| Tech-Labs

VRTEX® 360 Compact: The Smartest Way to Train Welders

The VRTEX® 360 Compact delivers everything welding programs need to train faster and smarter—all in a portable, affordable unit. From visual welding cues to oxy-fuel cutting simulations, this VR system replicates real-world procedures while eliminating waste, risk, and consumables.

Save on energy, shielding gas, and materials
Train in GMAW, FCAW, SMAW, and GTAW processes
Simulate pipe, plate, fillet, and groove joints in 1G–6G positions
Instant scoring, demo welds, and multi-language options
Supports lesson mode, remote access, and replay for instructors

With the VRTEX® Compact, welding students gain confidence early, reducing fear and improving retention. The integrated Weldometer™ shows cost savings per session, per day, and per year—justifying the investment in real time.

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Real Data. Real Results. Real Welders.

A groundbreaking study by Iowa State University compared traditional welding training with a 50/50 blended model that integrated virtual reality using Lincoln Electric’s VRTEX® system. The results speak for themselves:

42% increase in overall certification rates
23% decrease in training time
Significant reduction in material costs—over $2,600 in total savings
Higher student engagement and collaborative learning
More welds completed in less time without waste

Students using virtual welding could start over instantly, practice more frequently, and refine their skills without using metal, gas, or electricity—while still achieving better results.

Want to visualize the difference? Download the infographic poster for an at-a-glance summary of this influential study.

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Empowering Education Through 3D Printing

UltiMaker is a global leader in professional desktop 3D printing, renowned for delivering accessible, reliable, and high-performance additive manufacturing solutions. In the world of education and technical training, UltiMaker's printers are empowering instructors and students alike by turning ideas into tangible models—bridging the gap between theory and practice. From middle school makerspaces to advanced engineering labs, UltiMaker’s user-friendly ecosystem provides educators with the tools they need to build 21st-century skills through hands-on, project-based learning.

Built for the classroom, UltiMaker’s printers—such as the S3 and S5—offer seamless workflows, intuitive software integration, and a broad material compatibility, making them ideal for cross-curricular applications in STEM, CTE, and design programs. Educators can unlock student creativity while teaching real-world problem-solving, prototyping, and design thinking—critical skills that prepare learners for success in today’s rapidly evolving industries.

With an extensive library of lesson plans, curriculum support, and a global community of educators, UltiMaker is more than a technology provider—it's a partner in shaping the future of education. Whether you’re launching a makerspace, enhancing a Fab Lab, or incorporating additive manufacturing into your existing curriculum, UltiMaker provides scalable solutions to fit your goals.

Explore the Right Material for Every Application

From classroom creativity to industrial production, UltiMaker offers a wide range of 3D printing materials tailored to your workflow. Whether you're teaching students with the Sketch Series, prototyping with the Method Series, or engineering with precision on the S Series, each platform features a curated lineup of filaments designed for reliability, performance, and ease of use. Find the perfect material for your project—whether it’s PLA for hands-on learning or carbon fiber composites for functional parts.

S Series Materials

The UltiMaker S Series is built for advanced prototyping and professional-grade results. Its open-material platform supports everything from easy-to-use PLA to engineering composites like Nylon and carbon fiber. Whether you're teaching future engineers or developing functional prototypes, the S Series materials deliver strength, accuracy, and flexibility across a wide range of classroom and industrial applications.

Method Series Materials

Designed for dimensionally accurate, production-quality prints, Method Series materials include high-performance polymers, composites, and dissolvable supports. Extensively tested for reliability, these filaments meet the demands of engineering classrooms and manufacturing workflows where precision and strength are critical.

Sketch Series Materials

Sketch Series materials are classroom-ready and student-safe, offering PLA and Tough PLA designed for seamless use with the MakerBot Sketch Sprint. Lightweight, easy to load, and low-maintenance, these filaments make it simple for educators to bring creative, hands-on learning to STEM and design programs.

