The information in this article applies to UltiMaker S series printers, including the UltiMaker S3, S5, S6, S7, and S8.
Some steps are different if the S series printer is used in combination with a Material Station; these are highlighted with a Material Station icon. Actions for the Air Manager (optional for S5 and S6, integrated on the S7 and S8) are highlighted with an Air Manager icon.
Print preparation
When a print job is selected, either remotely or via USB, the UltiMaker S series printer will automatically prepare for printing. This can take several minutes and includes the following processes:
- Configuration check. The printer will check if the printer has the right configuration for the selected print job (print cores and materials). If so, the print preparation will proceed. If not, the printer will show a configuration change request.
- Preheating. The print cores and build plate will heat up according to the material settings.
- Active leveling. The print cores will probe the build plate in several locations to create a detailed height map. This information will be used to ensure optimal adhesion of the print.
 | In combination with a Material Station, all materials are in a pre-loaded state. When a print job is started, the required materials are automatically forwarded to the print head. The Pro Bundle will prime the materials before the active leveling process. The print head will move along the side of the build plate (left for extruder 1 and right for extruder 2) and extrude some strands of material. It is recommended to remove these strands regularly. |
 | If the printer has an Air Manager, the fan will automatically start spinning during the preheating stage. The fan is activated when one of the components (build plate or print core) reaches 50 °C. |
Printing
After preparation, the print will start. If all goes well, no interaction is required during the printing process.
However, the print could be interrupted due to a flow sensor trigger. If the printer detects a problem with material flow, the print will be paused. This can be because the material has run out or is tangled on the spool. You can then load a new material spool to continue the print.
| In combination with a Material Station, the UltiMaker S series printer can automatically change to a new spool if the active material runs out. There must be a second spool of the same material loaded to benefit from this feature. If there is no other compatible spool available, the print will pause until a new spool is placed in a material bay. |
Note: Always keep the door closed during printing and never reach into the printer while it is in operation. If something goes wrong during printing, pause or abort the print job via the display or Digital Factory.
Post-print
When the print is done, the printer will cool down and lower the build plate. Always wait until the build plate has cooled down to a safe temperature (the display will indicate a hot build plate with an orange warning bar).
| If the printer is used in combination with a Material Station, the deprime process will be performed at the end of a print. The materials will remain parked above the print head for a certain time. If another print job is started with the same material, this speeds up the loading process. If the timer runs out, or different materials are required for the next print, the material(s) will automatically be retracted back into the Material Station. |
| The fan of the Air Manager will automatically stop spinning if all components (build plate and print cores) have cooled down to below 50 °C. It is recommended to keep the door(s) closed until the Air Manager has stopped, to ensure all residual UFPs have been filtered. |
Open the door(s) and take the build plate out of the printer to remove the print. Once the build plate has been cleared and placed back in the printer, select Confirm removal on the display. This will allow the next print job to start.
You can find more information about how to remove the print in these articles, depending on your build plate type: Glass build plate or Flexible build plate.
Note: On S series printers with a glass build plate (S3, S5, S6 Glass), never select Confirm removal until the print is removed and the build plate is placed back in the printer; this can damage the printer. The S series printers with the flexible build plate (S6 Flex, S7, S8) contain a build plate detection sensor to prevent new print jobs from starting if the build plate is not placed (correctly) in the printer.
Tip: The print removal can also be confirmed remotely via the Digital Factory. This can be used when the build plate is cleared, but this has not yet been confirmed on the printer's display. Learn more about this functionality on this page.
You are now ready to start another print job!
