FlashForge Corporation FlashForge Finder 3D Printer User Guide Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.
Content Content............................................................................................................................ 2 Preface.............................................................................................................................3 Introduction..................................................................................................................... 4 Notice..................................................................................................
Preface Note: Each device must be tested before leaving factory. If there are some residues in extruder or some tiny scratches on the build tape, it is normal and won’t affect the printing quality. On the completion of this User Guide, thanks all FlashForge engineers and the FlashForge 3D printer users for their unremitting efforts and sincere assistance. The FlashForge Finder User Guide is designed for the Finder users to start their printing journey with FlashForge Finder.
Introduction Notes: ·Please read FlashForge Finder 3D Printer User Guide carefully before use. ·The User Guide is written based on Windows 7 OS. ·The version of the FlashPrint is latest. The FlashForge Finder 3D Printer User Guide contains the information needed for you to set up and use this device. This User Guide including the following parts: Preface, Introduction and After-sale service.
Notice Safety Notice ! Notices: Read all the instructions in the manual and familiarize yourself with the FlashForge Finder User Guide before setting-up and using. Failure to comply with the warning and instructions may result in individual injury, fire, equipment damage or property damage. PLEASE STRICTLY FOLLOW ALL THE SAFETY WARNINGS AND NOTICE BELOW ALL THE TIME. · Work Environment Safety ① Keep your work place tidy. ② Do not operate Finder in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust.
gloves away from moving parts. ④ Do not operate the device while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. · Cautions ① Do not leave the device unattended for long. ② Do not make any modifications to the device. ③ To lower the build plate before loading/unloading filament. (The distance between the nozzle and build plate should be kept for at least 50mm) ④ Operate the device in a well-ventilated environment. ⑤ Never use the device for illegal activities.
filament from the brands accepted by FlashForge. · Filament Storage All polymers degrade with time. Do not unpack filament until necessary. Filament should be stored at clean and dry conditions. Legal Notice All the information in this document is subject to any amendment or change without the official authorization from FlashForge.
Chapter 1: 3D Printing Technology 3D printing refers to transforming three-dimensional models into physical objects that you can hold and touch. It is also called additive manufacturing because the 3D model is created by “adding” layers upon layers of material until the object is fully formed. Fused Filament Fabrication(FFF) is the most common method of 3D printing. It is also the method that the Finder uses. It works by melting plastic material called filament onto a print surface in high temperature.
scanner. ·From the Cloud The most popular way of obtaining a 3D model is to download it from websites that allow users to upload 3D models that they designed. E.g. : www. thingiverse.com 1.1.2 Slice and Export the 3D Model: Slice software is the software that prepares 3D models for printing and turns them into instructions for the 3D printers. FlashPrint is the slicing software used for the FlashForge Finder. Using FlashPrint, you can turn stl. files into g. or gx. files for printing.
Chapter 2: About Finder 2.1 About Your Finder 2.1.1 Views Front Top 14 Right Back 15 1. Touch screen 6. Leveling knob 11. Spring presser 2. Touch screen button 7. Filament cartridge 12. USB stick input 3. Nozzle 8. Extruder 13. USB cable input 4. Z-axis guide rod 9. Filament intake 14. Power input 5. Build plate 10. X-axis guide rod 15. Power switch Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.
2.1.2 Terms Build Plate The surface on which the Finder builds an object. Build Tape The blue tape that covers Finder’s build plate so that the object can stick to the build plate well. The three dimensional amount of space that an object Build Volume will use once it is completed. The largest build volume of Finder is 140*140*140mm. Knobs under the build platform that are used for Leveling Knobs adjusting the distance between the nozzle and build plate.
2.1.3 Reference Name Finder Number of Extruder 1 Print Technology Fused Filament Fabrication(FFF) Screen Size 3.5’’ color IPS Touch Screen Build Volume 140×140×140mm Layer Resolution 0.05 - 0.4mm Build Accuracy ±0.1-0.2mm Positioning Accuracy Z axis 0.0025mm; XY axis 0.011mm Filament Diameter 1.75mm(±0.07) Nozzle Diameter 0.
