Mar 10, 2016 | By Kira
3D printer manufacturer and advocate for open source creation Ultimaker has today launched an Extrusion Upgrade Kit that allows users to easily upgrade their existing Ultimaker 2 and Ultimaker 2 Extended models with the latest Ultimaker 2+ features and technology.
Released in January 2016, the Ultimaker 2+ and Ultimaker 2 Extended+ represent Ultimaker’s most advanced 3D printers yet, combining high-tech features based on extensive feedback and collaboration with the Ultimaker community itself. Both 3D printers received excellent ratings, and best of all, retained the same prices as the previous models: $2,499 for the 2+ and $3,030 for the larger 2 Extended +.
As part of their mandate to make 3D printing accessible to all, however, Ultimaker wanted to ensure that existing customers would not have to purchase an entirely new machine to benefit from the latest Ultimaker technology. Thus, the Dutch company has today released an Extrusion Upgrade Kit that endows previous-generation Ultimaker 2 and Ultimaker 2 Extended models with features and technology worthy of a '+'.
The Extrusion Upgrade Kit includes three new key features designed to enable faster and easier 3D printing: a powerful geared feeder, which allows users to easily change filaments and choose the correct filament pressure for harder or softer materials; a new fan cap that ensures optimized airflow for smoother 3D prints; and finally, interchangeable nozzles, allowing users to switch between 0.25, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8mm nozzles on the fly.
The genius of the Ultimaker Extrusion Upgrade Kit is that it extends the lifecycle of existing 3D printers, reduces material and electronic waste, and makes the latest 3D printing technology accessible to an even wider audience. Best of all, it was created by and for the Ultimaker community:
“Ultimaker listens carefully to their users and ensures that their products are adapted to users' needs. By working closely with their community they have succeeded in developing an upgrade kit which enables their users to stay up to date and adds to a more enjoyable printing experience,” said the company.
“Not only do we introduce new features for our printers based on what we think is valuable, we listen to the needs and wishes of our users,” said Siert Wijnia, CTO and founder of Ultimaker. “By introducing the Extrusion upgrade kit we allow our users who already own an Ultimaker 2 to benefit from our latest technology.”
The entire Extrusion Upgrade Kit can be purchased as of today for €395 (roughly US$442) and includes a fully assembled print head, swappable nozzles, print head shafts, a calibration card, '2+' stickers, and everything else you’ll need to effectively upgrade your Ultimaker 2 to the latest 2+ tech. The company has also released an easy step-by-step guide and video to help users assemble the upgrade in an hour or less.
Posted in 3D Printer Accessories
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