The UltiMaker Sketch Sprint is a Flashforge?!
The new UltiMaker Sketch Sprint that was just released have suspiciously many similarities with the Flashforge Adventurer 5M Pro 3D Printer.
It gets worse.
While looking at the images of the new UltiMaker Sketch Sprint 3D Printer I noticed it had a very similar nozzle/hot end to my Flashforge Adventurer 5M Pro 3D Printer in my studio. When I started digging around, it got worse and then real bad.
The Sketch Sprint from UltiMaker (who’s owned ~47% by Stratasys) seems to be a rebranded Flashforge 3D Printer, probably the core structure of the Adventure 5M with new panels, screen and maybe control-board?
There are probably more differences in software and the hardware that runs the machine as this Sketch Sprint runs Cura, which to my knowledge isn’t compatible with the 5M Pro just yet.
Identical features?
Looking at this image. Almost everything inside seems to be the same. Nozzle design, CoreXY design, Sensor position, removable bed design, fan, rails and more. I’m 90% sure this is the same hardware design as the Adventurer 5M Pro.
Why does this 3D printer exist?
UltiMaker are probably struggling with sales as their S5 and S7 series 3D Printers are not really relevant any more with the huge success of Bambu Lab X1 -series 3D Printers in the same segment. Schools and business are not paying $10k or more anymore, when the X1C costs around $1450 (currently $1199 on discount here) and performs very similarly.
Flashforge were quick to create their own Adventurer 5M and 5M Pro to battle with Bambu Labs P1S and P1P. I guess they were a bit late to the party, but in my own testing I find the Adventurer 5M Pro to be a really good competitor to the Bambu Lab 3D Printers.
Maybe this is why UltiMaker choose them to create the hardware that they could slap the Cura eco system into, and sell to their existing customers? It does make sense from a business perspective, to try and offload some Flashforge hardware (that might have not sold as good as Bambu Lab) and send that into a “premium” brand like UltiMaker.
The Sketch Pro is heavily targeted towards schools and educational users. The biggest argument could be the Safety Compliance certification. Which should be replicable from Flashforge.
Prices from UltiMaker website. “Most Popular”… sure.
The price of UltiMaker Sketch Sprint is ridiculous
This would all make sense if the UltiMaker Sketch wasn’t being sold for $2499! Which is around 5 times as much as a Flashforge Adventurer 5M Pro.
Sure, you get the Cura ecosystem and it can probably be run through customers existing cura connect, where you can send and queue prints over the network to a array of printers.
But all of this is possible already through Flashforges own cloud system!
So you’re basically paying $2000 more for integrating with your old 3D printers queuing system and some curriculum/support/wiki aimed at teachers and schools.
I find this outrageous and it’s probably better to just detach yourself completely from the old cura connect-dependant printers that you have. The premium you pay is unfathomable.
Stratasys announcement of merging MakerBot and Ultimaker. Source here.
Why UltiMakers owners matter
The lawsuit that could affect it all… Bambu Lab is being sued by Stratasys for infringing patents probably used by all others on the market as well (flashforge included). However, UltiMaker is owned to around 47% by Stratasys. But Flashforge wasn’t targeted by the stratasys lawsuit.
Was this collaboration an “Exit” for Flashforge to not get hit?
Is the Sketch Sprint suppose to be the market alternative if Bambu Lab is banned from selling their 3D Printers?
If this is true (and I’m speculating) who else made compromises to get rid of Bambu Lab. Prusa Research?
Don’t support the bullies
Save money and get 4-5 Flashforge Adventurer 5M Pro instead of a Sketch Sprint if you, or anyone you know are considering it.
For the $1800+ you’ll save, I will gladly make you a guide on how to use the cloud connected Adventurer 5M Pro in a personal course.
Learn more about the Adventurer 5M Pro and see price below.
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