Ultimaker has announced a new 3D printer today. The Ultimaker S5 is Ultimaker’s most advanced desktop 3D printer ever, boasting best-in-class technical specifications and a very desirable feature-set which we’ll look at below.
But first, a few words about this new printer.
It’s been designed to run continuously – literally, with no let up. Ultimaker saw fit to develop the highest quality mechatronics they’ve ever made to ensure reliability. The S5 has swappable print cores for reduced downtime with customisable nozzle geometries for outstanding print accuracy and quality. It even boasts Active Bed Levelling to automatically set up the build plate, so you don’t have to.
All of which is to say, this is the first Ultimaker 3D printer that’s designed to deliver powerful 3D printing – but without the hassle. Simply put, it prints whatever you throw at it with ease and delivers high quality results every time.
With that out of the way, let’s take a closer look at the S5’s feature-set:
Print BIG
This is Ultimaker’s biggest 3D printer yet. The S5 has a 330 x 240 x 300 mm build volume, which outsizes the Ultimaker 3 Extended’s 215 x 215 x 300 mm volume. Despite this, the S5 is relatively compact with dimensions of 495 x 457 x 520 mm.
Dual-extrusion technology
The S5 is equipped with Ultimaker’s latest-generation dual-extruder system which is super-reliable. It allows you to 3D print complex geometries and intricate models using Ultimaker’s range of professional-grade engineering filaments.
Swappable print cores
The S5 has inherited the swappable print core functionality of the Ultimaker 3. These deliver higher uptime by allowing you to swap out materials quickly. You can material match all Ultimaker materials for consistent, high-quality prints.
Enhanced sensors and control
The Ultimaker S5 features a state-of-the-art enhanced active bed levelling feature and an advanced filament flow sensor to ensure print reliability. These give you the confidence you need to scale up and guarantee excellent results.
Open filament system
In addition to being compatible with Ultimaker’s latest range of professional-grade engineering filaments, the S5 is also compatible with third party filaments. This means you can test materials outside Ultimaker’s ecosystem.
Industry-leading software
The S5 is powered by Ultimaker Cura software. Cura is hands-down one of the best manufacturer-developed software platforms on the market. It comes preconfigured with optimised settings for 3D printing Ultimaker filaments.
Touchscreen interface
You can control the Ultimaker S5 using the built-in touchscreen. The touchscreen is 4.7” in size and presents all important printer settings immediately for ease of use. You can start, pause, cancel and change print settings quickly.
Camera for remote monitoring
The S5 is equipped with a high definition camera. This is preinstalled and overlooks the build chamber. It allows you to remotely monitor print progress. You can monitor prints on a desktop computer or smartphone over Wi-Fi.
Ultimaker S5 technical specifications
Material support: Open filament system. Also supports all Ultimaker filaments, including: Tough PLA, PLA, Nylon, ABS, CPE, CPE+, PC, TPU 95A, PP, PVA, and Breakaway.
Layer resolution: Down to 20 micron
Build volume: 330 x 240 x 300 mm (13 x 9.4 x 11.8 inches)
Interface: 4.7-inch (11.9 cm) touch display
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB
Special features: Swappable print cores, in-built camera
Pre-order now to be one of the first to receive the new Ultimaker S5.
Ultimaker launches new Tough PLA
Ultimaker has also launched a new filament today. Ultimaker Tough PLA is stronger and tougher than Ultimaker PLA, with similar mechanical properties to Ultimaker ABS. It’s engineered for high-impact applications and is suitable for functional prototyping. It’s also BPA free and 100 per cent biodegradable, making it an eco-friendly choice.
With an impact strength similar and higher stiffness compared to Ultimaker ABS, Ultimaker PLA is a good choice for practical applications. It’s more reliable when printing large models than ABS and offers greater dimensional stability.
The official mechanical properties of Ultimaker Tough PLA are as follows: Tensile strength at break: 37 MPa. Tensile strength at yield: 37 MPa. Tensile modulus: 1,820 MPa. Flexural strength: 78 MPa. Hardness: 79 (shore D). Elongation at break: 3.1%. This makes Tough PLA a strong, durable material with very little flex.
The potential applications for Ultimaker’s new Tough PLA are vast. It offers faster print speeds than and reduced warping over ABS. This makes it a better material for rapid prototyping. It is suitable for printing jigs, fixtures and snap fits, and it offers excellent resistance to oils and greases and chemical agents. We recommend Tough PLA for printing durable end-use parts and prototypes. It is compatible with the Ultimaker 3 and S5 series.