Introducing the UltiMaker Factor 4

[ArunC 32]

 

We are happy to announce the next evolution in the UltiMaker 3D printer lineup: 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 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.

 

Thoroughly tested to achieve over 95% print completion success and dimensional accuracy within ± 0.2 mm or ± 0.2% of the feature nominal length, Factor 4 is designed to deliver consistent results across multiple machines—optimal for producing validated parts for distributed manufacturing. The printer’s versatility, reliability, and ease of use make it ideal for industries looking to optimize their production workflows and accelerate development. The latest print profiles for Factor 4, available on UltiMaker Cura 5.7.1, enable engineering materials, such as PET-CF and Nylon, to be printed with productivity levels similar to Tough PLA and PETG, effectively doubling print speed when compared to the UltiMaker S series.

 

 

Key features of UltiMaker Factor 4

 

 

 

Constructed from robust steel, aluminum, and glass, Factor 4 is built for the factory floor. The printer features a triple-insulated build volume, closed loop and direct drive dual extrusion, automatic inductive bed leveling, and a PEI-coated flexible build plate, ensuring consistent production output, even on complex and challenging designs. These features combined with the all-new H-bridge gantry and a rigid all-metal frame allow for high-speed movement and accuracy.

 

Automatic Material Handling and Storage

 

The integrated, low moisture material handling system allows engineers to reliably manage their print jobs. The material station is climate-controlled, with humidity levels kept below 15%, and holds up to six spools of filaments in their prime condition. It features an automatic material change capability, which seamlessly switches between spools, eliminating downtime and ensuring uninterrupted printing, for those printing a single part that may require several days or multiple spools.

 

Expanded Material Diversity

 

 

The printer expands the range of high-performance, industrial-grade materials, enabling production of structural integrity verified parts, from flexible materials to high-temperature composites, such as the UltiMaker PPS CF. UltiMaker PPS CF is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic material, reinforced with carbon fiber. The material has a temperature resistance greater than 230°C and is flame retardant. It provides a high-performing alternative to steel or aluminum for less-demanding parts, enabling users to unlock new industrial applications.

 

Seamless Workflow Integration

 

 

The UltiMaker Cura 5.7.1 release has new print profiles for Factor 4, customized and fine-tuned for optimal print quality and performance. With automatic recognition of UltiMaker materials and print cores in Cura, Factor 4 offers a smooth 3D printing experience. The printer is also compatible with major CAD software.

 

Powerful Onboard Print Process Reporting

 

 

The machine has a 7” capacitive touch screen and a suite of sensors in the print head, build volume, and an automated material loading system that monitors real-time data on printer and material performance and delivers in-depth reporting after every print job, ensuring easy part validation and quality control.

 

Modular System for Simplified Maintenance

 

 

The printer offers a modular design that allows for easy repairs and maintenance, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity.

 

Get a closer look at the UltiMaker Factor 4

 

If you want to learn more about the features of UltiMaker Factor 4, watch the recording of our online showcase event.

 

[LePaul 357]

I've been reading about the machine and the cores.

• Type AA: for printing build materials and UltiMaker Breakaway material
• Type BB: for printing water-soluble support material
• Type CC: for printing composite materials
• Type DD: for printing ceramic support material (in combination with the Metal Expansion Kit)
• Type HT: for printing high-temperature materials such as UltiMaker PPS CF

We have great interest in printing with filled materials (glass, CF, etc.) and the limit on the S5's we have is only one core, the CC 0.6, was the only one that could do this.  We would have liked a 0.4 and 0.8 core that could handle the abrasive materials.  We had to delegate those tasks to other 3D printers in the lab.

 

We are always looking to add new equipment to our research goals and curious if there's a bit more information on these cores and abrasive/filled materials.

 

Thanks

 

[Dustin 178]

There is a 0.4 CC core.. though yea good feedback for the 0.8 CC core.

[glx 27]

@LePaul there are also third party Printcores made by 3dsolex that have various sizes of ruby nozzles available :). 

[cjack 0]

Does Factor 4 have input shaper, vibration compensation?

[MaverickC 0]

On 10/20/2024 at 11:17 AM, cjack said:

Does Factor 4 have input shaper, vibration compensation?

No, the Factor 4 has no modern 3D-printing Features like input shaper oder vibration compensation. This is why the Factor 4 is inferior to modern printers (like Bambu Lab or Prusa) in terms of print preparation time, print speed and sometimes also print quality. 

[LePaul 357]

I'd be really cautious about making such a statement.

 

I own some Bambu Labs machines and they have a smaller print volume than the Ultimaker S5/S7 and Factor 4.

 

There is a lot to like about how Bambu Labs machines work and their spin on Orca Slicer is impressive.

 

But if you're looking to print exotic, almost experimental materials, the Ultimaker machines are made with higher quality components.  You're talking about machines aimed at different requirements and price points.  The Bambu Labs machine, say the X1C, is aimed at a $1500+/- price point.  The Ultimakers aren't targeting the hobby users that demand low cost everything.  

 

My Bambu Labs machines I have had a few parts issues that have needed to be replaced.  To their credit, those components are available pretty quickly and the machine is good at informing the user on what's wrong and what maintenance should be done.

 

At work, my 7 S5's have been pretty solid.  They may not print at Voron / Bambu Lab speeds, but I get consistently good prints, few failures and the slicer profiles make utilizing supported vendor materials pretty easy.  

 

It's too early to tell how the Bambu Labs machines will fare over time.  However, there are many, many places that have labs and print farms with many Ultimakers in use, giving reliable prints.

 

[MaverickC 0]

I must add that my comment is of course only my opinion. Others may have had better experiences. However, I have been using a Factor 4 at work for about 4 months and also use a Bambulab A1 at home. 

 

I agree with you about the buildquality and the choice of materials / components. These are great. The printer is also superior to hobby printers like the A1 in terms of print volume, heating, keeping Materials dry (material station) und printing with support Material. In addition, the design of the Factor 4 is very modern and Just nice, although this is comparatively unimportant. 

 

However, my experience has shown that everything other than the hardware cannot keep up with the current standard in the mid Tier hobby sector. Cura delivers (in my opinion) significantly worse results than Prusa Slicer or Bambu Slicer. It is more complicated to use (manual Support placement, cutting parts, automatic alignment...) and also quite cluttered. The material profiles that can be downloaded from the third party store are hardly adapted to the materials themselves (It feels more like a gimmick to me). The material synchronization between the printer and Cura works poorly or not at all for the most part. Bed leveling is slow and is always performed on the entire print bed. The heating phase takes quite a long time. I have to go through a cooling phase before I can print the next part, even if the same parameters are to be used in the next print. The preset Ultimaker material profiles are not ideal and cannot be compared with those of Bambulab (in my Opinion, i used ABS, tough PLA, Breakaway Support and Nylon). The selection of good or usable support materials is very limited (I now use BASF BVOH and Xioneer VXL 90, as the Ultimaker PVA and Breakaway do not convince me). And above all, the modern features already mentioned, which enable fast and very clean printing (input shaper oder vibration compensation), are missing. Just to name a few reasons for my comment) 

 

All in all, I have to say that I am impressed by the hardware (especially the material station and the superb Build plate), but the software and especially the lack of modern features are very disappointing. 

 

Perhaps my expectations for the Factor 4 were too high and that's why I'm disappointed. Or I am too perfectionist with regard to the surface quality of the prints. After all, this is a product for industrial Use and not for the hobbyist (tough my hobby prints do look better in too many occasions)

 

 

Edited January 10 by MaverickC
Correction