12-31-2021: Ultimaker phased out the U3 series
Today marks the end of the service period for these 3D printers (Ultimaker 3 & Ultimaker 3 Extended)
On December 31, 2021, Ultimaker (still written with a lowercase "m" in the middle at the time) published a "Product Discontinuance Notice" for its groundbreaking 3D printers—the Ultimaker 3 series. As a result, the Ultimaker 3 and Ultimaker 3 Extended ceased production and sales. Their service period was extended by three years from the publication date of the notice, which ends today.
The Ultimaker 3 and Ultimaker 3 Extended were officially introduced on October 18, 2016, during a series of launch events that began simultaneously around the globe. Eight years ago, I was honored to organize the Warsaw event, hosted at the Palace of Culture and Science—one of the most iconic landmarks in the Polish capital.
The event was held in collaboration with get3D, Ultimaker's distributor at the time. More about this event can be read here:
These 3D printers were true game-changers at the time, elevating desktop-grade FFF 3D printing to an unprecedented level. The Ultimaker 3 featured dual print heads with the first truly effective system for switching between them during printing, a dedicated water-soluble support material, fully functional WiFi communication for desktop-class printers, and numerous other innovations (such as a built-in video camera). In later years, fully integrated cloud functionality was introduced, setting a new standard for the industry.
The Ultimaker 3 series represented a significant step forward for the company, moving toward more professional solutions and away from its hobbyist- and maker-oriented user base. Unlike the Ultimaker Original and 2 series, the U3 printers were much more closed systems, making them less modifiable and customizable. While this was a disappointment to the company's original customers, it was a blessing for industrial and business users who appreciated a 3D printer that simply worked without the need for tinkering or modifications.
In 2018, the Ultimaker S5 was released, further building on the functionality introduced by the U3 series. However, while it was superior in terms of features, it was not as "revolutionary." A year later, in 2019, the Ultimaker S3 was launched, effectively replacing the U3 series. The Ultimaker S3 was essentially a smaller version of the S5 and more professional version of U3.
As a result, the Ultimaker 3 series was retired at the end of December. While I fully understand that this is the natural progression of technology, I personally remember the U3 model with great nostalgia as one of the best 3D printers I have ever had the opportunity to work with.
Source: www.ultimaker.com