Ultimaker's Cura 3.6 Updates Material Profile Management

Ultimaker has released Cura 3.6 for Windows, MacOS and Linux. Updates to the software include a toolbox called Marketplace to manage plugins and material profiles that is said to unlock further 3D-printing applications.

The updated CC Red 0.6 print core for the slicing engine optimizes the use of abrasive materials and composites and is now available when the Ultimaker 5S profile is active. The gyroid infill pattern alternates with every layer to provide equal distribution of strength, keeping material use to a minimum. A fully connected part interior makes it possible to use a single drainage hole when dissolving water-soluble support material or when filling empty spaces with a reinforcing material, such as epoxy resin. When using support material, users can generate a brim, printed underneath the support, to increase adhesion of the supports to the build plate and make prints more reliable.

The Marketplace toolbox promotes a high print success rate by leveraging the power of material profiles that use the ideal print settings for advanced engineering materials. Material profiles and plugins that streamline processes will be continually updated and available for download through the platform.

The software supports more third-party printers. If a company’s printer has multiple fans, the user can now specify which cooling fan to use. The use of third-party printers such as Anycube 4MAx and Tizyx K25 are available as well. M117 commands, added to the G-code generator, provide real-time information about the print job file name and layer number if the printer has a display.

The release also corrects bugs with MacOS compatibility and memory leaks in the Monitor page, reduces the chance of a print head colliding with printed parts, fixes engine crashes when using Tree support, straightens out issues with the layer view display, and more.