If you're someone who's obsessed with order and can't keep up with the naming order in UltiMaker , you're not alone.
The Netherlands-based company recently launched the S8 FDM, the S7 debuted in 2023, and today, it launched the S6 ; not the S9, but the S6.
The Ultimaker S6 is the next generation of the trusted S5 , one of the most widely installed FDMs in schools, universities, and small businesses to date (over 40,000 units worldwide).
It inherits some of the innovations of the S8 , such as speed, and incorporates them into an affordable desktop device, while abandoning some of the "professional" features of the S7 and S8 , such as the fully enclosed chamber. Let's take a look.
S6: Focus on Productivity
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 has the same dual extrusion capability for multi-material printing.
The S6 also offers two printing platforms: a flexible platform suitable for a wide range of applications, and a glass platform ideal for medical or food packaging printing, where hygiene requirements are high.
S6 is fully backward compatible with UltiMaker S5, ensuring you can use many of S5's optional accessories, such as the Material Station, Air Manager, and Print Core.
For larger manufacturing operations, previously sliced parts can be reused, keeping production running smoothly without having to re-create files.
Supports multiple consumables
The UltiMaker S series 3D printers (S5, S6, S7, S8) support a variety of consumables, including:
PLA (polylactic acid) - easy to print, suitable for general purposes.
Tough PLA – More durable than standard PLA.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) – strong and heat-resistant, requiring enclosed construction chambers.
PETG (polyethylene terephthalate) - durable, chemically resistant, and slightly flexible.
Nylon (polyamide) - flexible, abrasion resistant, and moisture wicking.
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) - a water-soluble support material.
UltiMaker printers also support third-party filaments, including metals (such as stainless steel) and advanced composites (such as carbon fiber reinforced filaments, wood-filled PLA, and special engineered filaments).
Taken together, UltiMaker’s materials, along with third-party materials that have printable profiles, give you one of the longest material menus in any FDM.
Ultimaker Materials Station
Although material changers are now ubiquitous in FDM 3D printing, UltiMaker's material changer is an industry first.
UltiMaker Material Station is a consumables management system for S5, S6, S7, and S8 3D printers.
All four printers use the same material changer.
One of the main functions of the material station is that it can hold up to six reels of consumables at the same time.
This enables automatic detection, loading, and switching of consumables without manual intervention.
When one reel runs out of stock, the system will automatically switch to another reel.
Technical Specifications
Theoretically speaking, the S-series printers are very similar.
The S7 has 90% of the same functions as the S5, but it is more reliable and efficient, making it more suitable for advanced users; the S8 further improves upon this, with higher speed and accuracy.
Factor 4 stands out by focusing on industrial-grade printing, featuring a robust steel and aluminum body, an actively temperature-controlled printing chamber, triple-insulated printing volume, a direct-drive extruder with a larger motor, and nozzle temperatures up to 340ºC, enabling the printing of engineering-grade materials.
Furthermore, the S6 is very similar to the S5, but it incorporates the innovative technologies of the S8.
Here is 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 |
| Total weight of machine | 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 floor height | 60 micrometers | 20 micrometers | 20 micrometers | 20 micrometers | 20 micrometers |
| accuracy | ± 0.2 mm | ± 0.15 mm | – | – | – |
| XYZ resolution | 6.25, 7.8, 2.5 micrometers | 6.9, 6.9, 2.5 micrometers | 6.9, 6.9, 2.5 micrometers | 6.9, 6.9, 2.5 micrometers | 6.9, 6.9, 2.5 micrometers |
| Printing plate | PEI coated flexible steel | PEI coated flexible steel | PEI coated flexible steel | For glass construction panels, flexible steel panels can be used. | Glass |
| Maximum nozzle temperature | 340°C | 340°C | 280°C | 280°C | 280°C |
| Nozzle heating time | — | < 2 minutes | < 2 minutes | < 2 minutes | < 2 minutes |
| 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, passive heating | Fully enclosed, passive heating | 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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