FLASHFORGE 3D PRINTER Finder User Manual

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Page 1 3D Printer User Guide Note! The Quick Start Guide and the User Guide may change over time. You can check the latest version online at www.flashforge.com der User Guide | www.flashforge.com Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 2: Table Of Contents
Preface ................................4 Notes： ................................5 Introduction ............................... 5 Chapter 1: 3D Printing Technology ......................9 Chapter 2: About Finder ..........................10 Chapter 3：Unpacking ..........................25 Chapter 4: Hardware Assembly ....................... 29 Chapter 5: Build Plate Leveling ........................ 33 Chapter 6: About Software ........................35 Chapter 7: Basic Printing ...........................
Page 3: Preface
FlashForge Finder. Even if you are familiar with earlier FlashForge machines or 3D printing technology, we still recommend that please read this guide, as there is lots of important information about the Finder for you to get a better 3D experience.
Page 4: Notes
· 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.
Page 5 ①Always use the Finder with a properly grounded outlet. Do not refit Finder plug. ②Do not use Finder in damp or wet locations. Do not expose Finder to burning sun. ③In case of device damage, please use the power supply provided by FlashForge.
Page 6 35cm. · Filament Requir ements Do not abuse the filament. Please make sure you use the FlashForge filament or the der User Guide | www.flashforge.com Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 7 This document contains proprietary information protected by copyright. Copyright © 2018 FlashForge Corp. All Rights Reserved der User Guide | www.flashforge.com Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
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 1.1.3 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
7. Filament cartridge 2. Touch screen button 13. USB cable input 8. Extruder 3. Nozzle 14. Power input 9. Filament intake 4. Z-axis guide rod 15. Power switch 10. X-axis guide rod 5. Build plate Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 11 2.1.2 Terms The 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 stick to the build plate well. The three dimensional amount of space that an object Build Volume will use once it is completed.
Page 12 Nozzle Diameter 0.4mm Build Speed 30-150 mm/s FlashPrint、Support Simplify3D Software Support Formats Input:GX/G Win xp/Vista/7/8/10、Mac OS、Linux Device Size 420*420*420mm Net Weight AC Input Input:DC24V 2.71A 65W USB cable, USB stick, WiFi, Connectivity FlashForge Cloud, Polar Cloud Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 13  Copy: To copy the files to the local memory card from the USB stick.(The button is not available while printing from local memory card )  Delete: To delete the print file  Back Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 14  Cancel: To end the tool interface and return to the print interface. To set the printing speed during printing Tap the speed figure to adjust; Tap [Yes] to save the setting while tap [No] to cancel the setting. Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 15 The picture displays the preheat interface. It shows the real-time temperature and the target temperature. Tap the [Abor t] button to abort the preheat job. Tap [Back] to back to the previous interface but not abort the preheat job. Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 16  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.  Back Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 17  Light Bar Control: To turn on/off the light bar control. Factory Reset：Return to factory setting. Update: To update the firmware version. Back WiFi:  Turn on WiFi: Turn on the WiFi, release the WiFi hotspot and set the WiFi on computer. Back Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 18 ID: The email address of your Cloud account. PIN: The PIN code of your Cloud account. Save: To save the setting. Back (Note: To use polar cloud printing function, you need to connect the printer to internet with WiFi ) Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 19 Power Saving Mode On The power saving mode status is turned If there is no operation within half an hour, the printer will automatically shut down. (Power saving mode will not work in the process of printing) Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 20 It displays the real-time status of the extruder temperature and filament and X,Y, Z coordinates. About:(First page) It displays the basic information about the device. About:(Second page) It displays the basic information about the device. Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 21 License It displays the basic information about the license. Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 22 Accessor ies Filament*1 Power Cable USB Cable Filament Guide Tube Quick Start Guide Grease Screwdriver Allen Wrench(M2.0/2.5) Glue Stick Stamping Wrench Unclogging Pin Tool Power Adapter After-sale Card PTFE Tube Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 23 Used to tighten or untighten the nozzle or teflon tube or other parts when maintenance, please refer to flashforge support team before you take maintenance steps, for printer and user good.  Unclogging Pin Tool Used to unclog extruder parts (filament intake, filament feeding wheel, Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 24  PTFE Tube Used in the extruder and can be replaced after using for a long time, please refer to flashforge support team before you take maintenance steps, for printer and user good. Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 25: Chapter 3：Unpacking
(Note: Make sur e you r ead the whole unpacking guide) 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. （3-1） (3-2) Remove the side insert.
