Sep 27, 2017 | By Tess
3D printing company Ultimaker has announced that it is launching a whole new software strategy for its 3D printing systems. The strategy will initially consist of an updated version of slicing software Ultimaker Cura and the launch of Cura Connect.
Ultimaker made the announcement at the TCT Show currently being hosted in Birmingham, UK. Since the event’s opening yesterday, there has already been a slew of exciting 3D printing news, including new 3D printers (the FELIX Tec 4 and BCN3D Sigmax 3D printer, for instance), materials (Stratasys’ new VeroFlex material and Carbon’s new bulk resins), and more.
Ultimaker’s announcement, while perhaps not as tangible as the aforementioned products, is still interesting, as software is an integral part of the 3D printing process.
Through its new software strategy, the company says it will be regularly updating its 3D printing programs to offer users up-to-date enhancements for their 3D printers. By doing this, Ultimaker hopes to “deliver better results for users and businesses.”
The first update announced is for the company’s Ultimaker Cura platform. To be released on October 17, the Ultimaker Cura update will purportedly make it easier for users to prepare their digital models for 3D printing.
Ultimaker Cura will also provide businesses with a way to develop custom workflows through integration with other design and engineering software programs. For instance, Ultimaker Cura could be used in combination and integrated with CAD applications such as Siemens NX and SolidWorks.
Paul Heiden, Senior VP of Product Management at Ultimaker, commented: "We are proud to be providing future-ready solutions. Ultimaker Cura opens up the possibility of third-party plugin development that ensures seamless workflow integration with industry-standard CAD software to make 3D printing even more accessible."
Cura Connect, for its part, is set to follow the Ultimaker Cura update with a release date of November 7th. This software program will enable users to control and manage multiple Ultimaker 3D printers at once.
For users working with 3D printer farms for either prototyping or small-volume production, the software is especially useful, as it can schedule, queue, and monitor print jobs in a way that optimizes the 3D printers’ overall efficiency.
"We will continuously develop new applications for our 3D printers, creating an even more integrated solution for our one million Cura users, including professional designers, engineers, researchers, and manufacturers,” said Siert Wijnia, founder of Ultimaker. “This will help users get the most out of their Ultimaker 3D printer.”
Heiden also added that customers who have the original Ultimaker 3 3D printer can benefit form the new software updates.
Posted in 3D Software
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