An engineer has worked out how to speed up a 3D printer by 1000% with a Nintendo Switch, though ‘for most people, a Raspberry Pi is a better choice’
A YouTuber named Cocoanix has demonstrated a method to dramatically increase 3D printer performance using a Nintendo Switch. By running the open-source Klipper firmware on a Switch with Linux installed, Cocoanix achieved a 1000% speed improvement in 3D printing. In their latest demonstration video, a model that typically requires 90 minutes to print was completed in just 8 minutes.
Klipper is open-source firmware that optimizes 3D printer performance by offloading computational work from the printer itself to a separate device. In this case, the Nintendo Switch serves as that processing device, handling the complex calculations required for the printing process.
While the Nintendo Switch is capable of running Klipper, Cocoanix acknowledges this may not be the optimal choice for most users. The engineer recommends that typical users consider a Raspberry Pi as a more practical alternative for achieving similar performance improvements.
The project aligns with broader concerns about electronic waste reduction. By repurposing an existing device like a Nintendo Switch rather than requiring dedicated hardware, the approach demonstrates creative solutions to maximize the utility of existing technology.