Ultimaker 3 extended
Ultimaker 3 Extended
⚠️ HOT SURFACES — NOZZLES REACH 280°C AND THE BED REACHES 100°C. DO NOT TOUCH DURING OR IMMEDIATELY AFTER PRINTING. ⚠️
⚠️ MOVING PARTS — NEVER REACH INSIDE WHILE THE PRINTER IS RUNNING. ALLOW 5 MINUTES TO COOL BEFORE REACHING IN. ⚠️
⚠️ OPEN-FRAME MACHINE — USE ADEQUATE VENTILATION. AVOID HIGH-FUME MATERIALS (see Approved Materials below). ⚠️
The Ultimaker 3 Extended is a reliable dual-extrusion FDM printer with a tall build volume and swappable print cores. Its standout feature is dependable dual extrusion with a water-soluble support option (PVA), which lets you print complex geometries with fully dissolvable supports — no breakaway scarring. It's an open-frame machine best suited to PLA, PETG, and support-heavy dual-material prints. Great for functional prototypes, tall parts, and anything needing clean internal cavities or overhangs.
Specifications
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Technology | Fused deposition modeling (FDM) |
| Print head | Dual-extrusion with auto nozzle-lifting system and swappable print cores |
| Build volume (single nozzle) | 215mm × 215mm × 300mm |
| Build volume (dual material) | 197mm × 215mm × 300mm |
| Filament diameter | 2.85mm |
| Nozzle diameter | 0.4mm (standard); 0.25mm and 0.8mm cores also compatible |
| Layer resolution | 20–200 micron (0.4mm nozzle) |
| Nozzle temperature | 80–280°C |
| Build plate | Heated glass, 20–100°C, active leveling |
| XYZ accuracy | 12.5 / 12.5 / 2.5 micron |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, LAN (Ethernet), USB; live camera monitoring |
| Material recognition | NFC scanner (auto-detects genuine Ultimaker spools) |
| Software | Ultimaker Cura |
Overview
The Ultimaker 3 Extended uses two swappable print cores in the print head:
- Type AA — for build materials (PLA, ABS, Nylon, CPE, etc.) and Ultimaker Breakaway support
- Type BB — for water-soluble PVA support material
The auto nozzle-lifting system raises the inactive core during printing to prevent oozing and stringing on the part. Because the printer reads NFC-chipped Ultimaker spools, material settings can auto-populate in Ultimaker Cura when connected over the network.
Print core sizes: The standard cores are 0.4mm. The machine also accepts 0.25mm (fine detail) and 0.8mm (fast/draft) cores — material compatibility differs slightly by core size, so check in Cura before swapping.
Software
⭐ Recommended: Ultimaker Cura
| 🏆 Use Ultimaker Cura for This Machine |
|---|
|
Ultimaker Cura is the recommended slicer for the Ultimaker 3 Extended. It ships with tuned Ultimaker 3 Extended profiles, handles the dual-extrusion / PVA support workflow, and reads NFC material data when connected over the network. Free.
|
System requirements: Windows/macOS/Linux (64-bit), OpenGL 2 graphics, 4GB RAM minimum (8GB+ recommended).
Tip: When slicing a dual-color or PVA-support print, assign material colors to each model and merge the models before slicing. For support, you can choose which extruder prints the support structure — pick the BB/PVA core for dissolvable supports.
Startup / First-Print Workflow
- Complete mandatory training before use, and sign in on the equipment log.
- Turn on the printer using the power switch at the back.
- Confirm both print cores are installed (AA in slot 1, BB or second AA in slot 2) and the correct materials are loaded.
- Verify the glass plate is installed, clean, and that the build plate clamps are closed (open clamps can damage the printer when the bed raises).
- Apply a thin layer of glue stick to the glass plate for adhesion.
- In Ultimaker Cura, load your model, confirm the print core + material config matches the machine, and slice.
- Send the job via network (Wi-Fi/Ethernet, using "Print over network") or save G-code to USB and select it from the Print menu on the printer.
- Watch the first layer to confirm good bed adhesion.
- Stay reachable during the print; check in periodically on long jobs.
- Allow the print and bed to cool before removing. Sign out on the log sheet.
