07-11-2016: Ultimaker officially ended production and sales of its iconic Ultimaker Original 3D printer
This was the first, original model of a 3D printer designed and launched for sale in 2011
On July 11, 2016, Ultimaker - one of the largest manufacturers of desktop 3D printers in Europe, and a pioneer of the RepRap movement and the European 3D printing industry, announced that it was ending the production of its iconic device – the Ultimaker Original. This was the first, original model of a 3D printer designed and launched for sale in 2011 by the company’s founders – Dutchmen Martijn Elserman, Erik de Bruijn, and Siert Wijnia.
The Ultimaker Original (referred to as such from 2013 onwards, previously simply called the Ultimaker) was a DIY 3D printer kit with a distinctive, laser-cut wooden frame. Although it did not differ significantly in appearance from the 2011 version, numerous changes and improvements were made to its design over the years, ensuring it remained competitive with other devices in its class on the market.
By discontinuing the Ultimaker Original, the company retained the Original+ model in its lineup, which was an improved version of its predecessor. It featured enhancements such as a heated bed, Bernhard Kubick's UltiController, and the improved Bertha feeder. The wooden Original+ was officially discontinued and supported until October 6, 2021.
Both models - the Ultimaker Original and Original+ - played a crucial role in popularizing 3D printing worldwide. The design was the second most copied, after the Prusa i3 model, globally. Additionally, thanks to the Bowden extruder, Ultimaker could achieve speeds unattainable by other 3D printers of that time. It is also worth mentioning that alongside the development of the 3D printers themselves, Ultimaker developed the CURA software – still one of the most widely used 3D printing programs today.
Source: www.ultimaker.com