UltiMaker Factor 4 is the company’s latest flagship solution to support light industrial applications
NEW YORK and GELDERMALSEN, The Netherlands, April 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — UltiMaker, a global leader in 3D printing, today announces the release of the UltiMaker Factor 4 industrial-grade 3D printer, designed to take manufacturing to new levels of efficiency and reliability. Factor 4 is an end-to-end 3D printing solution for light industrial applications.
The UltiMaker Factor 4 3D printer is engineered for the development and production of process-critical tools and components. With support for engineering materials, direct drive dual extrusion, onboard print quality reporting, temperature-controlled build volume, and other innovative features, it delivers high levels of predictability and minimal variance. Built on over a decade of dedication to openness and accessibility, the machine will support one of the widest material portfolios on the market for a variety of applications, including end use parts, functional prototyping, manufacturing tools, and small batch manufacturing of auxiliary components and spares.
Factor 4 offers a temperature-controlled build volume of 330 x 240 x 300 mm and uniform bed heating, ensuring consistent performance across the entire build plate. Designed for manufacturing and industrial sectors, it launches with a new high-temperature print core that allows engineers to print up to 340°C, enabling a broader range of high-performance, temperature-resistant, and durable materials, such as the new UltiMaker PPS CF, a high-temperature composite material. The machine efficiently uses the heated bed and actively controlled chamber airflow to manage the build volume temperature up to 70°C, ensuring optimal material-specific processing conditions and consistent part quality wherever the 3D printer is located.
With tests proving over 95% print completion success and a dimensional accuracy within ± 0.2 mm or ± 0.2% of the feature nominal length, Factor 4 exemplifies consistency across multiple machines, making it suitable for manufacturing verified parts on a larger scale. Its versatility, reliability, and user-friendly interface make it a standout choice for industries looking to streamline their production processes and expedite product development. With Cura 5.7.1’s latest print profiles for Factor 4, engineering materials like PET-CF and Nylon can be printed at productivity rates comparable to Tough PLA and PETG, thereby doubling print speed in comparison to the UltiMaker S series.1
Michiel Alting von Geusau, CEO at UltiMaker, mentioned, “Our dedication to our clients extends beyond merely supplying a 3D printer. We provide an all-encompassing 3D printing ecosystem, inclusive of hardware, software, materials, education, and support. Through our comprehensive support, we guide customers in understanding the intricacies of 3D printing and pinpointing lucrative opportunities. We believe there’s immense untapped potential in the light industrial market, and our product, Factor 4, can help clients break new ground in this sector. Owing to its efficiency and adaptability, Factor 4 guarantees a fast return on investment, empowering businesses to leverage the advantages of 3D printing.”
An overview of UltiMaker Factor 4 follows:
Industrial-Gauge Performance: Factor 4 is forged from durable steel, aluminum, and glass, making it ideal for on-site operations. It has a triple-insulated build-volume, closed-loop and direct-drive dual extrusion, automatic inductive bed leveling, and a PEI-coated flexible build plate, guaranteeing consistency in production, even for intricate and challenging designs. The all-new H-bridge gantry and an unyielding all-metal frame facilitate high-speed movement and precision.
Automatic Material Handling and Storage: The integrated material handling system operates with low moisture, providing reliable print job management for engineers. Kept under 15% humidity, the climate-controlled material station can house up to six spools of filament, maintaining their optimal condition. The system is equipped with an automatic material change feature, allowing for seamless switch-over between spools and ensuring continuous printing, which is necessary for long-term printing jobs.
Expanded Material Diversity: This new printer broadens the scope of high-performance, industrial-grade materials. This means it is capable of producing parts with verified structural integrity, using materials ranging from flexible ones to high-temperature composites like the UltiMaker PPS CF. The UltiMaker PPS CF is a semi-crystalline material reinforced with carbon fibres, with a temperature resistance over 230°C and flame retardant properties. It’s a high-performance alternative to steel or aluminium for less critical parts, leading to novel industrial applications.
Seamless Workflow Integration: The latest UltiMaker Cura 5.7.1 version comes with fresh print profiles for Factor 4, customized and fine-tuned for supreme print quality and performance. With UltiMaker material and print core auto recognition in Cura, Factor 4 offers a smooth 3D printing experience. This printer is compatible with major CAD software as well.
Powerful Onboard Print Process Reporting: The printer comprises a 7″ capacitive touch screen and an array of sensors situated within the print head, build volume, and automated material loading system. These sensors collect real-time data on printer and material performance and produce comprehensive reports post every print job, making part validation and quality control simpler.
Modular System for Simplified Maintenance: The printer offers a modular design that allows for easy repairs and maintenance, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity.
“With Factor 4, we are introducing a reliable industrial-grade solution that provides a solid long-term investment,” said Andrea Gasperini, Product Manager, B2B Solutions, at UltiMaker. “Our focus remains on releasing products that can meet current needs and adapt and improve over time. Factor 4 delivers the reliability that UltiMaker products are known for, while also being able to seamlessly integrate alongside other industrial machinery and production processes.”