Loading materials: Load material 2 (rear, e.g. PVA) first, then material 1 (front). Use the material guide for material 1 to prevent the two spools from tangling. Follow the on-screen prompts — the printer heats the core, feeds the filament, and confirms extrusion.
Materials
Approved Materials
| Material | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PLA | ✅ | Best all-around choice; use AA core |
| PETG / CPE | ✅ | Good durability; use AA core |
| PVA | ✅ | Water-soluble support only; use BB core |
| Breakaway | ✅ | Mechanical support; use AA core |
| TPU 95A | ✅ (with care) | Flexible; print slow, use AA core |
| Nylon | ⚠️ Caution | Keep dry (hygroscopic); adequate ventilation |
| ABS / ASA | ⚠️ Ventilation required | Officially supported by Ultimaker, but this is an open-frame machine — styrene fumes are not contained. Use only with strong ventilation, or prefer an enclosed machine. Ask a volunteer first. |
| PC (Polycarbonate) | ⚠️ Caution | High fume; open frame limits results — enclosed machine preferred |
| Carbon-fiber / abrasive filled | ❌ Not recommended | Standard brass nozzle — abrasives wear it out. Use a hardened-nozzle machine. |
When in doubt about a material/machine combination, ask a volunteer before printing.
Material Handling & Storage
- Uses 2.85mm filament — not the common 1.75mm. Do not load 1.75mm filament.
- Store spools dry, cool, and out of direct sunlight in a resealable bag with desiccant.
- PVA is highly hygroscopic — reseal it with desiccant immediately after printing, or it absorbs moisture, gets sticky, and grinds in the feeder.
- Ultimaker's PRO Series 2.85mm filament (2.88mm true diameter) feeds most reliably through the PTFE tubing.
Safety
⚠️ Burns: The print head reaches 280°C and the heated bed reaches 100°C. Do not touch either with bare hands. Allow the printer to cool ~30 minutes before maintenance or modifications.
⚠️ Moving parts: Keep hands out of the reach of the build plate and print head during operation. Control the printer only with the front button or the rear power switch. Allow 5 minutes to cool before reaching inside.
⚠️ Ventilation: This is an open-frame machine with no fume filtration. Ensure adequate ventilation, especially for any higher-fume material. Non-Ultimaker materials may release VOCs — check the material SDS.
⚠️ Electrical: Use the supplied Meanwell power supply and cord with an earthed wall socket. Always unplug before maintenance.
| ⚠️ Build Plate Clamp Warning |
|---|
| Always keep the build plate clamps closed when the glass plate is installed. Leaving them open can damage the printer when the build plate raises. Take the glass plate out of the printer when using a spatula, to avoid damaging the clamps. |
General rules:
- Complete mandatory training and sign in before use.
- Never leave the first layer unattended.
- Do not store items inside the printer — objects on the bottom panel prevent proper homing and cause errors.
- Use scrapers and cutters carefully — cut and scrape away from your body.
- Report jams, failures, and maintenance issues. Clean the bed and remove scraps when done.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Poor bed adhesion | Bed unlevel, no glue, wrong settings | Re-run active leveling, apply thin glue layer, use a default Cura profile |
| Under-extrusion (thin/missing layers, holes) | Feeder tension, Bowden friction, particles, partial clog | Check feeder tension and Bowden tube; clean print core if clogged |
| Warping (corners lift) | Material shrinkage / poor adhesion | Active leveling, glue, correct temps, default Cura profile |
| Clogged print core (no flow 10+ min) | Dirt / carbonized material | Perform hot & cold pull with cleaning filament (or PLA) |
| Print core not recognized | Dirty PCB contacts on core | Clean contact points with a cotton swab and alcohol — do not touch the chip with bare fingers |
| PVA grinding in feeder | Moisture (most common), coated Bowden tube, clog | Dry/replace PVA, keep humidity below 50%, clean Bowden tube, clean core |
| Error code on display | Various (see manual) | Note the ER## code and go to ultimaker.com/ER## for that specific error |
Resources
- Ultimaker Cura (slicer download)
- Ultimaker / MakerBot Support
- 📄 Back to 3D Printing Area
- Full user manual (v1.4): available at the printer / GRM equipment files
