3DPrinterOS Takes the Ultimaker 2 Go on the Road with the Backpack Travel Case

We’ve written quite a bit about Ultimaker, with good reason, as they make excellent high resolution 3D printers. They’re so good in fact that the Ultimaker 2 series printers have changed very little over the past few years. The Ultimaker 2 and Ultimaker 2 Extended receive a bit of a facelift recently and were rebranded as the Ultimaker 2+ and Ulitmaker 2 Extended+. The update added interchangeable, easily removable nozzles with the built-in Olsson Block, a more powerful geared extruder and new fan shrouds to improve print quality. Ulimaker even made for their customers to upgrade their older Ultimaker 2 and Ultimaker 2 Extended printers with the Extrusion Upgrade Kit. Ultimaker’s commitment to their customers extends to their support of the open source movement. All files for the Ultimaker 2+, Ultimaker 2 Extended+, and Ultimaker 2 Go were released online and their free slicer program Cura has made 3D printing easy even for owners of 3D printers from other manufacturers.

And now Ultimaker has made transporting the Ultimaker 2 Go easier with the Backpack travel case.

Previously, Ultimaker stated that the Ultimaker 2 Go’s packaging could be used to protect the little printer on the road. The Ultimaker Backpack transforms the lightweight packaging into a useful backpack. There’s even space inside the casing for storing tools. 3DPrinterOS found the Backpack to be invaluable when teaching 3D printing classes around New York City with the Ultimaker Go. The 3DPrinterOS team collaborated with Ultimaker before offering free 3D printing classes at Brooklyn Public Library. They recently expanded their outreach, when they launched 3D Printing 101 to familiarize children and adults with 3D printing.

“Everyone is interested in this type of technology… classes bring people from all walks of life and that adds to the experience,” says Aaron Roy of 3DPrinterOS.

Seeing a 3D printer in action for the first time is unforgettable. It’s one thing to have someone explain the basic concept or to watch a video. But the true understanding and inspiration comes when you actually see a 3D printer in action. It’s that moment when you touch actual prints that you recognize the limitless potential for 3D printing.

The 3D Printing 101 class covers a brief history of 3D printing and how it works. Students learn how an idea is converted into a physical object. They get exposure to common materials used in desktop 3D printing, as well as an overview of the associated software and design tools. 3D Printing 101 guides walk through the process of creating their first print. No supplies, experience, or expertise are needed. Everyone gets hands-on experience using a 3D printer and learns how to go from having a great idea to producing a physical object. To provide this experience, 3DPrinterOS needed a stable, quality 3D printer that’s portable as well.

It turns out the teaching was easy. Printer maintenance proved to be the greatest challenge. Most of the machines 3DPrinterOS used were often out of order and they spent more time fixing and maintaining 3D printers than focusing on the teaching and classes. But their lives changed when they discovered the Ultimaker 2 Go. Not only did they find a printer that was reliable, but it was made to be portable.

The Ultimaker 2 Go is designed for life on the move. It is incredibly lightweight and yet has all the accuracy and reliability of its bigger brothers. It’s intuitive and prepares everything for print in no time. And thanks to its size, it’s printed really fast too. It’s built to be portable.

“(It) gives a peace of mind that makes me feel like I can move from place to place. The Ultimaker 2 Go looks like it is meant to be mobile, which is completely different than most 3D printers I’ve seen,” says Roy.

The Backpack travel case made it is super easy for 3DPrinterOS to take it on the go. They were able to organize classes, presentations, and workshops and plan their trips without worrying about their Ultimaker 2 Go getting damaged in transit. In fact, they dropped the little printer a few times without any ill effects. That’s what I call rugged!

Ultimaker is currently including the Backpack free with all orders of the Ultimaker 2 Go, but you’re going to act fast. Today, July 29th, is the last day of the promotion. After July 29th the Backpack travel case will be available for $69.00 excl. VAT.

Below is a video highlighting how the Ultimaker 2 Go and Backpack has helped 3DPrinterOS: