Ultimaker

Ultimaker is a Dutch 3D-printing brand founded in 2011 by Martijn Elserman, Erik de Bruijn, and Siert Wijnia. The company developed from practical experimentation at ProtoSpace Utrecht, where the founders encountered difficulties adapting the RepRap Darwin design. Rather than pursuing a printer that reproduced most of its own components, they created a machine based largely on laser-cut plywood parts, making construction faster and more accessible to hobbyists and technical users. The first product, initially called the Ultimaker, was introduced as a do-it-yourself kit and was later renamed the Ultimaker Original. The brand’s early identity was closely associated with open-source and maker culture. Users assembled, modified, and extended the machines themselves, while the underlying design encouraged experimentation with print heads, extrusion systems, and other hardware. Ultimaker subsequently moved toward fully assembled desktop printers while retaining an emphasis on accessible workflows, reliable operation, and broad material compatibility. The Ultimaker 2, introduced in 2013, was the company’s first major out-of-the-box printer and expanded its appeal beyond hobbyists to schools, libraries, small businesses, and industrial designers using additive manufacturing for prototypes and limited production. The product range later developed in two directions. The Ultimaker 2 family refined the company’s original single-extrusion desktop platform, while the Ultimaker 3 introduced dual extrusion, material recognition, and compatibility with support and engineering materials. The S-line, beginning with the Ultimaker S5 in 2018 and followed by the smaller S3 in 2019, targeted professional users with larger build volumes, network connectivity, touchscreen controls, dual extrusion, and support for composite and other demanding materials. The S5 Pro Bundle added automated material handling and air-management accessories, positioning the system between conventional desktop printers and larger industrial equipment. Software and materials are central to the brand. Ultimaker Cura became the company’s principal slicing application after users increasingly favored it over earlier software based on Replicator-G. Cura converts digital models into printer instructions and supports printer profiles, material settings, remote workflows, and cloud-connected features. Ultimaker also sells branded filaments, including PLA, Tough PLA, ABS, CPE, nylon, polycarbonate, polypropylene, PVA, TPU, and breakaway support material. Through a materials alliance, it worked with chemical and materials companies to develop profiles for engineering plastics and composites. Ultimaker expanded internationally through reseller networks, manufacturing and service activity in multiple regions, and a Singapore facility serving Asia-Pacific and China. In 2019 it moved its headquarters to Utrecht. In 2022, Ultimaker and MakerBot announced and completed a merger; NPM Capital became the majority owner of the combined company, with Stratasys retaining a substantial minority interest. The resulting UltiMaker business combines the two brands’ hardware, software, materials, and distribution capabilities. Ultimaker’s principal user groups include education, product design, architecture, automotive, healthcare, engineering, small-scale manufacturing, and professional prototyping.

Ultimaker began in Utrecht’s ProtoSpace community, where Siert Wijnia organized workshops around the RepRap Darwin printer. Martijn Elserman and Erik de Bruijn participated in the workshops, and the group’s frustration with the Darwin design led to a new architecture. The resulting printer relied primarily on laser-cut plywood rather than self-printed structural parts, enabling faster production and a practical do-it-yourself format. The first complete Ultimaker was released in 2011 under a Creative Commons license as a kit. Its open and modifiable construction helped establish the brand among makers, educators, and technical hobbyists. The product was renamed Ultimaker Original in 2013. The Ultimaker Original+ followed with upgrades including a heated build plate and revised power supply. The 2013 Ultimaker 2 marked a transition toward a printer that could be purchased and used with less assembly. Its successors added compact and extended versions, improved extrusion hardware, interchangeable nozzles, and other refinements. The Ultimaker 3, released in 2016, brought dual extrusion and NFC material recognition to the range. These capabilities made it easier to use soluble and breakaway support materials as well as engineering polymers. In 2018, Ultimaker entered the professional large-format segment with the S5. The machine offered a larger build volume, dual extrusion, a color touchscreen, network connectivity, and support for abrasive composite materials. The smaller S3 followed in 2019. The company also developed the S5 Pro Bundle, which added automated filament storage and air management for longer and more controlled production runs. The 2+ Connect, launched in 2020, refreshed the lower-cost platform with modern controls and cloud connectivity. Software became an important part of the company’s ecosystem. Ultimaker Cura evolved from earlier Replicator-G-based software and became the primary slicing application for the brand. Its user base grew substantially, and later versions added cloud backup and connected workflows. Ultimaker complemented the software with a branded materials portfolio and a materials alliance involving chemical and specialty-materials companies. The company expanded its commercial footprint through international resellers and facilities, including operations serving North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. It moved its headquarters to Utrecht in 2019. In 2022, Ultimaker merged with MakerBot. The transaction created a private combined company owned principally by NPM Capital, with Stratasys as a minority owner, while the Ultimaker and MakerBot product identities continued within the broader business.

1. 2022Merger with MakerBot completed

   Ultimaker and MakerBot completed a merger, forming a combined private additive-manufacturing company.

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2. 20202+ Connect launched

   The 2+ Connect added touchscreen controls, cloud integration, and revised electronics to the 2+ family.

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3. 2019S3 launched and headquarters moved

   The company introduced the smaller S3 professional printer and moved its headquarters to Utrecht.

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4. 2018S5 and international expansion

   Ultimaker launched the S5, expanded materials cooperation, and opened a Singapore facility.

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5. 2016Ultimaker 3 introduced

   The Ultimaker 3 added dual extrusion and automated material identification.

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6. 2013Ultimaker 2 introduced

   The Ultimaker 2 became the company’s first major out-of-the-box printer and expanded its addressable market.

