The Ultimaker S5 3D Printer is an open source, open filament, user-friendly, fused deposition modelling (FDM), dual extruder desktop 3D printer with a build volume Z height of 300 mm that prints polylactic acid (PLA), a low-cost, biorenewable, and easy to print plastic.[1]
The following Ultimaker 3D Printers have a build volume Z height of over 200 mm and can make the 3D Printed Adult Male Tibial Bone Models at 100% scale:
The Ultimaker S3 3D Printer has a maximum build volume Z height of 200 mm and can make the 3D Printed Adult Male Tibial Bone Models at 95% scale.[7]
One potential drawback of Ultimaker FDM 3D printers are that they typically require applying a thin layer of glue or adhesion sheet on the build plate and/or including a brim on the 3D printed model to ensure adequate adhesion of the 3D printed object to the glass build plate.[8][9][10]
On April 2, 2022, we tested a powder-coated PEI build plate sheet magnetically attached to the glass bed of an Ultimaker 2+ Extended 3D Printer and demonstrated that one of the 3D Printed Adult Male Tibial Bone Models could be successfully printed with PLA without the use of a glue layer or adhesion sheet on the build plate or adding a brim to the 3D printed model.[11]
On May 22, 2022, we showed it was possible to print the 3D Printed Adult Female Tibial Bone Models without a brim or the use of any adhesive or glue on the glass build plate of the Ultimaker S3 printer when the layer height setting is 0.3 mm. We have updated our print setting instructions to advise that the layer height setting should not exceed 0.3 mm to avoid print quality issues.
It is not necessary to use Ultimaker PLA filament when printing on any Ultimaker 3D Printer because they are open filament 3D printers. To help reduce costs, we recommend using any less expensive, locally available 2.85 mm PLA filament brand.
PLA is a moisture-sensitive material which may become brittle if improperly stored.[12] According to one filament manufacturer, "To check the quality of PLA, try to snap the filament. If the PLA filament snaps easily, it is too brittle for use and should be replaced."
Proper storage of PLA requires storage:
**To minimize the risk of mechanical failure of the bone models during orthopedic surgical simulation training, it is highly recommended to use fresh PLA filament just out of its original packaging.**
The Ultimaker S5 Pro System has a Material Station which has a built-in dehumidifier to maintain the loaded PLA filament spools in optimum condition.[13] According to Ultimaker, "'[i]t is not recommended to store (moisture sensitive) materials in the Material Station if the power cable is disconnected."
When possible, try to obtain PLA filament with a Technical Data Sheet confirming that the filament's Shore Hardness D value is within the 3-sigma range (~79D to 93D) for the Shore Hardness D measurements of 86.7D + 1.91D (ave. ± s.d., n=1815) for human cortical bone.[14]
One way to find local individuals or organizations who can manufacture the 3D Printed Adult Male Tibial Bone Models on an Ultimaker S5 3D Printer or another suitable fused deposition modeling 3D printer with a minimum build volume Z height of 180 mm is by searching for and reaching out to an Ultimaker re-seller in your region.
Ultimaker 3D Printers are available in 85 countries and territories through the following Ultimaker re-sellers:
This work is funded by a grant from the Intuitive Foundation. Any research, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this work are those of the author(s), and not of the Intuitive Foundation.
| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
|---|---|
| Cite as | Shubh.patel, Medical Makers (2022–2026). "Ultimaker S5 3D Printer". Appropedia. Retrieved September 29, 2026. |
