Ultimaker Metal Expansion Kit

Explore a new range of metal 3D printing applications by upgrading the Ultimaker S5¹ with the Metal Expansion Kit. Its simple workflow makes creating stainless steel parts easier, more efficient, and affordable.

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An end-to-end metal 3D printing workflow

3D print your part

Step 1. Print with BASF Forward AM Ultrafuse® 17-4 PH stainless steel filament¹ to create a “green part”

Send to post-process

Step 2. Send your green part for post-processing by BASF’s network of certified debinding and sintering services

Track and receive

Step 3. Track debinding and sintering progress via an online portal, and receive your part back in 10 business days

Use your metal part

Step 4. Put your finished metal part to use – from small series of tools to auxiliary components

Freedom to design high-quality steel parts

17-4 PH stainless steel plus a metal-optimized support material² offers the freedom to create strong parts with complex geometries.

Plus, Ultimaker Cura 5 includes metal FFF features to give you full control and ensure a high-quality metal part.

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Metal parts. Up to 90% cheaper

The Ultimaker S5's low total cost of ownership and small size makes it easy to adopt and scale an affordable metal 3D printing solution.

Compared to CNC and other additive methods, you can save up to 90% creating the metal tools and parts you need.

Plastic or metal? You decide

Being able to 3D print either plastic or metal on the Ultimaker S5 opens up a wider range of potential applications.

And because you can quickly and easily switch between materials by changing out the print cores, your printer becomes even more versatile.

Key features

What's included

The Ultimaker Metal Expansion Kit includes:

BASF Forward AM Ultrafuse® 17-4 PH (1 kg)
BASF Forward AM Ultrafuse® Support Layer (300 g)²
Packaging for green parts and a voucher toward post-processing*
Ultimaker Print Core CC 0.4
Ultimaker Print Core DD 0.4³
Magigoo Pro Metal (50 ml) adhesive
Free Ultimaker Cura software with optimized metal part slicing features
Access to exclusive metal FFF e-learning content on Ultimaker Academy

*This voucher is provided by an authorized reseller, following debinding and sintering fees

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BASF Forward AM Ultrafuse® 17-4 PH

BASF Forward AM Ultrafuse® 17-4 PH is an ideal stainless steel for high-strength and stiff parts. It is also capable of withstanding the harshest operating conditions thanks to its excellent corrosion and heat resistance.

These properties are achieved through a proven catalytic debinding and sintering process used for traditional metal injection molding.

View Ultrafuse® 17-4 PH in Ultimaker Marketplace

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Industry leaders 3D printing metal with Ultimaker

Roundtable: Developments in metal FFF

Printing with metal in FFF has long been an area of high interest for 3D printing users. In this free webinar we dive in to the topic, exploring exciting new developments that are pushing the technology’s boundaries – as well as showing how the Ultimaker Metal Expansion Kit works.

Frequently asked questions

¹Which 3D printers are compatible with the Ultimaker Metal Expansion Kit?

The Ultimaker Metal Expansion Kit is designed and optimized for the Ultimaker S5 (plus Air Manager). That’s because we strongly recommend the use of an Air Manager when printing BASF Forward AM Ultrafuse® 17-4 PH material.

Having said that, you can also use the Metal Expansion Kit with the Ultimaker S3. Customers choosing this option should ensure good ventilation and be aware of how the room’s size, number of printers, throughput, etc. can affect air quality.

Please note, the Ultimaker Metal Expansion Kit is not compatible with the Ultimaker Material Station (see question below).

²Will my Ultimaker Metal Expansion Kit include the Ultrafuse® Support Layer and Ultimaker Print Core DD?

Are the materials in the Metal Expansion Kit compatible with the Material Station?

How is the metal 3D printing workflow different to printing plastic filament?

The biggest workflow difference is after 3D printing, during post-processing.

To produce a solid steel part, your print needs to go through a process of debinding (removing the plasticizer in the material) and sintering (heating without melting to stabilize the structure).

Debinding and sintering is most cost-effective when outsourced. That’s why the Ultimaker Metal Expansion Kit includes everything to make this workflow hassle-free. For example, Ultimaker Cura automatically accounts for shrinkage when preparing your part. And you get access to the BASF Forward AM Debinding and Sintering Order Management Portal, as well as packaging for your part and a voucher toward its post-processing.

Can I buy the equipment to debind and sinter the parts myself?

While you will likely find it more cost-effective to outsource the post-processing of your metal 3D prints, it is possible to debind and sinter in house with the right equipment.

Ultimaker has partnered with Xerion, an additive manufacturing systems specialist for complex metal parts. Their Fusion Factory compact integrates affordable debinding and sintering in one machine with a footprint of only 1.2 m x 1.2 m. Click here to learn more.