machine, there’s a 5-inch (720x1280px) touch screen – to function its operations, preview models, calibrate, and to open stored files. The touch screen runs on Android OS and also features a Quad-Core A7 CPU @1.1GHz.
  • Heated Bed – A heated bed is what makes a significant difference to 3D printing. Snapmaker’s 3-in-1 printer got your back; it has a heated bed that can go up to 80 degrees Celsius. It means you’ll have an easier time printing things for warping or those materials that are difficult to manage.
  • Multiple Filament support – Unlike other 3D printers, Snapmaker supports ABS, PLA, and several other filament types – freedom to print anything using different textures and properties. You can also design models with third party filament as well.

Snapmaker 2.0 Set-up and Calibration overview

The initial set-up process takes around an hour, or less, including unpacking and assembling, even the construction is quick and simple. One can find video tutorials, too, to make the entire process trouble-free.

The design and quality of the parts are sturdier enough; it’s very little for anything that might go wrong during the installation process; once switched on, with a heated bed installed, you’re good to go. 

When it comes to calibration, you need to wait for a little – around 10 minutes; don’t worry, you’ll be guided through the process. 

A sneakpeak of Snapmaker’s Quality and Performance 

3D Printing 

The heavy SnapMaker 2.0 features robust construction, contributing to the surprisingly accurate print quality; so, load the models to the SnapMaker Luban software, and let all the usual parameters to be adjusted and previewed before sending the file across.

The printing time was quite long compared to other mid to high-end 3D printers, as Snapmaker deals more with the precision of the modeling.

The only annoyances with the 3D printing were the noise and a small amount of stringing that I have witnessed during the fine flow control; maybe a slight tweak of the retraction setting could eliminate this entirely.

Laser Cutting

As I screwed down the metal bed and installed the laser tool head, the calibration began; the only adjustment I did after was the laser focus height. 

Once done, I loaded the material and then looked in the small camera next to the laser enabling the accurate positioning of the material against the work area. 

Once all is prepared, I wear the provided safety glasses and hit go. Cutting and engraving timings were great, while the final result was awe-inspiring. 

CNC Carvings

Compared with the other two modules, setting Snapmaker 3D printer for CNC carvings took considerably longer, or maybe it’s unfamiliarity with the CNC. 

However, the clear and easy-to-direct documentation, online videos, and software helped me a lot – to get started. 

Unlike 3D print and laser, loading your model and material for CNC requires a little more input. 

User Software

Built with the Snapmaker 3-in-1 3D printer is the Snapmakerjs software that works with all three modules; the software is interactive, allowing users to perform tasks and create objects with creativity. 

Furthermore, this device also supports a wide range of third-party software; it’s Luban software. It is available for Mac, PC, and Linux, ensuring that everything is connected and running incredibly well. 

The specialized software needs improvement because it has a few issues and bugs. Apart from that, the software of Snapmaker 2.0 is a 3-in-1 software; however, it has a cluttered interface with multiple windows and functions. The user interface needs tidying up because navigation becomes challenging with so many windows and functions cluttering the interface.

Another significant problem with the software is that it sometimes loses connection with the 3D printer. Although you can resume your 3D project after entering a new spool, this doesn’t always fix the problem. 

THE NOISE

The Snapmaker 2.0 3D printers are noisy. Although they have a compact size, they produce a lot of noise. For home use, you would need to shut the door of your room while printing and also use some hearing protection. We recommend having a dedicated space (preferably soundproof) for operating Snapmaker 2.0 to avoid creating a disturbance in your house.  

Typically these machines are very noisy. Although all laser engravers/cutters, CNC, or 3D printers make noise, Snapmaker 2.0’s noise is louder than its competitors.

Customer service 

The company offers optimum customer service, replying to issues raised by the user round the clock. Also, the parts replacement that falls within the warranty period is also simple and easy.

Snapmaker Original 3-in-1 Video Review

Our Verdict 

Snapmaker 3-in-1 3D printer is a great option for creatives – not just for educational purposes, but for many practical applications too.

Just a few limitations, you have the freedom to design and create everything, anything with precision, providing the best results.

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