Flashforge Finder User Manual
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Flashforge Finder 3D Printer
User Guide
Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com

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Summary of Contents for Flashforge Finder

  • Page 1 Flashforge Finder 3D Printer User Guide Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Content Preface..........................3 Introduction.......................... 4 Notice............................5 Chapter 1: 3D Printing Technology..................8 Chapter 2: About Finder....................10 Chapter 3:Unpacking..................... 19 Chapter 4: Hardware Assembly..................24 4.1 Filament Installation...................24 4.2 Printer Start-up....................25 4.3 Loading Filament....................25 4.4 Unloading Filament.................... 28 Chapter 5: Build Plate Leveling..................29 Chapter 5: About Software....................
  • Page 3: Preface

    Flashforge Finder. Even if you are familiar with earlier Flashforge machines or 3D printing technology, we still recommend that you read through this guide, as there is lots of important information about the Finder for you to get a better 3D experience.
  • Page 4: Introduction

    ·The version of the Flashprint is 3.10.0. ·The version of the Firmware is 20160516. ·The device illustrations in the User Guide hall be those of Finder. ·We reserve the right for any errors in text or images and any necessary changes made to technical data.
  • Page 5: Notice

    ① Always use the Finder with a properly grounded outlet. Do not modify Finder plug. ② Do not use Finder in damp or wet locations. Do not expose Finder to burning sun. ③ Do not abuse the cord. ④ Avoid using the device during an electric storm.
  • Page 6 ⑩ Do not remove the models with force. · Environment Requirements Temperature: RT 15-30℃ Moisture: 20%-50% · Filament Requirements Do not abuse the filament. Please make sure you use the Flashforge filament or the filament from the brands accepted by Flashforge. Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 7 IMPLIED WARRATIES OF MERCHANTA- BILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Flashforge shall not be liable for errors contained herein for incidental consequential damages in connection with furnishing, performance or use of this material This document contains proprietary information protected by copyright.
  • Page 8: Chapter 1: 3D Printing Technology

    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. The filament solidifies after it cools down, which happens instantaneously after it is extruded from the nozzle.
  • Page 9 Finder via USB cable, USB stick or Wi-Fi. ③ Build the 3D Model: Once the output file has been transferred to your Finder, it will start to turn the 3D model into a physical object by laying down layers of filament.
  • Page 10: Chapter 2: About Finder