Page 26 (3-3) Remove the top insert. (3-4) You will see Quick Start Guide, power cable, After-sales Service Card ， Filament Guide Tube and tool bag. Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 27 (3-6) Cut off the four ribbons that used for fixing the guide rod. Then slide the extruder to make sure the extruder is in good condition. (3-7) Remove the middle insert. A spool of filament is packed inside. Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 28 (3-8) Lift the build plate up and take out the glue stick, power adapter and USB cable. (3-9)Remove the two buckles that hold the Z-axis guide rods Congratulations! You have unpacked your Finder. Next, let’s move on to hardware assembly of Finder.
Page 29: Chapter 4: Hardware Assembly
4.1 Filament Installation (4-1) The filament cartridge is at the rear of Finder. Lift the cartridge out of the Finder. (4-2) Take out the filament and thread it through the filament detecting equipment.
Page 30 (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) 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.
Page 31 50mm at least for avoiding nozzle jam.) (4-7) Tap [Tools]. 图4-6 (4-8) Tap [Filament]--[Load] （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. Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 32 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 (4-11) Tap [Tools]-[Filament]-[Unload] and the extruder starts heating up. Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 33 Note: Do not pull out the filament with for ce as it will damage the gear s. If the melted filament has cooled down in the extr uder , please r epeat the steps above. Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 34: Chapter 5: Build Plate Leveling
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 nuts under the build platform. The distance between the plate and nozzle increases while tightening the nuts.
Page 35 [OK] button. (5-5) Repeat steps 2 through 4 according to the prompts on the touchscreen to complete second and third points leveling and then Tap [Finish] to exit. Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 36: Chapter 6: About Software
1. Decompress the zipped file or start the installation program, and then install the software according to the direction. 2. Start the software with the start menu shortcut or by clicking the software icon.(See 6-1) Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 37 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...
Page 38 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.
Page 39 Bottom thickness: For tube, canister and lamp to set up bottom thickness Top diameter: For tube, canister lamp and seal to set up the top diameter Bottom diameter: For tube, canister, lamp and seal to set up the bottom diameter Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 40 Plane(6-5) Tube（6-6） Cansiter(6-7) Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 41 Change model views by moving, rotating, scaling. ● Dr ag 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.com...
Page 42 [View] button on the left, click it again and you will see the viewing options, you can click [Reset]. ④Show Model Outline Click [View]--[Show Model Outline], it will highlight the yellow border of the object Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 43 Click one ring and rotate on the present axis, you will see the rotation angle and direction in the center of circle. In this way, you could make the model rotate on X/Y/Z axis. Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 44 6.2.8 Left-click on the model to select it and double-click on the [Cut] to set the cut plane. The direction and position are available for setting. ①Draw with Mouse ②X Plane Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 45 After loading the model, click [Edit]--[Suppor ts] or click the Suppor ts 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.com...
Page 46 Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 47 Supports will be deleted once clicking the [Delete] button. Move the cursor to the supports needed deleting, current supports and its subnode support will be highlighted, click the left mouse button to delete these highlighted support. 6.2.10 Pr int 6-12 Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 48 Maximize is 0.4mm, usually the default is OK. c. Shell: Contains the outside shell value, capping layer value (under vase pattern, top solid layer setting is invalid). Pr imeter Shells: Maximize is 10 ● Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 49 Note: Different temperatures have subtle influences in prints. Please adjust the temperature according to the condition in order to get a good print. ● Other s Pause At Heights: Allows users to pre-set a height in which the print will Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 50 Method 1: Click [File]--[Save Pr oject] in the menu bar to save the file as a project file with the “.fpp”suffix, all models in the scene (include support) are independent . After Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 51 Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 52 Method 1: Click [Edit]--[Select All]. Method 2: Press the shortcut l+A. ⑤Duplicate Select the object and duplicate the object through the following two methods: Method 1: Click [Edit]--[Duplicate] Method 2: Press the shortcut Ctr l+D Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 53 [Edit]--[Suppor ts] to enter supports setting interface. 6.2.13 Pr int Menus ①Connect 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...
Page 54 You need to select “Wi-Fi” in Connect Mode. Enter into the IP Addr ess shown on the Finder touch scr een and then click [Connect]. 10.10.100.254:8899 may not be the cor r ect IP addr ess accor ding to your pr inter pr esent status.
