Products
3D Printers
UltiMaker's 3D printers primarily employ Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) technology, utilizing either 1.75 mm or 2.85 mm filament diameters, with most models supporting dual extrusion for multi-material printing. This approach enables versatile production of prototypes, tools, and end-use parts across desktop and industrial scales, compatible with slicing software like UltiMaker Cura.[33]
The company's early lineup began with the Original series in 2011, offered as a DIY kit with a 205 x 205 x 205 mm build volume, single extrusion, and 2.85 mm filament support, emphasizing open-source accessibility for hobbyists and makers. This evolved into the 2 series from 2013 to 2017, including models like the Ultimaker 2 (launched 2013) and 2+ (2016 variant), which introduced a heated glass build plate reaching up to 100°C, improved feeder systems, and a build volume of 223 x 223 x 205 mm, enhancing reliability for PLA and ABS printing. These printers marked UltiMaker's shift toward professional-grade desktop solutions with swappable nozzles and better cooling for overhangs.[34]
The S series represents UltiMaker's current desktop offerings, focusing on compact, high-performance FFF printers with dual extrusion and advanced features for professional workflows. The S5, released in 2018, features a 330 x 240 x 300 mm build volume, integrated air manager for filtration, and support for materials up to 280°C nozzle temperatures.[35] The S3, introduced in 2019, provides a more compact dual-extrusion design with a 230 x 190 x 200 mm build volume, advanced auto bed leveling, and a touchscreen interface for easier operation.[36] Building on this, the S6 (2025) delivers up to 4x the productivity of prior models through speeds of 500 mm/s and 50,000 mm/s² acceleration via the Cheetah motion planner, maintaining the S5's build volume.[37] The latest S8 (2025) further refines precision to ±0.15 mm, with similar high-speed capabilities and enhanced security features for enterprise use.[29]
In September 2025, UltiMaker introduced the Secure Line, a portfolio of defense-grade 3D printers derived from the S6 and S8 models. Optimized for high-security environments, these printers feature air-gapped operation, USB-only workflows, no Wi-Fi or cameras, and NATO certification, enabling on-demand production in field and secure manufacturing settings while manufactured in the EU.[38]
Following the 2022 merger with MakerBot, UltiMaker integrated the Method series, emphasizing enclosed designs for engineering materials. The Method (launched 2019) supports 1.75 mm filaments in a heated chamber up to 65°C, ideal for ABS with a 200 x 200 x 196 mm build volume and direct-drive extruders.[39] The Method X (2020) adds carbon fiber compatibility for reinforced composites, while the Method XL offers large-format printing at 406 x 355 x 406 mm for batch production of durable prototypes.[40]
For industrial applications, the Factor 4 (2024) provides a 330 x 240 x 300 mm build volume, direct dual extrusion, and high-temperature support up to 340°C for engineering polymers like PEEK, featuring onboard sensors for real-time quality monitoring and automated material handling.[41]
Several early models have been discontinued, including the Original+ (an upgraded kit variant phased out in 2021) and the 2 Go (a portable entry-level version ended in 2021), reflecting UltiMaker's focus on advanced series by 2020.[42][43]
Materials
UltiMaker provides a diverse range of filament materials optimized for fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printing, encompassing standard, engineering-grade, and composite options available in 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm diameters to ensure compatibility across their printer lineup. These materials are NFC-enabled for seamless integration with UltiMaker printers, allowing automatic detection and profile loading via Cura software.[44][45]
Standard filaments form the foundation of UltiMaker's material ecosystem, suitable for a wide array of prototyping and educational applications. PLA, a bio-based thermoplastic derived from renewable resources, offers ease of printing with low warping and good detail resolution, making it ideal for beginners and non-functional models. Tough PLA enhances impact resistance over standard PLA for more durable parts. ABS provides higher temperature resistance and mechanical strength for functional prototypes, though it requires enclosed printing to minimize shrinkage. PETG combines the simplicity of PLA with the toughness of ABS, delivering chemical resistance and flexibility for enclosures and mechanical components. TPU 95A, a flexible thermoplastic polyurethane, enables printing of rubber-like parts with high wear resistance and elasticity, suitable for seals, gaskets, and protective covers.[46][47][48]