    Chapter 2: About Finder 2.1 About Your Finder 2.1.1 Views Front Right Back 8. Extruder 1. Touch screen 9. Filament intake 2. Power Switch 10. X-axis guide rod 3. Nozzle 11. Spring presser 4. Z-axis guide rod 12. USB cable input 5.
  • Page 11 2.1.2 Terms The glass surface on which the Finder builds an object. Build Plate The blue tape that covers Finder’s build plate so that Build Tape the object can adhere to the build plate well. Build Volume The three dimensional amount of space that an object will use once it is completed.
  • Page 12 Z axis 0.0025mm; XY axis 0.011mm Filament Diameter 1.75mm Nozzle Diameter 0.4mm Build Speed 24CC/hr Software FlashPrint Support Formats stl、obj Windows Mac OS Device Size 420*420*420mm Weight 10.75Kg AC Input 100-240V, 50-60Hz, 100W Connectivity USB cable, USB stick, WIFI Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 13 ) ◆Delete: To delete the print file Print interface ◆Abort: To abort the print job. ◆Pause/Resume: To suspend or resume the print job. ◆Tools: To change filament and set up auto shutdown during printing. Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 14 The default temperature is 230℃. Tap the temperature display bar to set the temperature. To set the preheat temperature. Tap [Yes] to save the setting while tap [No] to cancel the setting. Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 15 ◆X+: The extruder moves to the zero points, that is, to the right direction ◆X-: The extruder moves to the direction opposite to the X+. ◆Z+: The build plate elevates. ◆Z-: The build plate descends. ◆Return arrow Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 16 After the build plate and extruder finish the initial movement, you can tap ‘+’or ‘-’ to adjust the distance between the build plate and nozzle. Z:0. 00 stands for the position where the servo is precisely triggered. Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 17 Tap ‘+’, the arm swings down while tap ‘-’ , the arm swings up. Status: It displays the real-time status of the extruder temperature, fan and filament. About: It displays the basic information about the device. Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 18 Accessories PLA Filament Power Cable USB Cable Filament Guide Tube Quick Start Guide USB stick Allen Wrench(M1.5/M2.0/M2.5) Screwdriver Glue Stick Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 19: Chapter 3: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)Place the packaging box on a clean work surface Open the box, grasp the two handles and then lift your Finder out of the box. (3-2) Finder User Guide |...
  • Page 20 图 3-3 (3-3)Your Finder is wrapped by packaging materials. Next, you should remove these materials. (3-4)Remove the side protective foam sheets. Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 21 Remove the bag to unveil the Finder (3-5) 图 3-6 (3-6)On the top foam sheet, you can see one Quick Start Guide and a tool bag(4GB USB stick*1, leveling knob*1, Allen wrenches*3 and screwdriver*1). 图 3-7 (3-7)Remove the tape on for fixing the flat cable Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 22 (3-8) Cut off four ribbons for fixing the guide rod in place. Then slide the extruder to make sure the extruder be undamaged. 图 3-9 (3-9) Take a spool of filament(Assign random color)out of the Finder. Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 23 3-10 (3-10) Move the build plate up and take the glue stick, power cable and USB cable out . Congratulations! You have unpacked your Finder. Next, let’s move on to hardware assembly of Finder. Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 24: 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) The filament cartridge is at the rear of Finder. Lift the cartridge out of the Finder. Filament Detecting Equipment (4-2) Take out the filament and thread it through the filament detecting equipment.
  • Page 25: Printer Start-Up

    After installing the filament, put the cartridge back to the printer. 4.2 Printer Start-up (4-3)Insert the power supply into the power input on the back of the Finder and plug the power cord into an electrical outlet. (4-4) Press the starter button to start the device.
  • Page 26 (4-6) Insert the filament coming from the filament guide tube into the filament intake. 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.)
  • Page 27 (4-9)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 exits the extruder steadily. Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 28: Unloading Filament

    Press the spring presser 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.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 29: Chapter 5: Build Plate Leveling

    The distance between the plate and nozzle increases while tightening the knobs. On the contrary, the distance reduces. (5-1) Tap [Tools] - [Level] on your Finder touch screen. Please wait while the extruder and platform finish initial movements. After that, you should operate according to the guide on the touch screen.
  • Page 30 (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. (5-5) Repeat steps 2 through 4 above to complete second and third points leveling and Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 31 (7)Then move to the center of the build plate for a check. Confirm that the paper slides between the nozzle and build with a moderate amount friction. (8)Tap the Abort button and finish leveling. Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 32: Chapter 5: About Software

