UltiMaker transforms MakerBot into an educational brand

A year and a half after the sensational merger of two leading manufacturers of FDM / FFF desktop 3D printers – the Dutch Ultimaker and the American MakerBot, the newly established company – UltiMaker, today announced a change in the business profile of the second brand. MakerBot – historically the first company producing amateur 3D printers in the world, associated for many recent years with the production sector in the desktop device class, is now to be only an educational brand. The professional sector will be taken over by the main entity, UltiMaker.

Although this change may seem surprising to some people, in fact, from the very beginning of its existence, MakerBot has been very active in the field of school and university education. Bre Pettis – co-founder and CEO of the company in its early startup years, was himself a teacher by education and profession – so it can be said that his former company has come full circle in its development.

With over a decade of experience working closely with educators, MakerBot is present in over 10,000 schools and libraries in North America alone. In turn, the global MakerBot Education platform has, to some extent, revolutionized the way students learn about additive technologies, 3D design and the basics of mechanics. The key to MakerBot’s success is its holistic approach to 3D printing education, combining lesson plans, project ideas, training and curriculum development, support, software and hardware to enable teachers to enrich classroom learning and increase student engagement.

MakerBot also has its own certification program, offering a comprehensive approach to 3D printing education. To date, nearly 2,000 teachers have taken the MakerBot certification, and over 10,000 students have enrolled in the company’s Design Thinking courses. Bridging the gap between technology and science, these programs aim to equip students with the necessary skills and teachers with the knowledge and confidence to lead in STEM education.

To promote 3D printing in education, MakerBot has developed a comprehensive educational ecosystem called Sketch, which includes:

MakerBot Sketch series 3D printers, including Sketch Standard and Sketch Large. Each of them is equipped with a completely closed printing chamber, a heated and flexible build plate, a particulate filter, a touch screen, a built-in camera and a Wi-Fi function.

MakerBot certification programs for educators and students offer 3D printer training programs certified by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). The MakerBot certification for students offers in-depth courses focusing on design thinking and practical applications of 3D printing, while the educator program focuses on creating 3D printing curricula, lesson plans, project ideas. Teachers can also receive appropriate professional development credits. MakerBot certification programs have been translated into French, Spanish, German and British-English, and will be available in more languages in the future.

MakerBot Education with hundreds of lesson plans, project ideas, and 3D printing inspiration from the education community. Content is reviewed and approved by MakerBot Education to ensure classroom readiness. Through Thingiverse, the largest online repository of 3D models, teachers can find 3D printing ideas and projects for every grade level and subject. Also included is the popular MakerBot Teacher’s Guide – a guide to 3D printing in the classroom, with chapters on 3D printing, 3D design, classroom integration, and classroom-ready 3D printing projects.

MakerBot CloudPrint, which streamlines 3D printing workflows by enabling teachers to manage, monitor and print student projects directly from the Internet. MakerBot CloudPrint offers teachers advanced features including remote monitoring, multiple printer management, and customizable settings. The software is fully cloud-based, eliminating the need for complex IT requirements. Educators can seamlessly access and use the software, creating a seamless path from digital design to 3D printing. Teachers can also connect to CloudPrint through their Google Classroom accounts, simplifying login and providing a safe and familiar experience.

Source: UltiMaker press materials