Quadro runs QuadrOS on unforked Klipper, and its slicer, CoPrintSlicer, is built on OrcaSlicer. The source code for both QuadrOS and CoPrintSlicer is published on GitHub, and QuadrOS is kept in step with upstream Klipper. In practice, that means you aren't locked into one company's software, and community improvements can reach your printer.
"Open source" is an easy phrase to print on a box. Here's what it means for Quadro, and what it should mean for any printer you plan to use for years.
What QuadrOS Is
QuadrOS is Quadro's operating system. It runs on a 4.3-inch touchscreen and was designed around a four-toolhead architecture from the start, not adapted to one. The layout of the filaments on the printer is mirrored on screen, so what you see matches what you touch.
From the screen you can:
- see which filament is loaded where and set its brand, type and color,
- watch a colored preview of the print with a live layer count,
- see which toolhead is active and which are parked,
- adjust speed on the fly and skip a failed object mid-print,
- heat, park, calibrate and move all four toolheads together or one at a time.
What "Unforked Klipper" Means
Klipper is open-source 3D printer firmware. Many manufacturers start from it, modify it and then stop following the original project. That copy is called a fork, and over time it often falls behind.
QuadrOS runs on unforked Klipper, and it's kept in step with upstream. When Klipper improves, Quadro can benefit, and community updates aren't lost. For someone buying a printer, the practical result is firmware that doesn't freeze at the date it shipped.
CoPrintSlicer: Built on OrcaSlicer
CoPrintSlicer is a fork of OrcaSlicer, with its profiles and interface adapted for Quadro's four independent toolheads. The workflow is simple:
- Paint the model in the slicer.
- Send it to the printer over the network.
- QuadrOS matches the colors you assigned in the slicer to the filaments actually loaded, and assigns the toolheads itself.
There's no manual mapping of colors to heads. For how the four heads are coordinated during the print, read How Quadro Coordinates Four Independent Toolheads.
Why Open Source Matters for a Printer
- Longevity. Firmware that follows an active open project keeps improving.
- No lock-in. You aren't tied to a single company's tools and roadmap.
- Transparency. Published source code can be inspected, not just trusted.
- Community. Fixes, profiles and ideas come from many people, not one team.
Co Print has worked this way since its first upgrade modules, and QuadrOS has been shaped with feedback from the community that reserved Quadro.
What to Ask Any Manufacturer About Open Source
- Is the firmware published, and can I read it?
- Is the firmware a fork, and if so, does it still track the original project?
- How does the company keep up with upstream changes?
- Which slicer do I use, and is it built on an open one?
- What happens to my printer if the company stops updating it?
Open source isn't a guarantee of an easy experience. What it gives you is control and the ability to keep a printer useful long after launch. For the other questions worth asking before you buy, see our multi-toolhead 3D printer buying guide.
Key Takeaways
- QuadrOS runs on unforked Klipper, and CoPrintSlicer is a fork of OrcaSlicer adapted for Quadro.
- QuadrOS and CoPrintSlicer are published on GitHub, and QuadrOS tracks upstream Klipper.
- You aren't locked into one company's software, and community updates can reach your printer.
- Ask any manufacturer whether their firmware is published, whether it's a fork, and whether it still tracks upstream.
Want to see QuadrOS in action? Explore Quadro or visit the Kickstarter page.
FAQ
Is Quadro open source? Yes. QuadrOS runs on unforked Klipper, CoPrintSlicer is a fork of OrcaSlicer, and the source code for both is published on GitHub.
What does unforked Klipper mean? A fork is a modified copy of software that is maintained separately. Unforked means QuadrOS runs on Klipper itself and is kept in step with upstream, so improvements from the community are not lost.
What slicer does Quadro use? CoPrintSlicer, a fork of OrcaSlicer with profiles and an interface adapted for Quadro's four independent toolheads.
Do I have to assign colors to toolheads manually? No. QuadrOS matches the colors assigned in the slicer to the filaments loaded in the printer and assigns the toolheads automatically.
Why does open source matter when buying a 3D printer? It means published source code you can inspect, no lock-in to one company's software, and firmware updates that continue as the open project improves.