    5.2 Exploring FlashPrint 5. 2.1 Machine Type Selection ! After starting FlashPrint, you need to select the target machine type first. When you start FlashPrint, a dialog box will pop up. Just need to select Flashforge Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 33 Finder in the machine type list and click [OK]. You can also change the machine type [Print]--[Machine type]. Please see graphic 5-2: via clicking 5.2.2 Software Introduction Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 34 Load one or multiple 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...
  • Page 35 Bottom thickness: For tube, canister and lamp to set up bottom thickness Top diameter: For tube, canister and lamp to set up the top diameter Bottom diameter: For tube, canister and lamp to set up the bottom diameter Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 36 5.1.4 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: Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 37 Allow users to reset views by the following two methods: Method 1: Click the [View] menu and select [Home View] Method 2: Click the [View] button on the left, click it again and you will see the viewing options, you can click [Reset]. Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 38 If a specified Platform]. position is needed, only to click 5.1.6 Rotate Select the target object and rotate the object by the following two methods: Method 1: Click the [Rotate] icon on the left and three mutually Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 39 5.1.8 Left-click on the model to select it and double-click on the Cut icon to set the cut plane. The direction and position are available for setting. ①Draw with Mouse Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 40 5.1.9 Supports Supports After loading the model, click [Edit]--[Supports] or click the 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.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 41 Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 42 ).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 ) Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 43 5.1.10 Print 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 Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 44 ● Primeter Shells: Maximize is 10 a. Top Solid Layer: Maximize is 10, minimum is 1. b. Bottom Solid Layer: Maximize is 10, minimum is 1. ● Infill a. Fill Density means fill rate. Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 45 ● Others Pause At Heights: Allows users to pre-set a height in which the print will suspend automatically. The function usually applied when you want to change the Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 46 After finishing the model edit and adjustment, there are two ways below to save all models in the scene. Method 1: [File]--[Save Project] Click in the menu bar, can save the file as a project file which Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 47 Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 48 Method 1: Click [Edit]--[Select All]. Method 2: Press the shortcut Ctrl+A. ⑤ Duplicate Select the object and duplicate the object through the following two methods: Method 1: Click [Edit]--[Duplicate] Method 2: Press the shortcut Ctrl+D Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 49 (Surface to Platform) ⑧Auto 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. Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 50 5.1.13 Print Menus ① Connect Machine You can connect the Finder with your PC via a USB cable or WIFI. Note: The machine icon on the bottom right displays the connection status: Connected Disconnected Method 1:Connect Via USB Cable a. Connect your Finder with your PC via an USB cable.
  • Page 51 If successfully connected, you will see the following red mark. ②Connect Finder with your PC under STA mode a. Turn on the WIFI of Finder and connect your PC with Finder via the WIFI. b.“Finder” continuous signal will be found available on the network list.
  • Page 52 Once your PC is connected with your Finder. Open the Internet browser and user name(admin) enter “10.10.100.254” enter default password(admin). 3. You will enter the WIFI setting panel, it displays as follows: Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 53 DHCP auto get IP, then click [Save]. The following interface will appear. [Restart] e. Click the button. You need to restart your Finder’s WIFI. And then your Finder will connect with your computer via the WIFI that you’ve set up. ②Disconnect Finder Click [Print]--[Disconnect] to disconnect your PC and Finder.
  • Page 54 (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) Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 55 X/Y Speed and Z Speed: Set the move speed of extruder/ build platform. ● Limit Switch: In order to protect your Finder, three limit switches are equipped to control the maximum position, and the three limit switches corresponding to X/Y/Z axis limit switch.
  • Page 56 Step 2: Choose corresponding printer type and firmware version and click [OK] the firmware updating box. After confirming the printer is in free state, the software will automatically update the firmware. Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 57 Step 3 : Reboot you Finder and wait for 4-5 seconds, then you can see the update process bar. When the update finishes, it will go back to the main interface. Step 4:Tap[Tools]--[About] to check] to check whether the updated version is right.
  • Page 58: Chapter 6: Basic Printing

    6.1 Generate a Gcode (6-1)Double-click the icon of Flashprint to start the software. (6-2)Click[Print]--[Machine Type] to select Flashforge Finder (6-3)Click the [Load] icon to load a .stl model file and the object will display on the build area. Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 59 Note:If you’ve place your model in a right place, you can skip the step above. (6-5) Click the Print icon on the top, you should make some setups for your print job. Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 60 Print When Slice Done: If you print via USB cable, you can check the box, while if you print via USB, 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].
  • Page 61: Print Methods

    Files Next, we are going to print the model. 6.2 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. Finder User Guide |...
  • Page 62 6.2.1 Print from Computer (USB connection) ①用Connect your Finder with your PC via a USB cable.(Please refer to 5.1.13) 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.
  • Page 63 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. ● Click the [Print] button, the PC will transfer the Gcode file to the printer. Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 64 ● After finishing transferring, the printer will heat up automatically. And when heating finishes, the print will start to build the model. 6.2.2 Print from USB Flash Disk ①Insert your USB flash disk with target .g or .gx file to your Finder. . Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 65 ②Turn on the Finder. Make sure the build plate has been leveled and the filament is loaded. [Print] and then tap the SD Card icon in the middle. The file(s) will display on ③Tap the screen., Select the file you want to print and tap [Print]. The file will be transferred the printer.
  • Page 66: Chapter 7: Advanced Printing

