[3-in-1] Snapmaker Artisan Real-world Test—3D Printing Function

[3-in-1] Snapmaker Artisan Real-world Test—3D Printing Function
A machine that integrates 3D printing, laser cutting and engraving, and CNC machining.

 
Following on from the previous article— Snapmaker Artisan Unboxing and Assembly Introduction , we now move on to the functional testing section. Each function will be covered in a separate article. This time, we will introduce the Artisan 's 3D printing, and as in the previous article, the testing will be conducted by All3DP and Tom's Hardware . To find out the test results, please read on!

Previous Articles
1. Unboxing Review
2. Laser engraving and cutting
3. CNC Sharp Machine

To perform 3D printing , you only need to install the 3D printing tool head, the heated bed, and its removable glass printing plate!

PEI coated side : Suitable for most materials , easy to demold;
Plain glass side : Suitable for printing ABS or printing where a smooth bottom is required.

The Snapmaker Artisan features an all-metal hot end and can handle PETG, ABS, and nylon. The direct-drive design should also be able to handle TPU, but the Luban configuration requires further tweaking.

Calibrate Snapmaker Artisan

Each time a 3D printing head is installed, the Snapmaker Artisan requires calibration. The machine can automatically detect the installed head and prompt for the corresponding calibration, with the control screen displaying what needs to be done at each step. For 3D printing , the Artisan uses a "smart" probe mounted on the left nozzle for leveling. The print bed is fixed and cannot be manually adjusted; the probe will move 25 points, then you will be prompted to set the Z offset of the two nozzles using paper.

The dual-nozzle system requires a third calibration to ensure X and Y axis alignment. The machine will automatically prompt you to perform a test print .

Load consumables on Snapmaker Artisan

Loading supplies on the Snapmaker Artisan is very simple. The machine has a reverse Bowden tube that guides the supplies from the outside of the housing to the tool head. The machine can detect if supplies are loaded and will prompt you to load supplies after changing the tool head.

The initial loading process is guided step-by-step by a full-color photo on the touchscreen. To change colors, tap "Control" → " Filament " and use the temperature adjustment knob to set the heating temperature for each nozzle. Once the correct temperature is reached, the " Load " and " Unload " buttons will activate, feeding the material through the Bowden tube to the top of the tool head. Press " Load " and apply pressure to the material; the gears will engage and deliver it to the hot end. To unload the material, simply reverse the process.

Actual measurements of different materials

PLA

After calibration, Tom's Hardware performed its first print , choosing a pencil mug design from the Snapmaker Luban library. This pencil mug demonstrated how to create a seemingly impossible print using the provided split support material, taking 4 hours and 54 minutes to complete using the default " Normal " settings: 0.16mm layer height and 100mm/s speed. While the split support material was somewhat stubborn, it was eventually removed cleanly. This print was made using Snapmaker's black PLA and white split PLA.

Next, I tried using the IDEX jar designed by Bugman_140 for two-color printing . The printing effect was excellent, and the colors did not mix! Using Snapmaker's black PLA and Inland's red PLA, this jar took 6 hours and 30 minutes, with a layer height of 0.16mm and a speed of 100mm/s.

Artisan's massive print bed is perfect for printing cosplay, so a Mandalorian helmet was printed . This wearable helmet measures 225 x 276 x 242mm, which is slightly large for a typical Ender 3 printer , but still has plenty of room for Artisan's 400x400mm print bed.

The default support setup is very sturdy, and Tom's Hardware testers were a bit confused about how to remove it, but believe the final support marks will require sanding and polishing.

Printing would have been cleaner if the supports had covered the entire eye opening. Tom's Hardware believes this was partly their mistake, as the Luban has a brushable support feature; adding more supports would have removed unnecessary ones from the center of the helmet, saving 9 hours of printing time and at least 300 grams of consumables. The layering is somewhat rough, but this was done at full speed: 0.2mm layer height, 160mm/s speed, taking 54 hours and 26 minutes, using Inland white PLA and Protopasta colored recycled PLA 005.

ABS

During high-temperature printing , some RC car parts were printed using ABS, which requires extreme durability. Printing larger ABS parts is generally difficult, so the machine housing was kept warm, the fan was turned off, and a homemade ABS paste was used to adhere the parts. The paste is made by dissolving ABS fragments in acetone; after the acetone evaporates, a thin sheet of ABS remains for printing . These parts printed cleanly at a 255°C hot end and a 100°C print bed without any problems. The printing time was 11 hours and 30 minutes, with a layer height of 0.2 mm and a speed of 100 mm/s.

TPU

The TPU performance was somewhat disappointing and did not meet expectations. Artisan 's direct drive unit fed the material well and handled it well, but the preset settings resulted in a lot of stringing between the ears. The print time was 6 hours and 39 minutes, with a layer height of 0.24mm and a speed of 30mm/s. Inland TPU was used.

Enhanced 3D printing experience – don't miss out!

All3DP believes Artisan's 3D printing experience is superior to Snapmaker 2.0. While not the fastest, it represents a significant improvement. 3D printing speed is a hot topic in the market, especially with the emergence of Bambu Labs. Compared to them, Artisan has its shortcomings, but also its unique strengths.

Because Artisan parts need to withstand the pressure of CNC machining , the speed is naturally somewhat limited, but this also means it is more durable. In our numerous tests, although some prints required post-processing to reach display quality, the dual extrusion performance was still quite good. The new print core system is impressive, enabling smarter printing strategies.

The box contains only a 0.4mm core, a configuration that makes large prints take days to complete, especially considering the Artisan's large print volumes. This is indeed a challenge, but Snapmaker's partitioned heating feature for the Artisan is impressive, meaning smaller items can be printed faster while saving energy.

The two hot ends can heat up to 300°C, enabling the printing of more challenging high-temperature materials, while Artisan's enclosed structure effectively retains heat. However, the included nozzle is made of brass and is therefore unsuitable for abrasive materials. A built-in calibration program makes synchronizing the two print cores a breeze.

In summary, the Artisan is a 3D printer worth considering, especially suitable for users who demand high print quality and versatility. If you're looking for a printer that balances speed and accuracy, the Artisan is undoubtedly your best choice!