Ultimaker S Series Materials for Classroom Innovation

The Ultimaker S Series—featuring the S3, S5, S7 and S8—is built to handle an expansive range of materials that support both foundational learning and advanced engineering projects. These printers are compatible with Ultimaker's curated material lineup, including PLA, PETG, Tough PLA, ABS, CPE, Nylon, and third-party composites like carbon fiber-infused filaments. This flexibility makes the S Series ideal for schools, colleges, and workforce training centers focused on delivering real-world, project-based learning experiences.

With open-material access, NFC-enabled spools, and pre-configured print profiles in Ultimaker Cura, instructors can confidently integrate the right material for every lesson or prototype. Whether teaching design principles or preparing students for careers in product development, manufacturing, or engineering, the S Series materials offer consistent quality, strong layer adhesion, and dependable results across a wide range of applications.

Explore compatible support materials: View Ultimaker S Series Support Materials

The UltiMaker S8 redefines what’s possible in desktop 3D printing for education and professional prototyping. With up to four times the productivity of its predecessor, the S8 combines blazing-fast performance with remarkable print accuracy—±0.15 mm at a 0.15 mm layer height. This leap in capability is driven by the innovative UltiMaker Cheetah motion planner, which ensures smooth, high-speed operation without sacrificing part quality.

Enhanced by new high-flow print cores and an upgraded dual-gear feeder system, the S8 is built to meet the demands of engineering classrooms, labs, and advanced manufacturing programs. Whether you're scaling classroom projects or iterating industrial-grade designs, the S8 delivers the throughput and precision needed to keep up with your curriculum or production goals.

Precision You Can Print

Built for accuracy, reliability, and real-world performance, Method Series materials are manufactured to strict quality and diameter standards. These manufacturing-grade and high-performance filaments are engineered to deliver repeatable results across complex geometries, functional assemblies, and production-ready parts.

With a diverse lineup—including durable polymers, composite materials, and precision dissolvable supports—the Method Series empowers users to print complex mechanical components, strong end-use tools, and fine-detail prototypes with minimal post-processing. Whether you're working in design, engineering, or advanced manufacturing education, Method Series materials provide the consistency and strength required for high-stakes applications.

Durable Engineering Polymers for Method Series Printers

Method Series Polymers

Print functional prototypes and mechanical assemblies with Method Series polymer materials engineered for industrial performance and dimensional accuracy.

High-Performance Composite Material for Stronger Prints

Method Series Composites

Boost strength and durability with Method Series composite materials, designed for high-performance tools, fixtures, and end-use parts.

Method Support Materials for Clean, Accurate Prints

Method Series Support Materials

Experience effortless post-processing with Method Series support materials, designed for precision removal and flawless print quality.

3D Printing Materials Made for the Classroom

MakerBot Sketch Series materials are specifically designed to support safe, consistent, and hands-on 3D printing in educational environments. Featuring reliable PLA and Tough PLA options, these filaments empower students and teachers to bring ideas to life—whether creating classroom models, prototypes, or design projects.

With a 1.75 mm diameter and 500g spool size, Sketch Series materials are optimized for fast-loading, low-maintenance printing. Non-toxic and classroom-safe, these essentials give educators confidence while encouraging students to explore STEM learning through real-world applications and creativity.

UltiMaker S Series Support Materials have been specifically formulated and rigorously tested to work with a broad range of build materials. This ensures dependable dual-extrusion performance, excellent layer adhesion, and clean separation—whether printing intricate overhangs, internal channels, or multi-part assemblies. By maintaining dimensional accuracy and surface quality, these support materials help educators and engineers create complex geometries without compromising print reliability or wasting time on post-processing. When used with UltiMaker Cura’s pre-configured profiles, they provide a seamless, plug-and-play experience that maximizes print success across classroom and industrial applications.

High-Performance Polymers for Functional Prototypes

Method Series Polymers offer unmatched print reliability and mechanical performance for prototyping and production. These real-world, engineering-grade thermoplastics—such as ABS, ASA, PETG, and PC-ABS—allow users to create highly detailed mechanical assemblies, brackets, and enclosures with professional precision.

