01-24-2023: UltiMaker launched the S7 – the new flagship of the S-Series 3D printers
It was the first joint product after merging with MakerBot
On January 24, 2023, UltiMaker—formed from the merger of two leading desktop FDM 3D printer manufacturers, Ultimaker and MakerBot—announced the release of their first joint device: the Ultimaker S7. However, it wasn’t the groundbreaking revolution many expected. Instead, it was a continuation of the Dutch manufacturer’s product line. The S7 was essentially a refreshed and slightly upgraded version of the S5, which first hit the market back in 2018.
The S7 introduced several new features focused on ease of use and production reliability. At first glance, the most noticeable change seemed to be the taller Z-axis design. However, the build volume remained unchanged from the S5 at 330 x 240 x 300 mm. The extra height was due to the inclusion of the new Air Manager system, which filtered up to 95% of UFPs (ultrafine particles) and improved temperature regulation. Another upgrade was the replacement of the glass print bed with a flexible build platform, as well as improved automatic bed leveling.
The S7 integrated seamlessly with the UltiMaker ecosystem, which supports over 200 materials and offers excellent compatibility with UltiMaker Cura software. For advanced users, the S7 Pro Bundle added the UltiMaker Material Station, enabling work with up to six spools of filament, complete with automatic material switching and humidity control.
Following the high-profile merger of Ultimaker and MakerBot, expectations for the newly combined company were sky-high. For many, the S7 launch was a letdown.
Despite the hype, the Dutch arm of UltiMaker remained committed to its strategy of incremental product development—an approach the company has stuck to for over a decade. Each new iteration of their 3D printers has built upon its predecessor, offering upgrades rather than revolutionary changes:
Ultimaker Original: The early leader in speed, encased in a wooden frame.
Ultimaker 2: Replaced the wooden frame with sleek white Dibond panels and introduced semi-automatic bed leveling.
Ultimaker 3: Added dual extrusion, WiFi connectivity, and an integrated video camera.
Ultimaker S5 (and the smaller S3): Brought a larger build volume, cloud-based print management, and an enhanced bed leveling system.
The S7 followed this pattern: it wasn’t flashy or groundbreaking, but it was another solid "upgrade" rather than a "completely new product." It might not have wowed the industry, but it was undeniably effective.
Unfortunately for UltiMaker, their moment in the spotlight didn’t last long. Soon after, Bambu Lab stormed onto the scene, throwing a wrench into everyone’s plans and raising the bar for desktop 3D printing.
Source: www.prnewswire.com