2.1.4.1 Interface Menus Build Read the print file from The local memory card The USB stick Back Choose Batch files 1. Tap and hold to select the file 2. Select the file you want to delete 3. The selected file has a tag (on the right) 4. Tap the delete icon at the top right to delete all the selected files Select the target print file among the list Build: To begin printing Copy: To copy the files to the local memory card from the USB stick.
Print interface Abort: To abort the print job. Pause/Resume: To suspend or resume the print job. Tools:To check status or modify settings during printing: build time, Z axis, filament used, printing speed, light status, change filament, finish-shutdown. Extruder temperature: Can be changed during printing.
2.1.4.2 Preheat Menus Preheat Tap the [Preheat] to enter the preheat interface. Tap the [Start] to heat up to the setting temperature. The default temperature is 220℃. Tap the temperature display bar to set the temperature. To set the preheat temperature. Tap [Yes] to save the setting , [No] to cancel the setting. The picture displays the preheat interface. It shows the real-time temperature and the target temperature. Tap the [Abort] button to abort the preheat job.
2.1.4.3 Tool Menus Tools Tap [Tools] to enter tool options. Filament: To load/unload the filament. Level: To adjust the build plate. Home: To make the X, Y and Z axes back to the zero point. Manual: To manually adjust the positions of X, Y and Z axes. Setting: To implement relevant function setups. Status: The check the real-time status of the printer. About: Information about the printer.
Tap [Setting] to enter the setting interface Language: To set the display language WiFi: To turn on/off the WiFi. Wlan hotspot: To turn on/off the Wlan hotspot. Polar Cloud Connection: To turn on/off the Polar Cloud Connection. Extruder Calibration: To adjust the initial distance between the extruder and the build plate. Startup Sound: To turn on/off the Startup Sound. Filament Check: To turn on/off the filament check. Light Bar Control: To turn on/off the light bar control.
WLan hotspot OFF/On: To turn on/off the Wlan hotspot. Setup Wlan hotspot:To set the SSID and password. SSID:The name of hotspot. Password: The password of hotspot. Save: To save the setting. Back Polar Cloud Connection: Cloud Connection: To turn on/off the polar cloud connection. Setup Cloud Connection: To set cloud connection ID and PIN which have already been registered on: https://pc2.polar3d.com/login ID: The name of Cloud Connection. PIN: The password of Cloud Connection.
Extruder Calibration Adjust Z-axis to the right position and tap [OK] +: The build plate elevates. -: The build plate descends. OK: To save the setting and back to setting menus. Back The proper distance may be one ordinary paper’s thickness. Note: Please do this operation after contacting with our after-sale engineer. Turn on/off [Startup Sound]: Tap to turn on/off the sound when restart the printer. Filament Check On: The filament detection is turned on.
Power Saving Mode Off The power saving mode status is turned off. Automatically shut down will not work. Factory Reset:Return to factory setting. Update: To update the firmware version. Back Status: It displays the real-time status of the extruder temperature and filament. About: It displays the basic information about the device. License It displays the basic information about the license. Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.
2.2 Accessories Filament*1 Quick Start Guide Glue Stick After-sale Card Power Cable USB Cable Filament Guide Tube USB stick Screwdriver Allen Wrench(M2.0/2.5) Stamping Wrench Unclogging Pin Tool PTFE Tube Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.
Chapter 3:Unpacking (reference video:Unpacking) This chapter will present you the whole unpacking procedure of Finder 3D printer.(Note: Make sure you read the whole unpacking guide) 3-1 (3-1) Place the packaging box on a clean work surface. 3-2 (3-2)Open the box, grasp the two handles and then lift your Finder out of the box. Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.
3-3 (3-3) Your Finder is wrapped by packaging materials, remove these materials step by step. 3-4 (3-4) Remove the side protective foam sheets. 3-5 Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.
