#Factor 4 Feature Highlight: Success Rate and Enhanced Reporting

It’s clear that traditional manufacturing methods such as CNC, while costly and limited in the potential geometry they can output, offer a great degree of predictability and replicability, which for a long time was one of the major reasons against the adoption and implementation of additive manufacturing.

While we’ve previously talked about some of the features of our new Factor 4 industrial-grade 3D printer, in this article we wanted to focus on how the printer’s 95% print success rate coupled with its new Print Process Reporting feature give customers the confidence to switch over and implement our 3D printing solutions into their production environments.

##Success Rate

We’ve mentioned that the Factor 4 has a 95% print completion success rate, but how does that translate into a palpable example of how integrating it into your workflow can help improve your end-to-end process?

To help us answer that question we’ll turn to one of the leading manufacturers of complete systems for breweries, beverage bottles and food producers, Krones. Having implemented UltiMaker’s 3D printing solutions in over 10 locations using a fleet of UltiMaker printers, Krones could test and iterate prototypes on part designs faster ensuring that the printed parts performed better and lasted longer.

With a 95% print success rate and enhanced reporting capabilities, the Factor 4 empowered Krones to confidently integrate 3D printing into their production process, cutting costs and saving time. Its compatibility with over 200 materials, including UltiMaker’s PPS CF, a potential substitute for PEEK or even steel in certain applications, opens doors for innovative applications. This level of reliability and performance is essential for Krones as they push to enhance service offerings for customers through advanced 3D printing solutions.

And it’s not just Krones, multiple manufacturers have found that UltiMaker’s 3D printing solutions have not only replaced traditional prototyping and production methods but that final 3D printed parts were in some cases better than the original OEM ones with optimized designs.

##Print Process Reporting

Lightning fast printing speeds are nice, but in industrial applications what matters most is accuracy, the ability to output parts consistently within strict tolerance levels and UltiMaker’s Factor 4 does just that with a dimensional accuracy within ±0.2 mm or ±0.2% of the nominal feature length over it’s full 330 x 240 mm build plate.

One of the standout features that gives the Factor 4 a competitive edge is its Print Process Reporting, which provides detailed, post-print insights within 15 minutes of job completion. This tool empowers our clients with a clear understanding of print outcomes, eliminating the extensive manual effort usually required for such in-depth analysis or the higher costs often associated with this level of reporting in other 3D printers.

The inclusion of multiple sensors, monitoring variables such as nozzle temperature and material flow ensures that the printer can adjust on the fly, preventing errors that could compromise accuracy which would further escalate into costly downtime. Monitoring aspects such as internal delamination, inconsistent layer adhesion or any other process-related defects addresses any lack of predictability allowing users to maintain control over every print job.

Print Process Reporting allows for a high degree of versatility that extends beyond its basic error detection function, serving as a powerful tool in applications such as part validation, internal structural integrity checks and digital certification for compliance auditing. In a data driven world having the ability to analyze production rates, monitor material usage and assess machine performance in any connected location allows you to make informed decisions on how to optimize workflows, improve efficiency and maximize the quality of your printed parts.

##Become an industry leader

UltiMaker has already helped clients in leading industry roles to reduce lead times, increase factory line uptimes, provide safer working environments and have faster time to market for their products.

If you want to know how UltiMaker’s Factor 4 printer can help you change the game for your business, don’t hesitate to contact us and our team of experts will be more than happy to reach out to you and help!