    Chapter 7: Advanced Printing When you get familiar with your Finder, you will definitely want to accomplish some advanced prints. This chapter will take you to get to know the advanced printing skills. Expert Mode grants the users more freedom of parameter edition. There are two modes are available for users, one is “Basic Mode”...
  • Page 67 Retraction Length: Amount of retraction. Retraction can help users reduce stringing or oozing during printing. (The default value shall be suggested.) b. Speed: Speed at which the filament is retracted. The default value shall be suggested. Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 68 Mode: There are two options for Start Point mode. One is “closest to specific location”, the other is “use random start points”. b. X: The coordinate value of X c. Y: The coordinate value of Y Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 69 . Solid Speed: Speed at which the top/bottom parts are printed. b. Sparse Speed: Speed at which the infill is printed. 3)Combine Infill a. Maximum Combine Layers: Select the layer amount according to the layer height. Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 70 Speed: Speed at which the treelike supports are printed. b. Space to Model(X/Y): The gap between the treelike supports and the model contact surface (in the X/Y directions). c. Shell Count: To control the printing laps for support’s outer shell. Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 71 Increasing the margin will create a stranger raft while using more matrial and leaving less area for your object. c. Space to Model(Z): The gap between the raft top and the model’s first layer. Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 72 Shell Count: To control the printing laps for support shell. c. Space to Model: The minimum distance between the wall and model. d. Speed: Speed at which the wall is printer. Advanced 1)Stepper Motor Voltage(Usually keep default) Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 73 Path Width: The width of the path, the default value is 0.4mm. Keeping default is suggested. c. Path Resolution: The default value is 0.1mm. The bigger the value is, the lower the extrusion resolution is. On the contrary, the extrusion resolution is much higher. Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 74 Enable Adjustments: Enable software to make compensation for errors. b. External Compensation: Enable software to make compensation for the outer diameter error. c. Internal Compensation: Enable software to make compensation for the inner diameter error. Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 75 [Remove] and a dialogue box will pop up for confirmation. Click [Yes] to remove it or click [No] to cancel the current operation. Restore Default: Allows users to restore to the default settings. Save Configuration: Allows users to save the present configuration. Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 76 7.1 Skills on Supports Support structures enable the printing of models with steep overhangs and cantilevered sections. The Finder 3D printer utilizes Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) technology, which works on the additive manufacturing principle of heating and laying down material layer by layer to create an object. Many sophisticated 3D print...
  • Page 77 Treelike Support Structure:Suitable for models with small area overhang(s).(You are suggested printing a raft) Features:Treelike support structure is proprietary to Flashforge Corporation. And this structure can save support material and can be easily removed. However, compared with the linear support structure, it’s of less stability. So you are suggested to manually add more supports after auto-generating treelike supports.
  • Page 78 Treelike support structure× Linear support structure√ Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 79 2) Model with Small-area Overhang Treelike support structure√ Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 80 Linear support structure× Manual Modification For the experienced 3D printer users, the [Add] and [Delete] buttons are suggested using for manually adding or deleting supports. Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 81 1)Manual Add You can add the support structure manually to according to the actual shape of the model. Left click [Add] on the left, and then click on the position when support structure is Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 82 7.3 Skills of Model Placement Not all the models are in the right positions after being loaded. Therefore, you need to place it in an appropriate position for better print quality. Such as the models below, Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 83 5.1.12-⑦Surface to Platform) ① Improper Proper ② Improper Proper ③ Improper Proper Further Reading:Cut Function Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 84 Look at the model below: Picture 7-4 is the preview of the model’s original placement and Picture 7-5 is the preview of the model with support structure. 7—4 (7-5) Model with support structure Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 85 (7-6) Looking at the Picture 7-5, we will definitely find that the complex supports will influence the smoothness of the model. By analyzing the model’s feature, cutting from the Y plane will be suitable. (7-7) The model preview after cutting. Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 86 (7-8) Click [Edit]--[Surface to Platform] to put the flat surfaces onto the platform. 7-10 Comparison Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 87 Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com...
  • Page 88: 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 office website or contact us via telephone.

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