(3-5) Remove all protective wrapping, and then you will see your Finder. 3-6 (3-6)On the top foam sheet, you can see one Quick Start Guide and a tool bag( USB stick*1, leveling knob*1, Allen wrenches*2, stamping wrench*1, unclogging pin tool*1, grease*1, and screwdriver*1). 3-7 . (3-7)Remove the tape on the extruder for fixing the flat cable 3-8 Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.
(3-8) Cut off four ribbons that used for fixing the guide rod. Then slide the extruder to make sure the extruder is in good condition. 3-9 (3-9) Take the filament(Assign random color)out of the Finder. 3-10 (3-10) Lift the build plate up and take out the glue stick, power cable, power adapter and USB cable. Congratulations! You have unpacked your Finder. Next, let’s move on to hardware assembly of Finder. Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.
Chapter 4: Hardware Assembly Your Finder has been installed before leaving factory, you can start up the Finder for printing after mounting the filament spool and completing leveling. 4.1 Filament Installation 4-1 (4-1) The filament cartridge is at the rear of Finder. Lift the cartridge out of the Finder. The black part is Filament Detecting Equipment 4-2 (4-2) Take out the filament and thread it through the filament detecting equipment.
After installing the filament, put the cartridge back to the printer. 4.2 Printer Start-up 4-3 (4-3)Insert the power supply into the power input on the back of the Finder and plug the power cable into an electrical outlet. Then turn on the power switch. 4-4 (4-4) Press the touch screen button to start the device. 4.3 Loading Filament For stable filament loading and proper device protection, you need to install the filament guide tube properly.
(4-6) Insert the filament from the filament guide tube into the filament intake. 4-6 Next, we will load the FlashForge filament.(Note: Please lower the build plate to increase the distance between the nozzle and build plate to 50mm at least for avoiding nozzle jam.) 4-7 (4-7) Tap [Tools]. 图 4-6 4-8 (4-8) Tap [Filament]--[Load] Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.
4-9 (4-9)After the extruder’s temperature reaches 220℃, the printer will sound a beep to prompt you to load the filament into the extruder. 4-10 ( 4-10 ) Press the spring presser,and then insert the filament into the extruder at an upright angle. Then the filament will be drawn through the extruder. Do not tap [Cancel] until the filament load the extruder steadily. 4.4 Unloading Filament 4-11 Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.
(4-11) Tap [Tools]-[Filament]-[Unload] and the extruder starts heating up. 、 4-12 (4-12) After the extruder reaches 220℃, the printer will sound a beep to prompt you to unload the filament from the extruder. Press the spring presser, press down the filament for about three seconds and gently pull the filament out. Note: Do not pull out the filament with force as it will damage the gears. If the melted filament has cooled down in the extruder, please repeat the steps above. Finder User Guide | www.
Chapter 5: Build Plate Leveling Finder creatively adopts three-point intelligent leveling system, which will give clear and comprehensive feedback to users. There are three spring-loaded knobs under the build platform. The distance between the plate and nozzle increases while tightening the knobs. On the contrary, the distance reduces. 5-1 (5-1) Tap [Tools] - [Level] on your Finder touch screen. Please wait while the extruder and platform finish initial movements.
(5-2) After tapping [Yes], the extruder starts to move towards the first point and the plate moves up and down to verify the distance between nozzle and plate. 5-3 (5-3) When it shows that the distance is too big, please unscrew corresponding nut under platform clockwise until hearing a steady beep and the [Verify] button appears. 5-4 (5-4) If the distance is appropriate, tap [OK] to second point leveling. If still not, please follow the prompts to adjust again till you see [OK] button.
Chapter 6: About Software This chapter talks about the basic function of FlashPrint. For more information about advanced function, you can browse our website www.FlashForge.com. 6.1 Software Installation 6.1.1 Software Acquisition Method 1: To get the installation package from the USB stick in the toolkit. Method 2: Open the link below to download the installation package: http://www.flashforge.com Steps: Support---Downloads---FlashPrint---choose the software version---download 6.1.
