SnapMatrix for SnapMaker U1 - Smart LED Status Display

SnapMatrix - Real-Time LED Dashboard for Snapmaker Printers

Transform your 3D printing setup with SnapMatrix - a real-time, 32x8 LED matrix dashboard designed exclusively for Snapmaker 3D printers. This project combines a 3D-printed housing with custom ESP32 firmware and a Windows server application to give you a vibrant, at-a-glance view of your printer's status.

🔗 Get the Software & Full Instructions Here:

SnapMatrix GitHub Repository



🛠 What It Does

SnapMatrix monitors your Snapmaker printer over your local network and displays live metrics and eye-catching animations on a WS2812B LED matrix.

Features include:

• Live Progress Monitoring: View print completion percentage, time remaining, and layer count.

• Real-Time Temperatures: Keep an eye on nozzle and heated bed temperatures.

• Status Animations: Unique, colorful animations for every printer state:

  • 🟢 Idle: "READY TO PRINT!"

  • 🔥 Heating Bed: Red animated heating bed icon with live temperatures.

  • ♨ Heating Nozzle: Orange/red dripping plastic nozzle animation.

  • 🟦 Leveling Bed: Animated blue probe testing the bed with live probe counts.

  • 🔵 Printing: Scrolling stats with customizable progress bar modes.

  • 🟠 Paused: Pulsing amber pause bars.

  • 🔴 Cancelled: Scrolling red stop signs.

  • ⚠ Failed: Scrolling yellow warning triangles.

  • ✨ Finished: Green firework celebration!

  • 🔃 Loading/Unloading Filament: Cyan animated arrows.

• Screensaver Mode: When idle, the matrix automatically dims and displays the current time and your local weather.

• Web Dashboard: Control everything from your browser! Adjust brightness, pick custom colors for text and backgrounds, toggle sleep mode, and manage settings.

🛒 Hardware Requirements

To build your own SnapMatrix, you will need:

1. ESP32 Development Board (Amazon Link) - NodeMCU, WROOM, or similar.

2. 32x8 WS2812B Flexible LED Matrix (Amazon Link) - Flexible PCB version is highly recommended to fit the curves of this housing.

3. 5V Power Supply (3A or higher recommended to ensure stable brightness).

4. Connecting Wires (Only 3 wires needed: 5V, GND, and Data to GPIO 13).

5. A Windows PC (To run the lightweight, background server application).

6. Optional but recommended: A few standard M3 or M4 screws for assembly (the design is intended to accommodate standardized everyday hardware).

🖨 Printing Instructions

• Material: PLA, PETG, or ABS/ASA.

• Supports: The models are designed to print support-free! Be sure to orient the parts correctly on your build plate.

• Infill: Standard 15% - 20% is sufficient.

• Brim: I didn't use one but have Biqu Cryogrip plate. 

💻 Software Setup (Zero Coding Required!)

I've made the software installation as easy as possible. You do not need to install the Arduino IDE or compile any code unless you want to!

1. Flash the Firmware: Plug your ESP32 into your computer via USB. Open the SnapMatrix Web Flasher in Chrome or Edge and click "Install".

2. Connect to Wi-Fi: Connect your phone or computer to the "SnapMatrix-Setup" Wi-Fi network and enter your home Wi-Fi details.

3. Install the Server: Download the SnapMatrix Server from the GitHub repository and run the installer on your Windows PC.

4. Configure: Open the Web Dashboard from your system tray, enter your Snapmaker's IP address (or use the built-in Network Scanner), and customize your colors!

If you build a SnapMatrix, I'd love to see a make! Happy printing!