• Welding Certification Rate Improvement

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.

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.

  • Ultimaker materials for 3D printing in STEM and CTE programs

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 compatible materials including PLA, PETG, and composites

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.

  • MakerBot Method Series materials for accurate and reliable 3D printing

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.

  • Sketch Series PLA and Tough PLA for Classroom 3D Printing

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

Support Materials for Complex, High-Quality Prints

Method Series Support materials are engineered for clean, efficient removal—whether using dissolvable supports for internal cavities or breakaway supports for faster workflows. These materials are precisely tuned to work with Method’s dual extrusion system, ensuring perfect adhesion during printing and clean separation during post-processing.

Whether printing intricate assemblies, overhangs, or internal structures, Method support materials give users the freedom to design without limitation—no scraping or sanding required.

  • Dissolvable or breakaway options for versatile applications
  • Easy removal with no surface damage
  • Perfect for printing internal channels and complex overhangs
  • Streamlines workflow and reduces post-processing time

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  • Piston Check Valve Cutaway (295-706)
    Item Number:
    295-706
    DAC's Piston Check Valve Cutaway (295-706) is a sectioned valve sample for training in the operation, construction, and maintenance of industrial piston-type check valves.
  • DAC Mechanical Drives Cutaway
    Item Number:
    205-280
    DAC Worldwide's Planetary Gear Reducer Cutaway (205-280) is a sectioned industrial, mounted planetary gear reducer for use in classroom and laboratory training relating to mechanical drives. This example has been restored, cutaway, and refinished using durable coatings.
  • DAC Worldwide Technical Trainers
    Item Number:
    205-180
    The Planetary Gear Reducer Dissectible is a sturdy unit mounted on a 7-gauge, formed-steel baseplate with provision for bench-top, workstation, or storage rack mounting.
  • DAC Worldwide Training Models
    Item Number:
    284
    DAC Worldwide’s Plate-Type Heat Exchanger Model (284) depicts a highly-detailed scale model of a common plate-type heat exchanger in a technically-accurate, professionally-crafted design. Based on a common make and model of a heat exchanger, the product is a complete to-scale replication of typical plate-type heat exchangers found in industry.
  • Connected Smart Manufacturing
    Item Number:
    PLC HMI
    Rockwell Automation (Allen Bradley) CompactLogix control panel electrical project kit
  • 150W Dual Laser
    Item Number:
    PLS 6.150D
    The PLS6.150D is a free-standing platform with a materials processing envelope of 32" x 18" x 8.5" or 4,896 in³ that supports dual lasers. As a dual laser platform, the PLS6.150 can support up to two 10.6µm CO2 lasers with a power range of 10 watts to 150 watts. Additionally, it can support a single 9.3µm CO2 of 30, 50 or 75 watts. (if a 9.3µm CO2 laser is installed, only one 10.6µm CO2 of up to 75 watts may be installed at the same time.)
  • Pneumatic Component Cutaway Set
    Item Number:
    760C
    DAC Worldwide’s Pneumatic Component Cutaway Set (760) is a tabletop assortment of industrial pneumatic components that have been modified for classroom use as teaching aids for pneumatic component training.
  • DAC Model: 295-713
    Item Number:
    295-713
    DAC Worldwide’s Pneumatic Level Controller Assembly Cutaway (295-713) is a sectioned, highlighted float-operated pneumatic level controller assembly that allows for realistic demonstration and training related to this common level control device used in oil and gas production operations.
  • Pneumatic Level Switch Cutaway, Oilfield-Type
    Item Number:
    295-722
    DAC Worldwide's Pneumatic Level Switch Cutaway, Oilfield-Type (295-722) is a realistic, sectioned example of a common industrial level switch, as used in oilfield production applications and other process systems.
  • DAC Model: 295-719P
    Item Number:
    295-719P
    DAC Worldwide’s Pneumatic Surface Safety Valve Cutaway (295-719P) depicts a sectioned full-size valve sample. A key component in ESD systems, these safety-related wellhead components ensure system shutdown in emergency circumstances.

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