6.2 Exploring FlashPrint 6. 2.1 Machine Type Selection Note! After starting FlashPrint, you need to select the target machine type first. When you start FlashPrint, a dialog box will pop up. Just select FlashForge Finder in the machine type list and click [OK]. You can also change the machine type via clicking [Print]--[Machine type]. See graphic 6-2: 6-2 6.2.2 Software Introduction 6-3 Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.
Load files. Enter the support edit mode. Print it directly with your Finder or export to your USB Stick. View FlashPrint home screen from one of six viewing angles. Move model around on XY-plane; shift+click to move along Z axis. Turn and rotate your model. Scale the size of your object. Cut model into several parts. 6.2.3 Loading You can load a model file or Gcode file into your FlashPrint by the following six methods: Method 1: Click the [Load] on the main interface. Then select the object file.
FlashPrint. Generating Rilievo Loading a png, jpg, jpeg, bmp picture file into the FlashPrint. And the following dialogue box(6-3) will pop up. The setting box includes settings for shape, mode, maximum thickness, base thickness, bottom thickness,width, height, top diameter and bottom diameter. Shape: including plane, tube, canister and lamp. Mode: including “darker is higher” and “lighter is higher”.
Plane(6-5) Tube(6-6) Cansiter(6-7) Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.
Lamp(6-8) Seal(6-9) 6.2.4 Views ①Changing views Change model views by moving, rotating, scaling. ● Drag Click the [View] icon and then you can move the object by the following three methods: Method 1: Hold down the left mouse button and drag. Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.
Method 2: Hold down the mouse wheel and scroll up and down. Method 3: Hold down the Shift key, hold down the right mouse button and drag. ● Rotate Click the [View] icon and then you can rotate the object by the following two methods: Method 1. Hold down the right mouse button and drag. Method 2. Hold down the Shift key, hold down the left mouse button and drag. ● Scale Rotate the mouse wheel to enlarge or shrink the build plate. ②Set View Allows users to view the object on the build plate.
⑤Show Steep Overhang Click [View]--[Show Steep Overhang]. When the intersection angle between the model surface and horizontal line is within the overhang threshold value, the surface has steep overhang and it becomes red in the software. Overhang threshold value could be set as needed. The default value is 45 degree. 6.2.
Method 2: Click the [Rotate] icon on the left, and then enter into rotating angel values in X/Y/Z axes positioning. Click [Reset] to reset rotating angel values. 6.2.7 Scale Select the target object and scale the object by the following two methods: Method 1: Click the [Scale] icon on the left, hold down the left mouse button and scale the model. The corresponding values will display near the object. Method 2: Click the [Scale] icon on the left and then enter into scale values in X/Y/Z axes positioning.
③Y Plane ④Z Plane 6.2.9 Supports After loading the model, click [Edit]--[Supports] or click the Supports icon directly, then you will enter the support edit mode(as shown in the picture below). Click [Back] to exit when you finish editing. Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.
①Support Options Click the Support Options, an option box will appear, supports options include “treelike”and “linear”, when choose “treelike”, click [OK], then it will generate treelike structure; when choose “linear”, click [OK], then it will generate linear structure; if it is a model with supports, when you choose one of the supports options, software will judge whether existing supports need to be deleted or not on the basis of the type of existing support, and will pop up the corresponding prompt to l
highlight the support review). Loosen the left mouse button, if support column doesn’t meet with model, then support will be generated on origin and terminal point(the highlighted preview support won’t generate support structure) ④ Clear Supports Click [Clear Supports], all supports will be deleted. The operation can be repealed via clicking [Undo] or pressing the shortcut key Ctrl+Z. ⑤Delete Supports Supports will be deleted once clicking the [Delete] button.