Materials available for the Factor 4 include UltiMaker PPS CF and other UltiMaker-branded materials, such as PLA, Tough PLA, nylon, PETG, PET CF, and PVA, as well as validated materials from BASF Forward AM, Kimya, Polymaker, LEHVOSS, Jabil, and more suppliers. Factor 4 is compatible with materials on the UltiMaker Marketplace, with 250 pre-tuned print profiles. Factor 4 supports 2.85 mm filament.
The printer is equipped with an integrated HEPA filter and a large red STOP button, ensuring safer 3D printing anywhere in factory or office environments.
The Factor 4 is expected to begin shipping in May 2024. Reach out to a certified UltiMaker partner to find a Factor 4 showroom near you.
For more information on the UltiMaker Factor 4, visit ultimaker.com/factor-4/.
The Factor 4 will be on display at HANNOVER MESSE from April 22-26, 2024, in Hannover, Germany, in Hall 17 booth D35. UltiMaker experts will be on hand at the booth to discuss the company’s additive manufacturing solutions for the industrial sector. Andrea Gasperini, product manager, B2B Solutions, at UltiMaker will also present on the power of additive manufacturing for production on April 22 at 4PM CET in Hall 17 booth B40.
UltiMaker will also exhibit and showcase Factor 4 and other professional 3D printing solutions at TCT Asia in Shanghai, from May 7-9, 2024, in booth 8F90 at National Exhibition and Convention Center Hall 8.1.
Customer and Partner Testimonials
Johannes Karl, Head of Customer 3D Solutions at Krones
“The UltiMaker Factor 4 has been incredible. The printing speed and quality alone are on an industrial level. The quality control and additional sensor technology meet rigorous industry standards. Factor 4 enhances our possibilities for new applications with the widest range of high-performance materials.”
Firat Hizal – Head of Product Management Additive Extrusion Solutions at BASF Forward AM
“As a strategic partner in the UltiMaker ecosystem, BASF Forward AM had the opportunity to optimize our Ultrafuse® material profiles for the Factor 4, ensuring they work perfectly with the new machine from day one. The enhanced features, including the improved automatic material system and direct drive extruder, elevate the capabilities of our materials. This enables stable printing and unlocks new possibilities, especially for softer materials like Ultrafuse® TPU 85A. Additionally, we have validated our recycled filament Ultrafuse® rPET and our unique metal filament Ultrafuse® 17-4PH, along with the Ultrafuse® Support Layer, to be compatible with the machine. We believe that Factor 4 represents a pivotal advancement in 3D printing and look forward to a consistent platform that further optimizes productivity without compromising quality.”
Benoit Stoeux, who is the CEO at Kimya, had this to say – “As the leader of Kimya, it’s been an exciting experience to see the dramatic progress of our partnership with UltiMaker, a relationship that took off in 2021 and has greatly influenced the additive manufacturing sector since then. With the introduction of Factor 4, we have catalyzed a distinctive shift by assimilating modern materials such as Kimya ABS-ESD and Kimya PEKK-A. These materials, meticulously designed for potency, are superior in terms of performance in the fields of electronics, transportation, and the defense industry. In our pursuit of ‘getting it right the first time’ during printing, we have successfully achieved that with Factor 4. The amalgamation of Factor 4 and PEKK-A have contributed to achieving a print success rate of over 95%. When compared to other polymers, PEKK-A displays higher mechanical, thermal, and chemical resistance. A high-performance and high-temperature material is being made available on a temperature-control chamber machine for the very first time. This signifies a major breakthrough in the market. Together, we are establishing a new benchmark, bringing accuracy, dependability and innovation to the forefront of the industry.”
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The names Cura, Factor 4, UltiMaker, UltiMaker Cura, UltiMaker Factor 4, and the UltiMaker logo(s) are trademarks or registered trademarks of UltiMaker. All other product and company names are the trademarks of their respective owners.
A closer look at UltiMaker
UltiMaker is a global leader in 3D printing, focused on shaping the future of manufacturing, product development, and education. With a wide range of cutting-edge 3D printing solutions, including the popular S and Method series, one of the widest portfolios of 3D printing materials on the market, and leading 3D printing software platforms–Cura and Digital Factory, UltiMaker is paving the way for innovation across industries.
UltiMaker also offers the MakerBot sub-brand and Sketch series for educators and students, providing one of the most comprehensive 3D printing ecosystems for classroom learning and advancing education.
With a focus on reliability, precision, and innovation, UltiMaker is empowering customers to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Learn more at www.ultimaker.com.
95% print success rate and dimensional accuracy of ± 0.2 mm or ± 0.2% were tested using UltiMaker PLA, Tough PLA, PETG, PET CF, and PPS CF.
Internal testing shows a 50% increase in productivity when printing with UltiMaker-branded materials PET-CF and nylon, compared to printing on the UltiMaker S7.
SOURCE Ultimaker
Read More: Introducing Factor 4: UltiMaker's New Industrial-Grade 3D Printing Standard - 3D Printing News