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7. 2011Company founded and first printer released

   Ultimaker was founded by Martijn Elserman, Erik de Bruijn, and Siert Wijnia and began selling its original kit printer.

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Professional and desktop additive-manufacturing solutions emphasizing usability, workflow integration, reliability, open experimentation, and broad material support.

• Ultimaker Original and Original+DIY FFF 3D printer2011

  The original Ultimaker was a laser-cut plywood kit intended for user assembly, modification, and experimentation. The Original+ succeeded it with a revised power supply and heated build plate. These machines established Ultimaker’s early connection with open-source and maker communities.

• Ultimaker 2 familyDesktop FFF 3D printer2013

  The Ultimaker 2 was the company’s first major ready-to-use printer. The family included standard, Go, Extended, 2+, and Extended+ versions, with later models improving feeding, nozzle heating, build-plate performance, and serviceability. It was aimed at makers, education, small businesses, and professional prototyping.

• Ultimaker 3 familyDual-extrusion FFF 3D printer2016

  The Ultimaker 3 and 3 Extended introduced dual extrusion, NFC-based recognition of Ultimaker material and color, and compatibility with materials such as PVA, polycarbonate, ABS, nylon, and breakaway support filament. The Extended model provided a taller build area.

• Ultimaker S5Professional FFF 3D printer2018

  The S5 is a large-format professional printer with dual extrusion, a color touchscreen, network and USB workflows, a heated build platform, and compatibility with glass- and carbon-fiber-filled materials. It was designed for professional prototyping, tooling, education, and small-scale production.

• Ultimaker S3Professional FFF 3D printer2019

  The S3 is a smaller professional system derived from the S-line. It offers dual extrusion, connected operation, a touchscreen interface, and compatibility with a broad range of 2.85 mm filaments, including abrasive composite materials.

• Ultimaker 2+ ConnectConnected desktop FFF 3D printer2020

  The 2+ Connect modernized the single-extrusion 2+ platform with a touchscreen, revised feeder and electronics, cloud integration, USB connectivity, and support for an optional air manager. It targeted makers, professionals, and education users.

• Ultimaker CuraSlicing and workflow software

  Ultimaker Cura is the brand’s principal slicing application. It prepares 3D models for printing, provides printer and material profiles, and supports connected workflows. Its development helped make Ultimaker’s ecosystem accessible to both hobbyist and professional users.

• Ultimaker materials3D-printing materials

  The materials portfolio includes PLA, Tough PLA, PVA, ABS, CPE, nylon, polycarbonate, polypropylene, TPU 95A, and breakaway support material. Profiles developed with external materials companies extend the ecosystem to engineering plastics and composite filaments.

• 2022Merger with MakerBotM&A

  Both companies operated in desktop and professional 3D printing and combined to broaden their product, software, materials, and distribution capabilities.

  What changed. Ultimaker and MakerBot completed a merger in August 2022. NPM Capital owned 53.5% of the combined company and Stratasys owned 46.5%.

  Aftermath. The transaction created the combined UltiMaker business while retaining the Ultimaker and MakerBot brand identities.

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• 2019Expansion of the materials ecosystemStrategy

  Professional adoption required validated print settings for engineering polymers and composites beyond standard consumer filaments.

  What changed. Ultimaker expanded its materials alliance with chemical and specialty-materials manufacturers and created associated print profiles.

  Aftermath. The strategy broadened the supported material range for professional applications.

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• 2018Launch of the Ultimaker S5Product launch

  The company sought to serve professional users needing a larger build area and more demanding materials than its established desktop range provided.

  What changed. Ultimaker introduced the S5 with dual extrusion, a larger build volume, touchscreen controls, connectivity, and factory support for composite materials.

  Aftermath. The S5 became the foundation of the professional S-line and was later expanded through the S5 Pro Bundle.

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• 2022Ultimaker and MakerBot complete merger

  Ultimaker and MakerBot completed their merger in August 2022. NPM Capital held 53.5% of the combined company and Stratasys held 46.5%.

  M&A
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• 2020Ultimaker launches the 2+ Connect

  The 2+ Connect updated the 2+ platform with a touchscreen, redesigned electronics, cloud integration, and compatibility with an optional air manager.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2019Ultimaker introduces the S3

  The S3 provided a smaller professional alternative to the S5 while retaining dual extrusion and support for a wide range of materials.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2019Ultimaker announces the S5 Pro Bundle

  The bundle combined the S5 with an air manager and a material station designed for extended unattended printing and controlled storage of filament.

  Product launch
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• 2018Ultimaker opens Singapore facility and expands materials partnerships

  The company expanded regional operations in Singapore and worked with several materials producers on profiles for engineering plastics and composites.

  Other
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• 2018Ultimaker introduces the S5

  The S5 became the company’s first large-format professional printer and supported composite materials without hardware modification.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2017Ultimaker Cura reaches one million users

  Ultimaker announced that its Cura slicing software had reached one million users.

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• 2016Ultimaker launches the Ultimaker 3

  The Ultimaker 3 added dual extrusion, NFC-based material identification, and support for a broader range of printing materials.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2015Ultimaker expands North American business

  The company reported strong growth and increased its presence in North America, where a significant share of new customers originated.

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• 2013Ultimaker launches the Ultimaker 2

  The company introduced its first major ready-to-use printer platform, broadening its target audience to homes, schools, libraries, small businesses, and industrial designers.

  Product launchProduct generation
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1. Ultimaker
2. Ultimaker official website