04-23-2018: Ultimaker introduced a new generation 3D printer – the Ultimaker S5
Ultimaker S5 remains the oldest original 3D printer model still offered by the company
On April 23, 2018, during the Hannover Messe trade fair in Germany, Ultimaker unveiled its next-generation 3D printer – the Ultimaker S5. Just like with the U3 model introduced in the fall of 2016, the company presented a number of new and interesting features. However, in the end, it was once again a natural extension of the design first seen in the U2 model, released in 2013.
The first key change in the S5 was the enlarged build volume. Up until that point, Ultimaker had offered two configurations: the standard 20 x 20 x 20 cm and the extended Z-height version (Extended) at 20 x 20 x 30 cm. The S5 broke with this “tradition” by offering a build area of 33 x 24 x 30 cm. To improve the user experience, the manufacturer introduced front-facing, closing doors. While this was a small (albeit useful) feature, the top of the 3D printer remained open. Nonetheless, it helped with printing large-scale 3D models using low-shrinkage materials.
To improve adhesion on the larger build plate, Ultimaker introduced two new features – an anodized aluminum build plate designed for engineering-grade materials, which was interchangeable with the classic glass build plate also included in the package. The second feature was a modified bed leveling system – before each print, the surface was scanned by the print head, and any irregularities were automatically compensated for during printing.
The S5 also featured an upgraded extruder equipped with a filament flow sensor. In the event of any issues – such as a jam or running out of material – the 3D printer would automatically pause the print.
A new 4.7-inch touchscreen was introduced, replacing the classic display with its signature navigation knob. Alongside the S5, Ultimaker also launched a new mobile app that allowed users to monitor the printing progress remotely, as well as a new consumable material – Tough PLA.
Although it didn’t introduce revolutionary changes, in hindsight, the S5 marked a new direction and set a standard for Ultimaker’s 3D printer development. The next model, the S3, was a combination of the U3 with the "guts" of the S5, followed by the Z-height-enhanced S7 and its recent successor, the S8.
Today, the Ultimaker S5 remains the oldest original 3D printer model still offered by the company.
Source: www.centrumdruku3d.pl
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