With its high-end hardware and software combined with sophisticated materials, the Ultimaker 3 can express object details more precisely than ever before!
As Ultimaker's official distributor, 3DMART is proud to introduce the 【Ultimaker 3 User Guide】!
From unboxing to initial setup of various hardware and software, we've got you covered. As the saying goes, a good start is half the battle. Let's get started!
【Table of Contents】
I. Unboxing
II. Installing Hardware Accessories
III. Installing Print Cores
IV. Loading Materials
V. Installing WiFi and Firmware
VI. Cura Software
I. Unboxing
The Ultimaker 3 is shipped in reusable and sturdy packaging.
Please follow the steps below to unbox, or watch the Ultimaker 3 unboxing video below:
①Start unpacking
Remove the Ultimaker 3 from the box and loosen the straps.
②Remove the styrofoam top
Remove the top styrofoam packaging, which contains two material spools and an original test print sample.
③Accessory box
Take out the accessory box.
④Remove the styrofoam front and bottom
Remove the styrofoam from the front of the Ultimaker 3.
Then lift the machine, remove the styrofoam underneath, and place the machine on a flat surface.
⑤Remove packaging under build plate
Manually lift the build plate and remove the packaging material underneath it.
⑥Zip tie
Cut the zip tie securing the print head.
⑦Contents:
In addition to the Ultimaker 3 printer body, the box contains many hardware accessories. The following items should all be included:
1. PrintCore AA 0.4 (in Ultimaker's print head slot 1)
2. PrintCore AA 0.4
3. PrintCore BB 0.4
4. Glass plate
5. Cable cover
6. Spool holder with NFC cable
7. Material guide
8. Original PLA filament (350g)
9. Original PVA filament (350g)
10. Ethernet cable
11. USB stick
12. Glue stick
13. Oil (for X/Y axes)
14. Magnalube grease (for Z-axis)
15. Hex wrench
16. XY calibration sheet
17. Calibration card
18. Quick start guide
19. Power adapter
20. Power cable
21. Test print
II. Installing Hardware Accessories
①Place and connect the NFC spool holder
Gently tilt the printer to the right and insert the spool holder into the rear panel.
First, insert the top into the hole, then push down until it clicks into place.
②NFC cable
Connect the NFC cable to the NFC socket, with the flat side of the connector facing away from the base plate, and thread the NFC cable through the slot on the back panel.
③Cable cover
Insert the cable into the rear panel, then gently stand the Ultimaker upright.
④Build plate clamps
Open the two build plate clamps at the front of the build plate.
⑤Placing the glass plate
With the sticker facing up (front), gently slide the glass plate onto the build plate, ensuring it clicks into the back of the build plate clamps.
To secure the glass plate, close the two front build plate clamps.
⑥Connecting the power supply
Connect the power cable to the power supply and plug the power cable into the outlet.
Then connect the other end of the power supply to the Ultimaker 3. The flat end of the connector should point downwards.
Before firmly inserting the cable into the socket, the sliding mechanism must be pulled back. When the power cable is in the printer, you can release it to lock it into place.
III. Installing Print Cores
To proceed with the installation steps, turn on the power switch button at the back of the printer.
The main menu will now appear on the screen. Rotate the knob to navigate through the options, then press the knob to confirm your selection.
The Ultimaker 3 features two interchangeable print cores in the print head.
There are two types of nozzles:
‧Type AA: Used for printing build materials (PLA, ABS, CPE and Nylon)
‧Type BB: Used for printing support materials (PVA)
Every Ultimaker 3 comes with two AA print cores, one of which is already installed in print head slot 1. The other is a BB print core.
This indicates that the printer can use two build materials simultaneously, or one build material and one support material.
The print cores contain this information, allowing the printer to always know which print core is installed and which materials can be used with it.
②Installing the second Print Core
To install the second print core, follow the on-screen steps below:
1. Open the print head's fan bracket.
2. The Ultimaker will automatically detect the AA print core in slot 1. Press confirm to continue.
3. Rotate and press the print core lever, then slide it into the print head to install the BB print core into slot 2.
4. The Ultimaker 3 should now automatically detect the BB print core in slot 2. Press confirm to continue.
5. Close the print head's fan bracket and press confirm to continue with the setup steps.
★Caution: Do not touch the chip at the back of the print core.
