#3DExpress: UltiMaker Launches Announces its New Factor 4 3D Printer
The additive manufacturing market has been quite active this week! And with good reason, several important announcements were made. First, we couldn’t miss the launch of UltiMaker’s new FDM 3D printer, the Factor 4. This is a solution that aims to be industrial, compact and repeatable, banking on workflow automation and greater productivity. Next, BMF has received FDA clearing for its veneer UltraThineer™ for the world’s thinnest veneers. Then, we’ll introduce you to the new name of the giant GE Additive before looking at INTAMSYS’ participation in Worldskills. Before finishing it out with new of Sintratec’s continued expansion. Have a great weekend and happy reading!
UltiMaker Unveils the Factor 4
A launch from the Dutch giant, which has merged with Makerbot, has been eagerly awaited. Now our curiosity can be sated, the two new partners have introduced the Factor 4, an industrial, reliable desktop machine offering repeatable results. The FDM 3D printer offers a print volume of 330 x 240 x 300 mm, is equipped with a dual extruder and a nozzle that can heat up to 340°C, and offers a resolution of 6.9 microns on the XY axis and 2.5 microns on the Z axis. With the Factor 4, UltiMaker explains that it wants to focus on productivity by offering a robust design machine with several features to automate the production workflow. The 3D printer is compatible with a wide range of thermoplastics, from the most standard to the most technical, to enable the creation of multiple applications.
Photo Credits: UltiMaker
BMF Receives FDA Clearance for Veneer Material
Boston Micro Fabrication (BMF) has announced that its UltraThineer™ material has received U.S. Food and Drug Adsministration (FDA) 510(k) clearance. The Zirconia-based material can be combined with BMF’s projection micro stereolithography (PµSL) technology to create the world’s thinnest (three-times thinner than traditional veneers), high-quality veneers. The best part? They require minimum prepping and are less invasive, making veneers making cosmetic dentistry even more comfortable. Professor Sun Yuchun, Peking University School of Stomatology concludes, “With the same durability as traditional veneers, dental labs across the U.S. can now deliver an improved veneer option that isn’t as invasive for the patient, minimizing tooth reduction and improving the overall appearance of teeth.”
The UltraThineer 3D printed veneer (left) next to a conventional veneer (right) showing the difference in thickness (photo credits: Business Wire)
GE Additive Rebrands as Colibrium Additive
Not long after GE declared that it would be splitting into three public companies, we have now learned the fate of GE Additive. Rebranded as Colibrium (derived from the words collaborative and equilibrium) Additive, it will operate under GE Aerospace. Furthermore, it seems the Arcam EBM and Concept Laser brands, both acquired in 2016, will be retired with printers falling now into the categories of L-PBF or EBM. As reported in TCT Magazine, Alexander Smitz, CEO of Colibrium Additive affirms, “While we are changing our name, we maintain our unwavering focus on our customers, quality, and reliability. We will continue to lead the additive manufacturing industry from the front and positively disrupt it.”
Photo Credits: Colibrium Additive
INTAMSYS, Official Supplier to Worldskills
The final of this year’s Worldskills competition will be held in Lyon, France, from September 10 to 15. This is the world’s biggest skills competition, bringing together thousands of young people to challenge their talents. Among the trades represented is additive manufacturing. And we’re telling you about it today because manufacturer INTAMSYS has just announced that it will be supporting the competition by making several of its 3D printers available, including the FUNMAT PRO 310, which is compatible with technical materials such as polycarbonate. In any case, we wish all the candidates the best of luck!
Photo Credits: Worldskills
Sintratec Expand Further Into Eastern Europe
A few weeks ago, we reported that Sintratec had an absolute record sales year in 2023. This has spurred the company to expand its sales network to East Asia by entering into a partnership with the Taiwan-based company 3Dprinting Technology. But Sintratec also wants to establish itself within Europe with its SLS printing solutions. This week, the company from Switzerland announced that it has found a new partner in 3Dees Industries from Prague. Founded in 2017, the company distributes powder solutions from well-known brands, including HP, Stratasys, Voxeljet etc. With the Sintratec printers, the first “Swiss Made” solutions are now also represented in the portfolio and its SLS segment is also being strengthened. 3Dees will not only ensure the distribution of Sintratec printers in the Czech Republic, but also in Slovakia. This partnership strengthens Sintratec’s distribution network in Eastern Europe and opens up a promising sales market.
Photo Credits: Sintratec
What do you think of the new Factor 4 from UltiMaker? Let us know in a comment below or on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly newsletter here, the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.
