Printer comparison
Positron V3.2 vs UltiMaker Factor 4
Compare hardware, build volume, printing specifications, dated prices and sources.
2 selected · all documented properties
Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore Positron V3.2 comparisonsMore UltiMaker Factor 4 comparisons
| Property | Positron V3.2COREXY | UltiMaker Factor 4INDUSTRIAL |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Brand | Positron3D | UltiMaker |
| Class | COREXY | INDUSTRIAL |
| Identity & Market | ||
| Manufacturer & exact marketed model name (verify the exact product identity first) | LDO Positron v3.2 3D Printer Kit, revision v3.2 Rev A[1] | UltiMaker Factor 4[2] |
| Release date (announcement and actual shipping) | Not documented | Announced 22 April 2024, shown at HANNOVER MESSE 2024 (22-26 April) and TCT Asia (7-9 May 2024)[2] |
| Launch MSRP (USD) | Not documented | Starting at approximately $20,000[2] |
| Variants & sibling models — and how to tell them apart (spec-contamination risk) | The defining trait is the inverted geometry: the print head is below the bed and the machine prints upside down. Sold as a self-assembly kit; the complete printed-parts set is a separate purchase. A hard storage case is included[1] | Shares the 330 x 240 x 300 mm envelope with the UltiMaker S5, S7 and S8, which is the single most contaminated figure in UltiMaker's range. What separates the Factor 4 is the actively controlled 70 °C build volume, the climate-controlled 6-spool material station holding humidity below 15%, and HEPA filtration. UltiMaker also sells a Factor 4 Plus[2] |
| Physical & Frame | ||
| Build volume X×Y×Z (mm) — advertised vs actually usable | 180 x 180 x 165 mm[1] | 330 x 240 x 300 mm[2] |
| Machine footprint (mm) & clearance needed (cable/spool overhang) | 200 x 200 x 70 mm folded, 200 x 200 x 270 mm unfolded[1] | Not documented |
| Net weight (kg) | 3 kg net; 5.5 kg with the hard case[1] | Not documented |
| Frame construction & material | Folding frame designed to fit in a filament box; supplied with a black hard case[1] | Not documented |
| Enclosure: open / enclosed; panel material; door/lid | Open frame[1] | Enclosed with actively controlled chamber airflow and a HEPA filter[2] |
| Passive chamber temperature reached (if enclosed; measured values preferred) | Not documented | Build volume temperature controlled up to 70 °C with actively controlled chamber airflow (manufacturer specification)[2] |
| Kinematics & Motion Hardware | ||
| Kinematics (bedslinger i3 / CoreXY / other) | CoreXY, inverted — the machine prints upside down[1] | Direct-drive dual extrusion; kinematic layout not stated in the source checked[2] |
| Speed & Acceleration | ||
| Max print speed (claimed, mm/s) | 250 mm/s maximum print speed (manufacturer claim)[1] | Not documented |
| Max acceleration (claimed, mm/s²) | 8,000 mm/s2 (manufacturer claim)[1] | Not documented |
| Extruder | ||
| Type (direct drive / bowden) & design name | Bowden-style, single extrusion[1] | Direct-drive dual extrusion[2] |
| Filament diameter | Not documented | 2.85 mm[2] |
| Hotend & Nozzle | ||
| Hotend design (proprietary/standard; quick-swap mechanism?) | PS plated-copper nozzle, 0.4 mm[1] | Not documented |
| Max nozzle temp claimed AND firmware max temp limit (both values) | 260 °C maximum (manufacturer claim)[1] | 340 °C maximum with the high-temperature print core (manufacturer claim)[2] |
| Stock nozzle material (brass / hardened steel / plated copper / composite tip) | Plated copper[1] | Not documented |
| Heated Bed & Surface | ||
| Max bed temp claimed AND firmware limit | 85 °C maximum bed temperature — the lowest in this group, and the reason the material list stops at PETG[1] | Not documented |
| Bed surface (material, texture, coating), single/double-sided | Heated removable ITO glass bed[1] | Not documented |
| Filament Handling & Detection | ||
| Spool holder location & max spool size; drybox compatibility | Not documented | Automatic climate-controlled material handling and storage station holding humidity below 15%, storing up to six spools[2] |
| Cooling & Air Handling | ||
| Chamber/exhaust fan & filtration (activated carbon / HEPA) | Not documented | HEPA filter[2] |
| Electronics & Power | ||
| Mainboard model & MCU (exact chip markings if teardowns exist) | LDO Positron mainboard[1] | Not documented |
| PSU (brand, wattage, rail voltage) | DC 24 V, 200 W[1] | Not documented |
| Firmware & Openness | ||
| Firmware base & current version (Klipper fork / Marlin fork / proprietary) | Klipper[1] | Not documented |
| Connectivity, UI & Camera | ||
| Display: size, type, touch? | 3.5-inch LCD touchscreen[1] | Not documented |
| WiFi (band/standard), Ethernet, USB ports, SD/flash-drive | Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet[1] | Not documented |
| Calibration Routines & QoL | ||
| Assembly level & time from unbox to first print | Self-assembly kit, manufactured in China[1] | Not documented |
| Materials Support | ||
| Officially supported filament list | PLA and PETG only, per the manufacturer[1] | UltiMaker-branded PPS CF, PLA, Tough PLA, Nylon, PETG, PET CF and PVA, plus validated third-party materials from BASF Forward AM, Kimya, Polymaker, LEHVOSS and Jabil[2] |
| Independently Measured Performance | ||
| Dimensional accuracy measurements (third-party, with numbers) | Not documented | Dimensional accuracy within +/-0.2 mm or +/-0.2% of feature nominal length; UltiMaker states it tested over 95% print-completion success. Manufacturer figures, not independent measurements[2] |
Manufacturer claims, independent measurements, packages and test conditions retain their source wording. FDM linear speed and resin vertical speed use different units and are not directly comparable. Unknown values are marked “Not documented”. Prices and source dates remain historical snapshots; check the linked guide for product details. Differences highlight text, not a universal winner.
Sources for this comparison
- LDO Positron v3.2 3D Printer Kit matterhackers.com · 2026-08 · vendor
- UltiMaker Factor 4: technical specifications and pricing 3dprintingindustry.com · 2026-08 · review