①Preview: Choose to enter preview interface or not ②Print when slice done: Print or not when slice done ③Material type: Choose according to the type of model ④Supports: When print suspended structure models, support is necessary. Click [supports] to create support part for the printing. ⑤Raft: This function will help the model to stick well on the platform. ⑥Wall: During dual color printing, this function will help to clear the leaking filament of another extruder.
a. Top Solid Layer: Maximize is 30, minimum is 1. b. Bottom Solid Layer: Maximize is 30, minimum is 1. ● Infill a. Fill Density means fill rate. b. Fill Pattern is the pattern of filling shape which effects printing duration. c. Combine Infill: You can select the layers for combining according to the layer thickness. The combined thickness should not exceed 0.4mm. “Every N layers” is for all the infills while “Every N inner layers” is only for inner infills, which generally can save print time.
suspend automatically. The function usually applied when you want to change the filament at a certain point. 6-14 (6-14) Click [Edit], then you can add or remove a height. 6.2.11 File Menus ①New Project Click [File]--[New Project] can build a blank project. If there is an unsaved modification on previous project, then it will inform you whether the modification needs to be saved or not. Click [Yes] will save the modification, click [No] will abandon it.
reloading the files, extruder configuration information and model position will be the same as the configuration during saving. Method 2: Click on [File]--[Save as...] to save the model as project file .fpp or .stl and .obj. For .stl and .boj, models are integrated as one(include support part). If load it again, only the position of the model was saved, not included the printing parameters. ③ Preferences Click [File]--[Preferences], you can choose language and if needs detecting update when start.
6.2.12 Edit Menus ①Undo Allows users to undo the recent edits by the following two methods: Method 1: Click [Edit]--[Undo]. Method 2: Press the shortcut Ctrl+Z. ② Redo Allows users to redo the most recent edit you have undone to your model file by the following two methods Method 1: Click [Edit]--[Redo] Method 2: Press the shortcut Ctrl+Y. ③Empty Undo-stack To clean up the recorded operating steps so as to release the memory.
⑥ Delete Select the object and delete the object through the following two methods: Method 1: Click [Edit]--[Delete] Method 2: Press the shortcut Delete ⑦ Auto Layout All Click [Edit]--[Auto Layout All] after loading one or more than one models, all models will be placed automatically as automatic placement rule. ⑧ Repair Models Click [Edit]--[Repair Models] to repair models. ⑨ Supports Click [Edit]--[Supports] to enter supports setting interface. 6.2.
Finally click [Connect] button to connect to the printer. If you still can not find your machine after rescan, it means you haven’t installed the driver in the software. 6-18 Method 2: Connect Via WiFi ①Connect Finder with your PC under AP mode a.Turn on your Finder b.Tap [Tools]-[Setting]-[Wlan]-[Wlan ON] c. Click on the wireless network on the left bottom of your computer, and find the wireless signal-“Finder”. Click [Connect] to connect your computer with “Finder”. d.
②Connect Finder with your PC under STA mode a. Tap [Tools]-[Setting]-[WiFi]-[WiFi ON] to turn on the WiFi of Finder and connect your PC and Finder with the same WiFi network. b. Click [Print]-[Connect Machine] on FlashPrint. Then the following dialog box pops up. You need to select “Wi-Fi” in Connect Mode. Enter into the IP Address shown on the Finder touch screen and then click [Connect]. If successfully connected, you will see the following red mark.
6.2.14 Tool Menus ①Control Panel After connecting PC with Finder, click [Tools]--[Control Panel] to open the control panel. 6-23 ● Jog Controls a. Jog Mode:Select the distance that extruder/ build plate move a single time (that is, the distance extruder/ build plate move upon your single click). b. Six blue arrow direction button: Control the move along X/Y/Z axis. X/Y axis button control extruder move, Z axis button control build plate move.
extruder/build plate. e. Make Current Position Zero button: Set the current position of the extruder/build plate as (0, 0, 0). (NOTE: X, Y, and Z boxes are for display purposes. Changing the value in the boxes will not affect anything. f. Center X/Y/Z button: Extruder and build platform will back to the zero (0, 0, 0) you set last time. g. X/Y Speed and Z Speed: Set the move speed of extruder/ build platform.
and filament unload. Furthermore, if you want to stop filament load and unload, you can click [Stop]. ● Temperature Control: Input the temperature you want to get in the left frame, click [Apply], the printer will automatically heat the corresponding part, the right side shows the current actual temperature of corresponding part.
process bar. When the update finishes, it will go back to the main interface. Step 4:Tap [Tools]--[About] to check whether the updated version is right. ③ On Board Preferences When the computer and printer are in connection, click [Tools]--[On Board Preferences], you can check the printer name. ④ Machine information When the computer and printer are in connection state, click [Tools]--[Machine information], you can check the machine type, machine name and firmware etc. 6.2.
