Snapmaker launches TPU-90A flexible filament with RFID tag for U1 3D printer

Snapmaker has introduced a new TPU-90A flexible filament for its U1 FDM/FFF printer, expanding its material portfolio with a softer Shore 90A durometer option. The material is designed for shock-absorbing and compliant parts such as insoles, protective pads, packaging inserts, handles, and watch straps. It features an integrated RFID tag for automatic profile loading on the U1, and is available in black, white, and gray at €41.99 per kilogram. Snapmaker recommends printing at 30–50 mm/s with nozzle temperatures of 210–240°C, and advises against using a 0.2 mm nozzle or automatic feeding due to extrusion resistance.

This launch sits within the polymer material extrusion segment, where material differentiation is becoming a key competitive axis for desktop printer OEMs. By offering a softer TPU variant with RFID-enabled workflow integration, Snapmaker targets the growing maker and light-industrial demand for functional, flexible parts without manual profile tuning. The Beam Interlocking feature for multi-material bonding with PLA, PETG, PA, and PET addresses a common pain point in hybrid printing - weak layer adhesion at material boundaries. This positions the U1 ecosystem more directly against Bambu Lab and Prusa, which have also expanded their material lines, though Snapmaker’s RFID approach reduces setup friction for less experienced users.

For users, the TPU-90A fills a practical gap between rigid filaments and harder TPU 95A, enabling softer touch and vibration-damping applications on a single printer. Snapmaker must ensure the RFID profiles remain accurate across batch variations and that the drying recommendation (six hours at 70°C) is clearly communicated to avoid print failures. This is a measured, incremental addition that strengthens the U1’s versatility without redefining the desktop AM landscape.