Snapmaker and xTool supposedly joined forces for another Prusa XL clone
The Atomic Layers: S8E28 (00234)
Atomic Layer of the Day:
Just before the Bambu Lab H2D launch, when we were still relying solely on leaks, I presented to you a rather interesting-looking 3D printer from a completely new Chinese company called WonderMaker, which is about to debut on Kickstarter.
Unlike the H2D, which introduced key innovations like a dual-head extruder and independent laser engraving (and writing) modules, WonderMaker decided to create its own alternative to the Prusa XL and release a 3D printer with swappable printing modules.
But it turns out WonderMaker isn't the only one with this plan. This week, the first leaks appeared showing a joint project from other Chinese companies - Snapmaker and xTool - using the same idea.
Now, things are looking very interesting... Snapmaker is a leading (at least until now) manufacturer of multi-tool 3D printers that combine 3D printing with CNC milling and laser engraving. On the other hand, xTool is a company that mainly produces laser plotters.
So theoretically, we should expect some kind of laser giga-combo, but instead we're getting a Prusa XL clone that looks like a copy of WonderMaker.
The 3D printer is said to have four independent print heads, a build volume of approximately 270 × 268 × 270 mm, and speeds up to 500 mm/s. There are also suspicions of Klipper firmware integration and a connection with a slicer based on OrcaSlicer or Luban.
However, these are all just speculations, and we still need to wait for technical details and official confirmations. It's also unclear whether this is a market-ready product or just a prototype. Neither Snapmaker nor xTool have issued any official statements yet.
What we do know is that Bambu Lab seems to be going in a different direction than the rest of the Chinese desktop 3D printer manufacturers. Because if two companies have already presented nearly identical designs based on the same main feature (independent print heads à la Prusa XL), it seems to be only a matter of time before the rest of the gang - Creality, Elegoo, Anycubic and countless others - follow this path.
Atomic Layer from the Past:
03-28-2016: Solidoodle announced the suspension of operations.
‘2013 in AM’ - brand new history book! GET IT NOW!
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