UltiMaker, a global player in 3-D printing, has announced the release of the UltiMaker Factor 4 industrial-grade 3-D printer. Designed to be an end-to-end printing solution for light industrial applications and engineered for the development and production of process-critical tools and components, it supports a range of engineering materials and has features that include: direct drive dual extrusion; onboard print quality reporting; and a temperature-controlled 330 x 240 x 300mm build volume to ensure high levels of predictability and minimal variance.
UltiMaker said: “Factor 4’s temperature-controlled build volume and uniform bed heating ensure consistent performance across the entire build plate; and with a new high-temperature print core that allows engineers to print up to 340°C, a broader range of high-performance temperature-resistant, and durable materials can be processed — such as the new UltiMaker PPS CF, a high-temperature composite material.
“Tested ‘to achieve over 95% print completion success and dimensional accuracy within ±0.2mm or ±0.2% of the feature nominal length’, Factor 4 is designed to deliver consistent results across multiple machines — as required for producing validated parts for distributed manufacturing. The printer’s versatility, reliability, and ease of use make it ideal for industries looking to optimise their production workflows and accelerate development.”
UltiMaker’s CEO Michiel Alting von Geusau added: “Our commitment to customers goes beyond providing just a 3-D printer but offering a full 3-D printing ecosystem that includes hardware, software, materials, and support. We help customers navigate through the complexities of 3-D printing and identify opportunities. There is untapped potential in the light industrial market, and we believe that Factor 4 will enable customers to further explore the application possibilities in this space. With its efficiency and versatility, Factor 4 promises a quick return on investment, allowing businesses to capitalise on the benefits of 3-D printing.”
Materials that will be available for the Factor 4 at launch include the new UltiMaker PPS CF, other UltiMaker-branded materials (such as PLA, Tough PLA, nylon, PETG, PET CF, and PVA), and validated materials from BASF Forward AM, Kimya, Polymaker, LEHVOSS, Jabil — and more. Factor 4 will be compatible with materials on the UltiMaker Marketplace, along with 250 pre-tuned print profiles. Factor 4 supports 2.85mm filament and is expected to begin shipping in May 2024.