UltiMaker Updates Method XL Firmware

UltiMaker reports significant updates to the Method XL 3D printers in its latest firmware 2.3 release. With a focus on user experience, Method XL now supports three new materials—ASA, Nylon 12 Carbon Fiber, and SR-30 support material, in addition to several enhancements designed to streamline workflow and enhance productivity, the company reports.

Improvements have also been made to Method XL’s notification system and user interface, including faster response times and smoother navigation, to enable a better user experience from start to finish.

In addition to the latest firmware updates to Method XL, UltiMaker has released the Cura 5.7 beta version. Cura 5.7 beta now includes Universal Cura Projects, a new way to share both models and print settings. These printer-agnostic project files allow you to selectively share print settings that are common across nearly all printers.

In Cura 5.7, both Method X and Method XL now fully support cloud printing using UltiMaker Digital Factory. Users can now slice a file through Cura and send it directly to the printer over the cloud, or send it to Digital Factory for additional features, including file storage and organization, print job monitoring, print management and more.

“With this release, we have doubled the material offering, enhanced the system performance and improved the user experience of the Method XL. We are committed to continually improving the Method XL product and making it the premier choice for Engineering Applications,” says Michael Mignatti, vice president, central development, at UltiMaker.

The addition of these new materials to Method XL, only available through Cura and Method XL new print profiles, enables the printer to support a wider range of industrial applications. Nylon 12 Carbon Fiber is a high-performance, engineering-grade material with high tensile strength, impact resistance and heat deflection properties, according to Ultimaker. This combination of properties makes it ideal for functional prototypes, end-use parts and any application with high performance demands, the company says.

In addition, Nylon 12 Carbon Fiber has a high stiffness-to-weight ratio, making it a suitable replacement for traditional tooling materials like aluminum in applications like jigs, fixtures, tooling, and end effectors, according to Ultimaker.

ASA is an all-purpose, weather-resistant alternative to ABS that is widely used for functional prototypes and end use parts in outdoor environments. ASA has high UV and chemical resistance that allow it to better retain its gloss, color, and mechanical properties in outdoor exposure. The material has been adopted in many industries, including automotive, due to its UV resistance, heat resistance and chemical similarity to ABS.

For more information, visit https://ultimaker.com/learn/ultimaker-cura-5-7-beta-release-notes/.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.