Built for demanding environments, these materials are formulated to deliver superior impact resistance, thermal stability, and dimensional accuracy. When paired with Method’s controlled heated chamber and dual extrusion system, even complex parts can be printed with minimal warping or distortion.

Designed for structural applications and functional prototypes
Industrial-grade polymers with production-level performance
Validated print profiles for predictable, repeatable results
Ideal for automotive, aerospace, tooling, and product design

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AD Base 1 Oracle

The Advantage Base 1 Oracle has been designed so that a number of manufacturer’s laser engravers can sit on top of the extractor, effectively doubling it up as a workstation.

All the Base units in the range have the option of an onboard compressor for a compact installation. BOFA’s ‘Easi-Seal’ filter location makes filter change easy, quick and safe.

The revolutionary Auto-Voltage Sensing Turbine automatically self-adjusts to run on any voltage worldwide, whilst the Reverse Flow filter technology enhances filter performance and ensures longer filter life.
AD Base 2 Oracle

The Laser Companion 'Ride On' range has been designed so that a number of manufacturer's laser engravers can sit on top of the extractor, effectively doubling it up as a workstation.

The Advantage Base 2 Oracle has been designed so that a number of laser engravers can sit on top of the extractor, effectively doubling it up as a workstation.

All the Base units in the range have the option of an onboard compressor for a compact installation. BOFA’s Easi-Glide filter location mechanism makes filter changes easy, quick and safe.
AD Base 3

The Advantage Base 3 has been designed specifically for the Universal VersaLaser engraver. The dimensions of the unit allow the VersaLaser to fit perfectly onto the extractor, effectively doubling it up as a workstation. The unit is also offered with an onboard air compressor to provide the laser with its air assist requirements and comes complete with extraction hose kit and compressor link up on compressor models.
AD Base Z

The Advantage Base Z has been designed specifically for the new Epilog Zing laser engraver. The dimensions of the unit allow the Zing to fit perfectly onto the extractor.
AD GoldSEAL RS

The AD GoldSEAL RS is a dust extraction system designed for the jewelry industry that recovers and collects precious metals.

The metal particles are collected in an easy to remove tray and the HEPA filter can be incinerated to reveal the precious metal collected in the filtration process.

Automatic Flow Control allows the user to preset correct air flow rates, for lower noise levels and allow further protection of the HEPA filter.
AD Universal

The AD Universal fume extraction and filtration system has been designed to provide cost-effective solutions for light to medium duty applications. These compact systems are ideal for small-scale industrial environments and light laser coding applications.
Amatrol High School Learning Programs

High school students are destined to become knowledge workers, regardless of whatever specific career choice they make. Engineering and technology offer some of the most rewarding career opportunities possible! Amatrol’s high school programs are designed to engage students who demand a high degree of interactivity and challenge to keep them interested and learning. All of our high school programs articulate to colleges for up to 18 credit hours.
Amatrol Level 1 Programmable Controllers

Item Number:
890-PEC-B

The model 890-PEC-B Programmable Controller Troubleshooting Learning System teaches programming and troubleshooting of programmable controllers and their use in industrial, commercial, and residential applications. The 890-PEC-B System teaches PLC troubleshooting like no other product by providing a hands-on learning station that models real world PLC-controlled machines with up to 40 faults that can be inserted into the system.
Amatrol's Fluid Power Training Systems

Amatrol’s fluid power training systems are the best in the industry. Our learning programs are developed in partnership with industry and education to ensure that the skills are on target to support modern industry needs.
Amatrol's STEM Program

Amatrol’s High School Learning Systems create the need for students to want to learn math and science – they can’t interact with the exciting technology without it. Learning is interactive and challenging, keeping them engaged and wanting to do more. The math and science so desperately needed for 80% of jobs today is a natural outcome.