Desktop 3D printers often lack capabilities and features desired by professional engineers. A few, though, such as the Ultimaker brand, can suit engineering needs. Ultimaker launched two 3D printers at CES Las Vegas 2016; the Ultimaker 2+ and Ultimaker 2 Extended+.

Said Jos Burger, CEO of Ultimaker, “The Ultimaker 2+ and Ultimaker 2 Extended+ are results of countless collaborations and insightful feedback we have received from the Ultimaker community. Both printers feature crucial upgrades based on what our customers are looking for in a 3D printer.”

Both machines are the successors of the current Ultimaker 2 and Ultimaker 2 Extended and are available for purchase immediately. The Ultimaker open source strategy enabled collaborattion with the community for the following upgraded features on both machines:

• Interchangeable nozzles: Freedom to change nozzles in a matter of seconds makes working with different materials easier, eases maintenance and users choose between highly detailed prints or high speed prints.
• Optimized print results: With the inclusion of a more powerful geared feeder, printing materials are less likely to skip.
• Enhanced surface quality: Improved surface quality with astonishing results due to improved cooling.

Ultimaker’s mission is to provide the ultimate tools to empower professionals, educators and makers to discover, learn and create more efficiently by offering and supporting a full infrastructure of 3D printers, software and materials strengthened by integration with key industry partners such as Solidworks, Spark, the 3MF Consortium and leading global manufacturers of materials.

Ultimaker’s annual revenue doubled in 2015, which is a result of professional users and an increase in the education sector. 35% of Ultimaker’s sales now come from clients in North America/The United States. During 2015, Ultimaker printers have been adopted by several leading North American Universities. In addition, Ultimaker is working with the Illinois Makerlab at the University of Illinois to develop a new massive open online course (MOOC) on 3D Printing scheduled for release via Coursera in 2016.

“We have seen great success this year with professionals and educators who can optimize the modular components of our infrastructure for their own specific needs,” said Burger. “Ultimaker has seen an expansion of sales within industries such as Aerospace, Automotive, Healthcare, Energy and Education especially within engineering, design and manufacturing in the past year. We look forward to see how Ultimaker’s global community will continue to grow and help it create the products of the future.”