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

Ultimaker 3D printers are desktop industrial machines from the Netherlands that adhere to EU standards. Their main production line is located in Zaltbommel, Netherlands. As an ISO dual-certified global company, Ultimaker must ensure that every Ultimaker 3D printer delivered to customers is high-performance and high-quality. Of course, Ultimaker also utilizes its own 3D printing tools to assist in production. (Further reading: 3D Printing Leader Ultimaker Achieves Two 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 parts come from China, while most other parts are sourced from Europe. For example, in bearing testing, if a bearing is not perfectly round or is bent, and cannot pass caliper inspection, the part is scrapped. If too many defective items are found in the same batch, the entire batch is returned to the supplier.
   
Passed parts are sorted into their respective storage areas. When parts are needed, a list is generated by the management system. Employees use scanners to record each item picked, and it is automatically deducted from inventory.
   
Assembling an Ultimaker 3D printer begins with an outer shell panel. Before assembly, each panel is fitted with bearings, nuts, and various components. Every step of the process is recorded in the system, which provides real-time data feedback at each production stage to improve efficiency.
   
The assembled frame must sit perfectly flat on a surface and be free of any cosmetic defects. After certification, it is sent to the main production area for installation of components such as feeders, printheads, and heated beds. The main production area is a completely anti-static environment to prevent damage to any internal electronic components.
 
They refer to their method of maintaining production efficiency as "poka-yoke" – commonly known as "mistake-proofing." Each part of the 3D printer is sequentially placed in its dedicated foam compartment. This method allows operators to quickly identify errors or defective parts, making it difficult to confuse visually similar parts. For example, bearings of different lengths can only fit into their designated compartments.
 
The foam compartments are stacked in boxes according to the assembly sequence. All parts in the top layer must be installed into the 3D printer before starting the next layer to maintain a smooth production line.
 
Ultimaker produces approximately 400 slider parts daily, each consisting of two separate plastic bodies. Before being assembled into the 3D printer, bushings must be pressed in, and belts and springs clamped together. Producing these components was once entirely manual, but with the aid of 3D printed jigs, assembly is now easier and production efficiency is higher.
 
Poka-yoke foam also prevents tool loss. Additionally, they use their own 3D printers to create auxiliary tools—these jigs and holders are designed to be more user-friendly.
 
After the 3D printer nozzles are manually assembled, they are sealed in a press. Different AA, BB, and CC print nozzles each have dedicated workstations, followed by 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 pressure circuit tests to ensure it can be used independently and safely.