Dutch 3D printing company Ultimaker has made a series of product announcements today. First, it has launched its latest 3D printer, the Ultimaker S3. The new machine, the second release in the company’s S-line 3D printer series, is described as a compact and affordable system with “composite-ready performance.” Second, Ultimaker has unveiled the Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle, which comprises its S5 3D printer as well as the new Air Manager and Material Station systems.
Introducing the Ultimaker S3
With a smaller footprint than the industrial Ultimaker S5, the S3 offers users a solution for 3D printing production parts at their desk. The new machine boasts a build volume of 230 x 190 x 200 mm and overall dimensions of 394 x 489 x 637 mm. The new 3D printer also integrates Ultimaker’s open ecosystem as well as predefined print settings that make it easier to print high quality parts without fiddling with print parameters.
In terms of hardware features, the Ultimaker S3 is equipped with hardened steel feeder wheels and a CC print core, which make the machine compatible with a broad range of 2.85 mm filaments (including PLA, ABS, Nylon, abrasive materials and third-party filaments). The printer also includes a heated build plate with advanced active leveling, a stiffer build platform and highly precise stepper drivers.
The Ultimaker S3
A dual filament flow sensor system alerts users when filament is running low and will automatically pause the 3D print job if material runs out, while an intuitive touch interface makes the 3D printer easy to use. Ultimaker also adds that the S3 has wider nozzle coverage within the build space, offering an increased build-volume-to-size ratio. In terms of speed, the S3 matches the S5 with a < 24 mm ³/s build rate.
“I am proud that we managed to pack all the latest breakthrough technology into a machine with the form-factor of the Ultimaker 3,” commented Paul Heiden, Senior Vice President Product Management at Ultimaker. “The accessible Ultimaker S3 is capable of reliably manufacturing smaller parts and models at a price-point that removes the barrier to entry for entrepreneurs and SMEs to adopt 3D printing.
“Now, anyone who wants to start leveraging Ultimaker’s flexible, powerful 3D printing system can do so and make full use of all materials with print profiles available in the Marketplace in Ultimaker Cura. We passionately believe that the ability for more businesses to affordably disrupt markets with rapidly developed, locally manufactured parts and models, makes the Ultimaker S3 a no-brainer. And we’re excited to see how our customers take advantage of this new opportunity.”
The new 3D printer, available as of today through Ultimaker’s global partner network, has a retail price of $4,395.
Manufacturing on Demand
Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle
In addition to releasing its latest 3D printer, Ultimaker has also introduced the Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle, which consists of the S5 3D printer, the new Ultimaker S5 Air Manager and Ultimaker S5 Material Station. The new offering is designed to operate 24/7 without attendance, giving engineers and other users the ability to increase productivity and improve workflows.
Let’s take a closer look at the three elements of the new bundle. The primary product in the offering is, of course, the Ultimaker S5 3D printer, which was launched in April 2018 and is designed for producing functional prototypes, manufacturing tools and end-use parts.
The Air Manager
The Ultimaker S5 Air Manager, for its part, offers a closed, inside-out air flow for the 3D printer, which ensures a controlled environment inside the print chamber. The Air Manager system also filters out 95% of ultra-fine particles during the print process, which makes it possible to safely print more types of materials.
Lastly, the Ultimaker S5 Material Station is an automated material management system which allows for 24/7 dual extrusion workflows. The system comprises of six material loading bays with abrasive-resistant pre-feeders. The system effectively allows users to load up filament spools (including glass and carbon fiber composites) and then not worry about having to manually feed new spools when one runs out. The fully enclosed Material Station also maintains optimal conditions for filament spools—below 40% relative humidity—using silica gel extracts.
“The Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle truly embodies the meaning of hassle-free 3D printing,” Heiden said. “Our goal is to make 3D printing easy, reliable and accessible in order to accelerate the world’s transition to digital distribution and local manufacturing. We have heard many professional users express a need for a more enclosed 3D printing environment and we understand the desire for good, dry material storage and smart material handling in order to reduce the risks of humidity, dust and human error. The Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle tackles it all and completes our vision of the ultimate office 3D printing experience. This solution enables users to take their 3D printing applications to a new level of quality and consistency, with greater flexibility, efficiency and confidence.”
The Material Solution
Overall, the Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle aims to take Ultimaker’s 3D printing towards production environments by offering an even more reliable and automated process.
Roger Sijlbing, Sales Manager at BASF Additive Manufacturing, commented on the new offering, saying: “At BASF, we develop engineering materials for additive manufacturing to enable industrial solutions. Whether you’re on a shop floor, R&D lab, or an office, a safe environment is key. The added value of the Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle is the ability to manage a material’s environment during printing, and we have experienced first-hand the influence moisture uptake and airflow can have on the mechanical properties of a printed part. These new solutions are great additions to enable industrial applications with FFF printing.”
The Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle will become available as of October 18, 2019 and is retailing for $9,100.
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Author: Tess Boissonneault
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