Ultimaker 3 has quietly upgraded their firmware! The new Ultimaker 3 firmware has many improved features. Let's take a look at the new features in firmware 3.6! With these new features, you can create a smoother and more convenient 3D printing experience~~~
Ultimaker continuously updates and improves its products and services to meet the needs of a wide range of 3D printing users. The latest firmware upgrade (3.6) provides new diagnostic features while improving system integration and user flow. More information is provided below~~
The latest 3.6 version focuses on the following aspects:
• Adding some previously missing features (compared to Ultimaker 2).
• Adding diagnostic features to assist with support/repair.
• Adding integration features for future system updates.
• Fixing critical errors.
• Improving user flow.
Major Updates
New features that directly improve the user experience include:
• Changing materials during printing - now accessible via the "Tune Extruder" menu.
• Ability to set light brightness (and behavior), just like Ultimaker 2.
• Ability to identify which user sent the print file, and print over the network (via the "Tune" menu).
• XY offset calibration, now allows for smaller calibrations for better adjustments.
• You will be notified when this firmware version is already running or attempting to update.
Diagnostic Features
This updated version aims to improve support and help users diagnose printer problems. We have added:
• Two NFC test menus. One can be used to test NFC hardware, and others to test if NFC tags can be seen correctly. The second menu also shows if other NFC tags (not Ultimaker materials) are within range (e.g., Dutch OV-Chip kaart).
• The ability to test limit switch functionality via the diagnostic menu.
• Diagnostic tests to check the XY operating system to ensure all XY operations are performed correctly without losing any steps. This also checks that the motors are working properly and that all pulleys are secure.
• Testing the response function of the PT100 and heater in the Print Core. This ensures that the Print Core outputs sufficient power and can measure the temperature increase.
System Integration Features
To integrate with the Cura APP and future products, we have added the following features:
• Files added to the API are now provided by the printer itself via http://[ip]/docs/api.
• There is now an "add history file" API (http://[ip]/api/v1/history/print_jobs), which displays all previous print files and provides simple general information.
• There is also an "add history event" API (http//[ip]/api/v1/history/events), which lists general events that occurred in the printer.
• When using NFC material, the remaining quantity is displayed on the API.
• Each print job has a unique ID, which is given when starting a print using the API. This ID means you can check if the same job is still in progress and can also be used to find files in the history API.
• You can now get the ID of your Ultimaker 3 printer via http://[ip]/api/v1/system/guid.
• There is an API to preheat the build plate, which is very useful for remote printing, but currently cannot send print files.
• You can now get information about print starts from the print run API.
• There is an "improve light" API for quick color/brightness changes, which also provides a separate interface for flashing LEDs.
High-Value Fixes
We have also made several bug fixes that significantly improve the user experience. The important changes are:
• Fix for "I2C head communication error."
• If you want to abort printing while the build plate is heating, you can now abort directly instead of waiting for the build plate to reach the set temperature.
• When printing with only one nozzle, you no longer have to wait for the second hot end to cool down.
• Fixed menus that sometimes "shifted."
• Fixes when using NFC material. Most notably, you can scan the same filament twice even after you opt out.
• Fixed Print Core not reaching target temperature issues (mainly due to changes in cooling fans and Print Core).
If you want to heat the Print Core but it cannot reach the target temperature, we have also added a "timeout" function. This sometimes happens if the silicone cover is missing under the Print Core.
Other Changes
The following are some minor corrections made by Ultimaker to the latest firmware:
• When starting a USB print with a warning, we have removed the "Are you sure?" reminder message (right "Ignore," and the previous menu had "Ignore" on the left).
• Cura's X/Y pop-up message settings are no longer ignored.
• We have improved printing at high speeds (over 200mm/s), which previously had a slight sound during operation, which could lead to layer shifting.
• When starting a print, the current firmware setting is modified to heat the build plate and hot end as quickly as possible.
• If manual Z-offset is started directly after turning on the printer, the build plate will no longer get stuck in the printer.
• XY offset is no longer reset to 0 when aborting XY calibration print.
• We have fixed the webcam viewing issue.
• There is also a fix for M0/M1 handling pauses, which fixes it in Cura's height plugin.
• We have improved printing speed in active leveling and XY calibration.
• Some users encountered a rare error where the printer refused to heat during printing. [This has been resolved]
• We have made improvements to the "dump logs to USB" menu to prevent errors.
• .gcode files are now deleted from the USB print menu.
• We have fixed a bug where remote authentication remained disabled after running Wi-Fi setup.
• System startup time has been reduced by a few seconds.
Do you need help updating the firmware? If so, please refer to this guide. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact 3DMart~~