Engineering-grade filaments cater to demanding applications requiring enhanced strength, heat tolerance, and chemical resistance. Nylon filaments, including variants like Nylon CF, deliver exceptional toughness and low friction for gears, hinges, and wear-resistant components, but demand careful moisture management due to hygroscopic properties—users are advised to dry them before printing and store in sealed environments. Polycarbonate (PC) offers high impact strength and transparency, ideal for protective covers and structural parts that withstand temperatures up to 110°C. Polypropylene (PP) provides chemical inertness, fatigue resistance, and a low coefficient of friction, making it suitable for fluid-handling prototypes and food-safe applications after proper treatment. These materials often require build chamber heating and adhesion aids to prevent warping.[44][49][50]
Composite filaments incorporate reinforcements like carbon or glass fibers to achieve superior mechanical properties for industrial and end-use parts. Carbon fiber-filled options, such as Nylon Carbon Fiber and PET Carbon Fiber, provide high stiffness and lightweight strength, with tensile moduli up to 7600 MPa, enabling applications in aerospace fixtures, automotive prototypes, and tooling—Nylon Carbon Fiber is particularly noted for its moisture resistance. ABS Carbon Fiber is optimized for the Method series, supporting rigid, dimensionally stable prints. Glass fiber composites, available through certified profiles like Ultrafuse PP GF30, enhance rigidity and thermal stability for manufacturing aids and replacement parts on the Factor 4 printer, where they handle abrasive printing with hardened nozzles. These composites necessitate enclosed, high-temperature environments to maintain fiber integrity.[51][52][53]
Add-ons and bundles
Ultimaker offers dual extrusion upgrades through swappable print cores for its S series printers, enabling multi-material and multi-color printing. The AA print core supports a range of standard materials such as PLA, ABS, CPE, Nylon, PC, TPU, PP, and Breakaway, while the BB print core is optimized for soluble support materials like PVA to facilitate complex geometries with easy removal. Additionally, the CC print core accommodates composites like carbon fiber-reinforced filaments, allowing users to combine engineering-grade materials in dual extrusion setups for enhanced strength and functionality.[56] These print cores feature quick-swap mechanisms and various nozzle sizes (0.25 mm to 0.8 mm), supporting dual extrusion configurations that maintain precision across diverse applications.[58]
To improve environmental control, Ultimaker provides enclosures and air management systems primarily for the S5 printer, which features a built-in front enclosure for temperature stability during printing with temperature-sensitive materials. The optional Air Manager serves as a top enclosure with an integrated EPA filter, capturing up to 95% of ultrafine particles and volatile organic compounds to manage fumes and ensure safer operation in professional settings.[59] While the S3 model includes a front door for basic enclosure, it lacks a dedicated top air manager, relying on room ventilation for fume control.[60] These add-ons enhance print quality by maintaining consistent chamber temperatures and reducing emissions, particularly beneficial for materials like ABS and PC.[61]
Ultimaker bundles combine printers with complementary hardware for streamlined workflows. The S8 Pro Bundle integrates the S8 printer with a Material Station featuring six front-loading spool bays and humidity control at ≤25% relative humidity, alongside an integrated Air Manager for particle filtration, enabling 24/7 unattended printing with automated material switching.[62] Similarly, the Factor 4 printer incorporates built-in industrial-grade ventilation through a HEPA filtration system, supporting high-volume production while minimizing airborne emissions in demanding environments.[56]
Key accessories include filament flow sensors integrated into S series feeders, which monitor material passage in real-time to detect runouts or blockages and pause prints accordingly, preventing failed jobs during long runs.[63] Wi-Fi modules, built into models like the S8, allow remote monitoring and control via UltiMaker Digital Factory, facilitating wireless print job management over secure networks.[64] For legacy systems, community-developed dual extrusion packs for the Ultimaker 2+ enable multi-material capabilities on single-extrusion hardware, though official support focuses on newer S series upgrades.[65]
Pro bundles emphasize production efficiency, such as the S5 Pro Bundle introduced in 2020, which pairs the S5 printer with a Material Station and Air Manager to automate material handling and filtration for extended material ranges.[59] Updates for 2024 models, including the S8 Pro, incorporate advanced feeders inherited from the Factor 4 for better grip on composites and higher speeds, while maintaining compatibility with existing pro bundle components for seamless upgrades.[62]