Flashforge Finder 3D Printer User Guide

Flashforge Finder 3D Printer

About Flashforge

One of the first established businesses in China specializing in the R&D and production of 3D printing tools and materials is Zhejiang Flashforge 3D Technology Co., LTD. The subsidiary of Flashforge is Jinhua Zhucheng Electronic Commerce Co., Ltd. Currently, it is the domestic leader and the third-largest manufacturer of consumer-level 3D printing brands worldwide. 3D Hubs is the data source. Additionally, in 2017 the title of “Famous brand in Zhejiang Province” was given to Flashforge.

Flashforge, an R&D and manufacturing company that offers products and solutions for the entire industrial chain, currently owns 10 product categories, ranging from 3D printer, 3D printing filament, and 3D designing software, to 3D printing services, offering dozens of different types of products that span the entire industrial chain. Products are separated into three categories based on the needs of various user types: industrial, commercial, and civil levels. In the meantime, Flashforge is at the top in its field in terms of technical R&D, channel development, after-sales service, and other areas.

Preface

Note: Each device must be tested before leaving the factory. If there are some residues in an 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 to all FlashForge engineers andtheFlashForge 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. 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.

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

This User Guide includes the following parts:

Preface, Introduction, and After-sale service. The Preface section includes the resource acquisition channel, the overall framework of
the manual, and the problems that should be paid attention to while printing. The introduction section contains an overview of 3D printing technology, equipment introduction, unpacking and installation of equipment, software installation, and use. After-sale section contains the user how to get support and help.

Safety Notice

Notices: Read all the instructions in the manual and familiarize yourself withtheFlashForge 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 NOTICES BELOW AT ALL THE TIMES.

Work Environment Safety

1. Keep your workplace tidy.
2. Do not operate Finder in the presence of flammable liquids, gases, or dust.
3. Keep Finder out of children and untrained people’s reach.

Electrical Safety

1. Always use the Finder with a properly grounded outlet. Do not refit Finder plug.
2. Do not use Finder in damp or wet locations. Do not expose Finder to the burning sun.
3. In case of device damage, please use the power supply provided by FlashForge.
4. Avoid using the device during a thunderstorm.
5. In case of an uncertain accident, please unplug the device if you do not use it for long.

Personal

1. Do not touch the nozzle and build plate during printing.
2. Do not touch the nozzle after finishing printing.
3. Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Keep your hair, clothing, and 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. Lower the build plate before loading/unloading the filament. (The distance between the nozzle and the 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.
6. Never use the device to make any food storage vessels.
7. Never use the device to make any electrical appliance.
8. Never put the model into your mouth.
9. Do not remove the models with force.

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 another method that the Finder uses. It works by melting plastic material called filament onto a print surface at high temperatures. The filament solidifies after it cools down, which happens instantaneously after it is extruded from the nozzle. 3D objects are formed with the filament laying down multiple layers.

Process

3D printing involves three steps:

• Make or download a 3D model
• Slice and export the 3D model
• Build the 3D model

About Finder

Views

1. Touch screen
2. Touch screen button
3. Nozzle
4. Z-axis guide rod
5. Build plate
6. Leveling nut
7. Filament cartridge
8. Extruder
9. Filament intake
10. X-axis guide rod
11. Spring presser
12. USB stick input
13. USB cable input
14. Power input
15. Power switch

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.
Build Volume	The three dimensional amount of space that an object   will use once it is completed. The largest build volume of Finder is 140*140*140mm.
Leveling Nuts	Nuts  under  the  build  platform  that  are  used  for   adjusting the distance between the nozzle and build plate.
Extruder	The device that draws the filament from the spool, melts it and pushes it through a nozzle into the build plate.
Nozzle	Also called “print head”, which located at the bottom of the extruder where heated filament is squeezed out.
Cooling Fan	To cool the outer assembly of the extruder and gear motor.
Filament Intake	An opening located at the top of the extruder.
Filament Guide Tube	A black plastic piece that guides the filament from the filament cartridge to the filament intake.
Filament Cartridge	A specific box for placing FlashForge filament.
Solid Glue Stick	A solid adhesive used for making the model stick to the build plate firmly.
Unclogging Pin Tool	A tool that used for cleaning and unclogging the   extruder.
Stamping Wrench	A tool that used for seizing the nozzle’s metal cube or   throat tube.

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	±0.2mm
Positioning Accuracy	Z axis 0.0025mm; XY axis 0.011mm
Filament Diameter	1.75mm（±0.1）
Nozzle Diameter	0.4mm
Build Speed	30-150 mm/s
Software	FlashPrint、Support Simplify3D
Support Formats	Input:GX/G
OS	Win xp/Vista/7/8/10、Mac OS、Linux
Device Size	420*420*420mm
Net Weight	9Kg
AC Input	Input:DC24V 2.71A 65W
Connectivity	USB cable, USB stick, WiFi,   FlashForge Cloud, Polar Cloud