★Note: Ensure the print core remains fully upright to slide it smoothly into the print head.
IV. Loading Materials
Before officially using the Ultimaker for printing, please load the relevant materials.
Material 2 will be loaded first, as it must be placed closer to the back of the printer.
①Loading Material 2:
1. Place the spool with material on the spool holder. Ensure it is placed clockwise so that the material can enter the feeder from the bottom. Straighten the material to make it easier to feed.
2. Wait for Ultimaker 3 to detect the material (when using original materials).
3. Insert the end of the material into the feeder, gently pushing it until the feeder grips the material and it is visible in the remote feed tube.
4. Press the knob. After Ultimaker heats up print core 2, the feed motor will rapidly push the material to the nozzle.
5. Confirm again when new material is extruded from the print head.
6. Wait for print core 2 to cool down.
②Loading Material 1:
1. Take out the material guide and orient it with the outside facing you.
2. Place the spool on the material guide, orienting it counter-clockwise.
3. Thread the end of the material through the hole in the material guide. After completing this step, press continue to proceed.
4. Place the material guide (with material 1) on the spool holder for material 2 until the printer detects it.
5. Insert the end of the material into feeder 1, gently pushing it until the feeder grips the material and it is visible in the remote feed tube.
6. Press the knob. After Ultimaker heats up print core 1, the feed motor will rapidly push the material to the nozzle.
7. Confirm again when new material is extruded from the print head.
8. Wait for print core 1 to cool down.
③Indicator Lights
Generally, when the PrintCore is cooling, the LED will continuously emit a blue light.
When heating begins, the LED will flash orange. When the PrintCore reaches the target temperature, it will continuously emit an orange light.
When cooling down after printing, you will see the orange light begin to flash, and when cooling is complete, the light will return to blue.
V. Installing WiFi and Firmware
The Ultimaker 3 allows for wireless printing over a network. Therefore, the next step is to connect the Ultimaker 3 to the network.
①Setting up WiFi
1. Wait for your Ultimaker 3 to create a WiFi hotspot. This may take a few minutes.
2. Turn on your computer and connect it to the printer's wireless network. The network name is displayed on the printer's screen.
3. A pop-up window will appear on your computer screen. Follow the instructions on the computer to connect the Ultimaker 3 to the local WiFi. The pop-up window will automatically disappear once all steps are completed.
★Note: If no pop-up window appears, open a file browser and search for "Ultimaker.com''.
4. Return to Ultimaker 3 to continue with the initial setup.
★ Note: In some environments, Ultimaker 3 may be blocked. If this occurs, use another computer for WiFi setup.
★ Note: If you skip this step, you can still reset WiFi via 【System】→【Internet】→【Network】→【Enable WiFi】.
②Updating Firmware
In the final step, Ultimaker 3 will check if the firmware is installed.
If not installed, Ultimaker 3 will obtain the latest firmware from the network and install it automatically. This step will take a few minutes.
VI.CuraSoftware
For Ultimaker 3, we recommend using the free Cura software to prepare your 3D print files.
Cura will quickly and accurately convert 3D models into 3D print files, allowing you to preview them beforehand to ensure the printed object meets your expectations.
①System Requirements
Operating System
● Windows Vista or newer
● MAC OSX 10.7 or newer
● Linux Ubuntu 15.04, Fedora 23, ArchLinux or newer
Processor
● OpenGL2 compatible graphics chip
● Intel Core 2 or AMD Athlon 64 or newer
● At least 4GB of RAM (more than 8GB is better)
Compatible File Formats
● STL (most common 3D print file format)
● OBJ
● 3MF
②Installation
The software can be downloaded from "www.ultimaker.com/software". After downloading, open the file and proceed with the installation.
The first time you open Cura, the system will ask you to set up your 3D printer → Ultimaker 3. If no further settings are required, you can start using Cura directly.
Everyone must have completed the initial setup by now!
In the next episode, PART 2, we will provide a detailed explanation of the basic operations of the Ultimaker 3.
Stay tuned for the Ultermiker 3 PART 2 tutorial guide!