UltiMaker, a Dutch pioneer in fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing, is repositioning itself to serve high-demand sectors such as defence and industrial manufacturing. With more than 250,000 printers shipped worldwide, the company is now leveraging its hardware reliability, open-materials philosophy, and composite compatibility to expand into production-critical applications.

Central to this strategy is the UltiMaker S6, engineered to process over 300 filaments, including carbon fibre- and nylon-reinforced composites prized for thermal and mechanical resistance. Built on the versatility of the S5, the S6 introduces innovations such as the Cheetah motion planner for faster, more accurate prints, a heated flexible platen, dual extrusion with automatic nozzle change, and a closed chamber for stable high-temperature builds.

The new direction is spearheaded in Europe by Andy Middleton, Senior Vice President for the EMEA region, who brings nearly 20 years of experience from HP, Stratasys, and XJet. His focus is on expanding the adoption of composite-based additive manufacturing in production, not just prototyping.

The strategy is already proving successful. UltiMaker printers are deployed by the French and Swedish armed forces, the US Navy and Air Force, enabling on-site spare parts production and customised tactical devices. In industry, Heineken uses UltiMaker printers across 70 sites, while BMW relies on hundreds of units for producing durable end-use parts and maintenance tools.

By reinforcing its open-materials approach and investing in composite-ready hardware, UltiMaker aims to position itself as a benchmark provider of additive manufacturing solutions for mission-critical sectors.

Source: ultimaker.com