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Connect your Printer to Digital Factory

Last updated

Availability

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All subscription plans
**Note:**Ability to connect printers is limited to certain roles. For more info, see Roles and Permissions in Digital Factory

This article explains how to connect your 3D printer to UltiMaker Digital Factory so you can manage prints remotely. The method you use depends on your printer model.

In this article, you will learn:

  • How to prepare your printer for connection.
  • How to connect UltiMaker printers using a claim code.
  • How to confirm a successful connection.
  • Solutions for common connection issues.

Before You Begin

Adding a new printer is limited to specific user roles depending on your subscription plan. Please verify you have the correct permissions:

  • Digital Factory PRO Plans: Users with the Admin, Manager, or Member role can add printers.
  • Digital Factory EDU Plans: Users with the Admin or Educator role can add printers.

If you do not have the correct permissions, please contact your organization's administrator.

To connect your printer, make sure you have the following:

  • Access to an UltiMaker Digital Factory workspace.
  • A networked printer (connected via Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
  • The latest firmware installed on your printer.

Follow these steps to prepare your printer:

  1. Sign in to your UltiMaker Digital Factory account and open your workspace.
  2. Connect your printer to the same network you will use for printing (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
  3. Update your printer's firmware to the latest version. You will need to do this if you do not see a Digital Factory menu on your printer's screen.
tip

For detailed network requirements, refer to our Network requirements for Cura Cloud article.

Pair an UltiMaker or MakerBot printer using an authorization code

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Factor series, S series, Method series, Sketch series

Use this method for UltiMaker S-series, Factor 4, and Method printers that have a Digital Factory menu on the device.

  1. In Digital Factory:
    - For new workspaces, select printer brand + type on the home screen and follow the directions to find your authorization code on you printer.
    - For existing workspaces, navigate to the Printers page, click the Add printer button, select Printer Brand + Type, and follow the directions to find your authorization code on you printer.
  2. On the printer:
    - Navigate to setting (listed below) generate a 6-digit claim code.
  3. Enter the code in Digital Factory and press Connect. Wait for approximately 30 seconds for the printer to connect

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S series and Factor series notes

  • S series and Factor series printers support direct pairing with an authorization code, located under Settings > Network > Digital Factory > Connect.

Method series notes

  • Method printers support direct pairing with an authorization code, located under Settings > System Settings > Account Authorization > Authorize With Code .

Sketch series notes

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Ensure you have selected the correct printer type in the Sketch series. Instructions vary per printer.

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  • Sketch / Sketch Large supports direct pairing with an authorization code, located under Settings > Network > Authorize User > Authorize with Code

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warning

A printer can only belong to one workspace at a time. Adding a printer to a new workspace will automatically unregister it from any previous one it is connected to.

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Replicator series, 2+ Connect, UltiMaker 3, etc.

Digital Factory does not support a direct connection to certain UltiMaker, MakerBot, or third party printers.

For UltiMaker and MakerBot printers, You can use Cura Cloud to prepare prints and export to USB.

For third party printers, you can use Cura Desktop to prepare prints and send them to third-party printers via USB or a local network.

warning

Replicator Z18 and Mini+ are not supported in Cura Cloud

Confirm the connection

You have successfully connected your printer when you can confirm the following:

  • The printer appears on the Printers page with the status Online.
  • You can select the printer when starting a print from the Library or thePrepare section.
  • Other users in your workspace with the correct permissions can see and use the printer.

Quick fixes for common issues

Issue

Solution

Claim code expired or not accepted.

Generate a new claim code on the printer and try again.

Printer shows "Offline".

Check your network firewall and port settings. Confirm the printer was added to the correct workspace, and verify that the printer's date and time are accurate.

No "Digital Factory" menu on the printer.

Update the printer's firmware to the latest version, then retry Path A.

"Add printer" button is missing.

You may not have the necessary permissions. Ask a workspace Admin for assistance.

Moving a printer to a new workspace.

Remove the printer from the old workspace first, then follow Path A with a new claim code to add it to the new one.