Chapter 7: Basic Printing This chapter will provide a step-by-step guide on turning a 3D model into a physical reality. Before proceeding, it is recommended that you’d better go over prior chapters on loading/unloading filament, leveling the build platform, and the functions and capabilities of FlashPrint. 7.1 Generate a Gcode (7-1)Double-click the icon of FlashPrint to start the software. 7-1 (7-2)Click [Print]--[Machine Type] to select FlashForge Finder 7-2 (7-3)Click the [Load] icon to load a .
on the build area. Click [Back] and double-click the Move icon again, then click [On the Platform] and [Center] to ensure the model be on the platform. 7-4 Note:If you’ve place your model in a right place, you can skip the step above. (7-5) Click the [Print] icon on the top, you should make some setups for your print job. 7-5 Preview: If you check the [Preview] box, you can preview your model after slicing is Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.
done. Print When Slice Done: If you print via USB cable, you can check the box, while if you print via USB stick, you should not check the box. Machine Type: FlashForge Finder Supports: If you print a model with supports, you should click the inverted triangle and select [Enable]. Raft: You are suggested to select [Enable]. Resolution: You are suggested to select [Standard] More Options: You are suggested to keep them default. Click [OK] to select the path to save the Gcode file.
7.2 Print Methods After generating the Gcode file, you can transfer it to your Finder. You can transfer the file through USB cable and USB stick. 7.2.1 Print from Computer (USB connection) ①Connect your Finder with your PC via a USB cable. ②Turn on your Finder, level the build plate and load the filament. ③ Click [Print] and transfer your Gcode file to your Finder. After completing transference, the printer will heat up automatically. And when heating finishes, the print will start to build the model.
If you want to print a Gcode from a local folder, you just need to load the file into FlashPrint at the status of USB connection or WiFi connection, then click the [Print] button on the top-right. ● Load the target Gcode file into FlashPrint. 7-9 ● Click the [Print] button, the PC will transfer the Gcode file to the printer. 7-10 ● After finishing transferring, the printer will heat up automatically. And when heating finishes, the print will start to build the model. Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.
7-11 7.2.3 Print from USB Stick ①Insert your USB stick with target .g or .gx file to your Finder. . ②Turn on the Finder. Make sure the build plate has been leveled and the filament is loaded. ③Tap [Print] and then tap the USB Stick Card icon in the middle. The file(s) will be displayed on the screen. Select the file you want to print and tap [Print]. The file will be transferred to the printer.
7.2.4 Print from Polar Cloud connection 1 Register a Polar Cloud account with your computer, on website: https://pc2.polar3d.com/login Register your account using one of the four following options, take the third microsoft live option as an example, create your new Polar Cloud account. 2 Enter the Polar Cloud homepage after you create your Polar Cloud account.
Connect the printer to internet with WiFi ; Tap [Tools]-[Settings]-[Polar Cloud connection] on printer’s touch screen; Input your Cloud Connection ID and PIN Code, Tap[save] . 3 Enter the Polar Cloud homepage with your computer again. Tap the red circled icon(on the left upper corner showed in the picture below), then Tap [OBJECTS], Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.
Enter the objects page, choose a model you are going to print. Tap【3D PRINT】button Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.
Tap【PRINT】button Tap【START】button,the printer starts downloading printing file automatically,after downloading completed,you can interactively operate the printer on your computer, including Change Filament, Pause, Stop etc. Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.
Chapter 8 Supports and Service FlashForge team is on standby and ready to help you with any challenges you may have with your Finder. If the issues or questions are not covered in this User Guide, you can seek for solutions on our official website or contact us via telephone. There are solutions and instructions to common issues that can be found in our knowledge base. Have a look first as most basic questions are answered there. http://www.FlashForge.