Introducing the 0.25 mm AA print core
By popular demand, we have a new addition to our range of print cores.
The new 0.25 mm AA print core features a 0.25 mm nozzle width for ultra-fine lines. Compatible with the Ultimaker 3 and Ultimaker 3 Extended, the 0.25 mm print core is ideal for prints that need detailed surface quality.
This new addition to our print core range will be offered in type AA (for build materials), and will create uniformity between the Ultimaker 3 product line and the Ultimaker 2+ product line, which offered a range of swappable nozzles using the [Olsson block]. Users will now have the advantage of extra-fine detail prints, with the added advantage of dual extrusion, enabling two color prints, or various material combinations with extra-fine detail.
Potential applications
Using an 0.25 mm print core is useful for a variety of applications, such as aesthetically detailed prints, thin-walled objects, and tolerance fit parts, e.g. hardware fasteners such as nuts and bolts.
Potential applications include microfluidics, dental model casting, and architectural models, where a high quality surface finish is necessary.
This object was printed with an AA 0.4 print core.
This object was printed with an AA 0.25 print core, with a smoother, more detailed surface quality
Material compatibility
The 0.25 mm print core is fully compatible with the following Ultimaker materials:
Experimental compatibility
Unsupported
Supported material combinations
| Print core 1 (AA 0.25 mm) | Print core 2 |
| PLA | PLA |
| PLA | PVA (BB 0.4 mm) |
| CPE | CPE |
| CPE | PVA (BB 0.4 mm) |
| Nylon | PVA (BB 0.4 mm) |
| ABS | ABS |
The new core can be found here
Breakaway - an alternative support material
We are also expanding our range of support materials. By offering a range of different support materials, alternative post processing workflows are possible, each with their own individual advantages. The latest addition is Breakaway material.
Breakaway material is a white colored support material that prints with reliable adhesion to the build material. It can be quickly and easily removed from prints: simply hold the print and break away the support material using either cutting pliers, a knife, or by hand. Gloves can be used, but are not essential. After removing support material, a smooth surface quality will be left in supported areas.
Post processing with Breakaway is completely dry, which makes it ideal for printing with water-sensitive materials. The added advantage is that Breakaway support will achieve the same surface finish as water soluble support.
Other advantages are shelf life and price. Breakaway material is not affected by environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, and using it is more cost efficient than using other materials for support.
Although it is a support material, Breakaway is used with a AA 0.4 mm print core. The post processing workflow is detailed below:
Step 1 - Tear
Remove the majority of the inner support structure with cutting pliers
Step 2 - Peel
Grab and peel the Breakaway support from the build material
Step 3 - Pull
Remove the last traces with pliers or tweezers
The final result - supported areas will be left with a smooth surface finish
Breakaway is compatible with a wider range of build materials compared to water soluble material:
The key differences for when to use each type of material are summarized below:
| Water soluble support | Breakaway support |
| Useful for models with complex moving parts, small details, and internal cavities | Ideal for flat and angled surfaces |
| Prolonged wet post processing | Quick, dry post processing, ideal for water sensitive materials |
| Prints with a BB 0.4 or 0.8 mm print core | Prints with an AA 0.4 mm print core |
The breakaway material can be found here.
Ultimaker Cura profiles make things easier
Compatible material and print core profiles for the 0.25 mm print core and Breakaway will be included in the latest version of Ultimaker Cura. Each profile is thoroughly tested by our team of material engineers, and will guarantee consistently high quality results when used in combination with Ultimaker materials. Both beginners and experienced users can use these profiles and still achieve high quality results, so users can spend less time experimenting, and more time printing.