Page 55 You need to select “Wi-Fi” in Connect Mode. Enter into the IP Addr ess shown on the Finder touch scr een and then click [Connect]. 10.10.100.254:8899 may not be the cor r ect IP addr ess accor ding to your pr inter pr esent status.
Page 56 6.2.14 Tool Menus ①Contr ol Panel After connecting PC with Finder, click [Tools]--[Contr ol Panel] to open the control panel. 6-23 ● J og Contr ols J og Mode： Select the distance that extruder/ build plate move a single time (that is, the distance extruder/ build plate move upon your single click).
Page 57 . 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 58 After confirming the printer is in free state, the software will automatically update the firmware 6-24 Step 3 ：Reboot you Finder and wait for 4-5 seconds, then you can see the update Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 59 ③Check for Updates ： Click [Help]--[Check for Update] to detect the available updates online. ④ About FlashPr int： Click [Help]--[About FlashPr int], the software information box will pop up. The contents include the current software version and copyright information. Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 60: Chapter 7: Basic Printing
FlashFor ge Finder (7-3)Click the [Load] icon to load a .stl model file and the object will display on the build area. [Edit]--[Sur face to Platfor m] to make your model perfectly positioned （7-4）Click Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 61 (7-5) Click the [Pr int] icon on the top, you should make some setups for your print job. Pr eview: If you check the [Pr eview] box, you can preview your model after slicing is Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 62 Gcode file. Note: .gx files are available for preview while the .g files are not. They are displaying as follows: g. Files gx. Files Next, we are going to print the model. Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 63 7.2 Pr int 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 Pr int fr om Computer (USB connection) ①Connect your Finder with your PC via a USB cable.
Page 64 [Pr int] 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.com...
Page 65 7.2.3 Pr int fr om 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. [Pr int]...
Page 66 Input your Printer's Name and Flashcloud Registration Code in [Add printer] interface. Printer's Name is edit and input by yourself, it can help you identify printer type, user name or using date. Registration Code is showed in your printer's [About] interface. Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 67 5) Add a printer completed as showed in the picture below. More than one of the Flashforge printers can be added to a FlashForge Cloud account, Flashforge Finder, InventorII/InventorIIS, Adventurer3 printers all support FlashForge Cloud connection. Using FlashForge Cloud connection to print, printers and print jobs management can be done in batches.
Page 68 Click[Start] to start printing, the selected printer will start printingautomatically. Time remaining for this print job, instant extruder/buildplate temperature or other printing details are all showed in this webpage, you can also pause or cancel this print job anytime during printing process. Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 69 Enter the Polar Cloud homepage after you create your Polar Cloud account. 2） the red icon(on the right upper corner showed in the picture below), then Tap [settings], drag down the page to bottom, copy down your Email address and your PIN Code. Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 70 Connect the printer to internet with WiFi ; Tap [Tools]-[Settings]-[Polar Cloud connection] on printer’s touch screen; Input your polar 3D cloud account’s Email address(as ID) and PIN Code, Tap[save] . Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 71 Enter the Polar Cloud homepage with your computer again. Tap [Explore] on the 3） left upper corner showed in the picture below, then Tap [Objects] Enter the objects page, choose a model you are going to print. Tap【3D PRINT】button Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 72 Change Filament, Pause, Stop etc. More than one of the Flashforge printers can be added to a Polar 3D Cloud account, 4） Flashforge GuiderIIS/GuiderII ， Finder ， InventorIIS/InventorII ， Adventurer3 printers all support Polar 3D Cloud connection. Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 73 6）Delete a printer from a polar cloud account.(If someone else wants to use the same printer under another polar cloud account, please make sure you’v delete the printer from your current-using polar cloud account, or others can not use the printer.) Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 74 Then click [SETTINGS] button on the right upper position of the next webpage. Finally, drag the next page to bottom down, click [DELETE PRINTER] button. After you’v completed the above delete steps, this printer can now be used by others under his own polar cloud account. Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 75: Chapter 8 Maintenance And Solutions
8.1 Pr oblems and actions Pr oblem Cause Cor r ective Action Extruder head Finder has lost track of the Sending the extruder head to the home building off center. extruder head‘s exact location position will recalibrate the and is failing to build Creator3.Cancel your object, clear build...
Page 76 2.Grease moving parts regularly.For frequent users, add grease at least once every Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 77 6. For steep overhangs (Less than 45 degree angle) it is recommended to build with support. For mor e maintenance and solutions, please visit Flashfor ge website: www.flashfor ge.com Finder User Guide | www.flashforge.com...
Page 78: Chapter 9 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.

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