【3D Printing News】Process Revealed: How Ultimaker 3D Printers Are Made

The Ultimaker 3D printer is a desktop industrial equipment from the Netherlands, meeting EU standards. Its main production line is located in Zaltbommel, Netherlands. As an ISO dual-certified global enterprise, it must ensure that every Ultimaker 3D printer provided to customers is high-performance and high-quality. Of course, Ultimaker also uses its own 3D printing tools to assist production. (Further reading: 3D Printing Leader Ultimaker Achieves Dual ISO International Certifications)
  The parts that make up an Ultimaker 3D printer must first pass quality control. Each part is measured and tested to ensure everything meets standards. A small number of custom-made parts come from China, while most other parts come from Europe. For bearing testing, if a bearing is not perfectly round, is bent, or fails the caliper inspection, the part will be rejected. If there are too many defective products in the same batch, the entire batch will be returned to the supplier.
   
Tested parts are sorted into their respective storage locations. When parts are needed, the management system generates a list. Employees use scanners to record each retrieved item, and it is automatically deducted from inventory.
   
Assembling an Ultimaker 3D printer begins with an outer panel. Before assembly, each panel is fitted with bearings, nuts, and various components. Every step in the process is recorded on a system that provides real-time data feedback at each production stage to improve production efficiency.
   
The assembled frame must be placed perfectly flat on a surface and be free of any cosmetic defects. After certification, it is sent to the main production area to install components such as feeders, print heads, and heated beds. The main production area is a completely anti-static environment to avoid damaging any internal electronic components.
 
They refer to their method of maintaining production efficiency as "poka-yoke"—commonly known as "mistake-proofing." Each part that makes up the 3D printer is placed in its designated foam compartment in sequence. This method allows operators to quickly identify incorrect or defective parts and prevents similar-looking parts from being confused. For example, bearings of different lengths can only fit into their specific compartments.
 
The foam compartments are stacked in boxes according to the assembly order. All parts in the top layer must be installed into the 3D printer before the next layer can begin, ensuring a smooth production line.
 
Ultimaker produces approximately 400 slider parts daily, each consisting of two separate plastic bodies. These must have bushings pressed in and belts and springs clamped together before being assembled into the 3D printer. Producing these assemblies used to be done entirely by hand, but with the aid of 3D printed jigs, assembly is now easier and production efficiency is higher.
 
The poka-yoke foam also prevents tools from being lost. Additionally, the company uses its own 3D printers to manufacture auxiliary tools—these jigs and holders are more human-centric to meet user needs.
 
After the 3D printing nozzles are manually assembled, they are placed in a press for sealing. Different AA, BB, and CC print nozzles have dedicated workstations, and finally undergo quality inspection.
    Ultimaker places great importance on product safety. All 3D printers must comply with international safety standards and regulations. The Ultimaker S5, in particular, must pass a hipot test to ensure it can be used independently and safely.