If you have OCD about numerical order and can't keep up with UltiMaker's naming sequence, you're not alone.
The Dutch-based company recently introduced the S8 FDM, with the S7 making its debut in 2023. Today, the company unveils the S6 – not the S9, but the S6.
The Ultimaker S6 is the next generation of the trusted S5, which is by far one of the most installed FDMs in schools, universities, and small businesses (over 40,000 units worldwide).
It inherits some innovations from the S8, such as speed, and integrates them into an affordable desktop device, shedding some of the "professional" features of the S7 and S8, like a fully enclosed chamber. Let's take a look.
S6: Productivity Focused
UltiMaker S5 fans who don't need the fancy features of the S7 or S8 have been waiting for an updated version.
The UltiMaker S6 is four times faster than the S5 and features the same dual extrusion capabilities for multi-material printing.
The S6 also offers two build plates: a flexible plate suitable for a wide range of applications, and a glass plate ideal for medical or food packaging printing where hygiene requirements are high.
The S6 is fully backward compatible with the UltiMaker S5, ensuring you can use the S5's numerous optional accessories, such as the Material Station, Air Manager, and print cores.
For larger manufacturing operations, previously sliced parts can be reused, maintaining smooth production without recreating files.
Supports various multi-materials
UltiMaker S-series 3D printers (S5, S6, S7, S8) support a variety of materials, including:
PLA (Polylactic Acid) – Easy to print, suitable for general use.
Tough PLA – More durable than standard PLA.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) – Strong and heat-resistant, requires an enclosed build chamber.
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) – Durable, chemical-resistant, and slightly flexible.
Nylon (Polyamide) – Flexible, wear-resistant, and hygroscopic.
TPU 95A (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) – Flexible and rubber-like.
PC (Polycarbonate) – High strength and high temperature resistance.
PP (Polypropylene) – Lightweight and fatigue-resistant.
PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol) – Water-soluble support material.
UltiMaker printers also support third-party filaments, including metals (like stainless steel) and advanced composites (like carbon fiber reinforced filaments, wood-filled PLA, and special engineering-grade filaments).
Combined, UltiMaker's materials plus third-party data with available print profiles give you one of the longest material menus among any FDM.
Ultimaker Material Station
While material changers are now ubiquitous in FDM 3D printing, UltiMaker's material changer was an industry first.
The UltiMaker Material Station is a filament management system for S5, S6, S7, and S8 3D printers.
All four printers use the same material changer.
One of the Material Station's main features is its ability to hold up to six filament spools simultaneously.
This allows for automatic filament detection, loading, and switching without manual intervention.
When one spool runs out, the system automatically switches to another.
Technical Specifications
In theory, the S-series printers are very similar.
The S7 is 90% similar to the S5 in functionality but offers higher reliability and productivity, making it more suitable for advanced users; the S8 further improves upon this with higher speed and precision.
The Factor 4, however, stands out, focusing on industrial-grade printing with a robust steel and aluminum chassis, an actively heated print chamber, triple-insulated build volume, direct-drive extruders with larger motors, and nozzle temperatures up to 340ºC for printing engineering-grade materials.
Additionally, the S6 is very similar to the S5 but incorporates the innovative technologies of the S8.
Here's a detailed comparison:
| Factor 4 | S8 | S7 | S6 | S5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Print Volume | 330 x 240 x 300 mm | 330 x 240 x 300 mm | 330 x 240 x 300 mm | 330 x 240 x 300 mm | 330 x 240 x 300 mm |
| Machine Weight | 120 kg (265 lbs) | 29.1 kg (64.2 lbs) | 29.1 kg (64.2 lbs) | 29.1 kg | 29.1 kg (64.2 lbs) |
| Minimum Layer Height | 60 microns | 20 microns | 20 microns | 20 microns | 20 microns |
| Accuracy | ± 0.2 mm | ± 0.15 mm | – | – | – |
| XYZ Resolution | 6.25, 7.8, 2.5 microns | 6.9, 6.9, 2.5 microns | 6.9, 6.9, 2.5 microns | 6.9, 6.9, 2.5 microns | 6.9, 6.9, 2.5 microns |
| Build Plate | PEI coated flexible steel | PEI coated flexible steel | PEI coated flexible steel | Glass build plate, optional flexible steel plate | Glass |
| Max Nozzle Temp. | 340°C | 340°C | 280°C | 280°C | 280°C |
| Nozzle Heat-up Time | — | < 2 min | < 2 min | < 2 min | < 2 min |
| Nozzle Diameter | 0.25, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 mm | 0.25, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 mm | 0.25, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 mm | 0.25, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 mm | 0.25, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 mm |
| Chamber | Fully enclosed, actively heated, up to 70ºC | Fully enclosed, passively heated | Fully enclosed, passively heated | Partially enclosed, passively heated | Partially enclosed, passively heated |
| Air Filter | HEPA filter | Replaceable EPA filter | Replaceable EPA filter | Optional Air Manager | Optional Air Manager |
| File Transfer | Wi-Fi (2.4 & 5 GHz), Ethernet, USB | Wi-Fi (2.4 & 5 GHz), Ethernet, USB 2.0 | Wi-Fi (2.4 & 5 GHz), Ethernet, USB | Wi-Fi (2.4 & 5 GHz), Ethernet, USB | Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz), Ethernet, USB |
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