Accessories

• Filament*1 Used for printing, detailed instruction in unpacking, and hardware assembly chapter of the user manual.
• Power Cable Used to power on the printer, detailed instructions in the unpacking chapter of the user manual.
• USB Cable is Used to connect the computer to the printer, then print files can be transferred and printed out, detailed instructions in unpacking and 7.2print methods of the user manual.
• Filament Guide Tube Used to guide the filament from the filament spool(after the filament detector) to extruder filament intake, detailed instructions in unpacking, and 4.3 Loading Filament chapter of the user manual.
• Quick Start Guide Used for first print instruction, help you finish your successful first print quickly.
• Grease is Used to lubricate the X, Y, and Z axis or other parts, please refer to the Flash Forge support team before you take maintenance steps, for printer and user goods.
• Screwdriver Used to tighten or untighten the screws and nuts when maintenance, please refer to the flash forge support team before you take maintenance steps, for printer and user goods.
• Allen Wrench (M2.0/2.5) Used to tighten or untighten the screws when maintenance, please refer to the flash forge support team before you take maintenance steps, for printer and user goods.
• Glue Stick Used to fasten the model to the build plate when printing, apply the glue to the build plate for a thin layer and make sure the model’s bottom layers are fingerprinted and fastened.
• Stamping Wrench Used to tighten or untighten the nozzle or Teflon tube or other parts when maintenance, please refer to the flash forge support team before you take maintenance steps, for printer and user goods.
• Unclogging Pin Tool Used to unclog extruder parts (filament intake, filament feeding wheel, Teflon tube, nozzle) when extruder maintenance, please refer to the flash forge support team before you take maintenance steps, for printer and user goods.
• Power Adapter Used to power on the printer, detailed instructions in the unpacking chapter of the user manual
  After-sales service card Used when maintenance, please keep it well and provide it to the flash forge support team when maintenance.
• PTFE Tube Used in the extruder and can be replaced after use for a long time, please refer to the flash forge support team before you take maintenance steps, for printer and user goods.

Maintenance and solutions

Problems and actions

Problem	Cause	Corrective Action
Extruder head building off center.	Finder has lost track of the extruder head‘s exact location and is failing to build	Sending the extruder head to the home position will recalibrate the Creator3.Cancel your object, clear build plateform, send the extruder head to the   home position, and restart the object.
PLA is not extruding or sticking to the build tape properly.	This can be caused by the build plateform not being leveling with the extruder head.	Leveling the build platform will align the extruder head and ensure a better object quality. Cancel your object, clear build platform, level the build platform, and   restart the object.
Finder froze before   my object started.	Finder may have received con   icting commands.	Turn power switch off, wait 30 seconds,   and turn power switch on.
Spaghetti mess at end of build.	A layer of your object did not stick properly, model was saved with minimal surface area contacting the build platform, or object was built oating above the build platform   with no support selected.	Use the preview feature in your slicing software to see the first layer height and position. Build with supports when necessary.   Contact customer service on how to calibrate the Z-Gap Offset.
Part only built halfway.	Filament ran out.   Filament clogged during build.	Replace filament and resume build. See “No filament coming out”.

No filament coming out.	Clogged extruder.   Filament not properly loaded.	Contact customer service.   Try running a lament change again to ensure the extruder gears have properly caught the lament.
Extruder will not   home.	／	Contact customer service.
Stringy or fraying   plastic layers on steep overhangs.	Object overhangs are too far   apart or too steep (<45 degree angle).	Build with supports.

Unlogging the extruder

Use the unclogging tool to clean the extruder and unclog built-up filament

1. Click on the filament change button on the screen and wait for the extruder to heat up. As the filament starts to purge, insert the unclog tool into the extruder intake (top).
2. Clogged debris will be pushed down and will extrude from the extruder nozzle. You should push the unclog too all the way down to ensure all filament is purged. You do not need to push with excessive force, as this may damage the extruder.

Daily maintenance and use suggestion

1. Please cover the top and close the front door to prevent the device from falling into dust when not using the device. If the device has not been used for a long time, it is recommended to use the original packaging.
2. Grease moving parts regularly. For frequent users, add grease at least once every three months; For long-term nonusers, add grease at least every six months.
3. Please clean residue and other sundries in time after printing is completed, to avoid sundries falling and affecting device use.
4. As consumable, build tape may be damaged when adhesive force declines; Please change build tape in time to avoid affecting the print effect.
5. Whenever possible, it is best to locate your object in the center of the build platform. Using the best orientation for your object is critical. Ensure that your object is located on the build platform and that you are using the best orientation for the building.
6. For steep overhangs (Less than 45-degree angle) it is recommended to build with support.

For more maintenance and solutions, please visit Flashforgewebsite: www.flashforge.com

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 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.com

The FlashForge support team can be reached by e-mail or phone between the working hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST Monday through Saturday. In case you contact us during the off-duty time, your inquiry will be answered the following business day.

Note: Because of changing different filaments the extruder may be blockaded. It’s not owing to quality issues and is outside the scope of 400 hours of life. If encounter this problem, please contact our after-sale department and finish the cleaning work according to their instruction.

• Email：support@ff3dp.com
• ADD：No. 518, Xianyuan Road, Jinhua, Zhejiang

*When contacting support, please have your serial number ready. The serial number is a bar code on the back of your Finder.”

FCC Notice

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules.

Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

FlashForge shall not be liable for errors contained herein for incidental consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.

FAQs Flashforge Finder 3D Printer

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