Flashforge Creator Pro User manual

FlashForge Corporation
Creator Pro User Guide | www.FlashForge.com 0579-82273989
User Guide
FlashForge Creator Pro 3D Printer
User Guide

Creator Pro User Guide | www.FlashForge.com 400-699-1063
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Contents
Contents..........................................................................................................................2
Preface............................................................................................................................ 3
Introduction.................................................................................................................... 4
Notice............................................................................................................................. 5
Chapter 1: 3D Printing Technology................................................................................8
Chapter 2: About Creator Pro.......................................................................................10
2.1 About Your Creator Pro..................................................................................10
Chapter 3: Unpacking...................................................................................................14
Chapter 4: Hardware Assembly....................................................................................17
Chapter 5: Build Plate Leveling................................................................................... 21
Chapter 6: About Software........................................................................................... 22
6.1 Software Installation.......................................................................................22
6.2 Exploring FlashPrint.......................................................................................22
Chapter 7: Basic Printing............................................................................................. 41
7.1 Generate a Gcode........................................................................................... 41
7.2 Loading the Filament Using the LCD Panel.................................................. 45
7.3 Unloading the Filament Using LCD Panel.....................................................46
Chapter 8: Supports and Service..................................................................................68

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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 Creator Pro User Guide is designed for the Creator Pro users to start
their printing journey with FlashForge Creator Pro. Even if you are familiar with
earlier FlashForge machines or 3D printing technology, we still recommend you read
through this guide, as there is lots of important information about the Creator Pro for
you to get a better 3D experience.
For a better and more successful printing experience, you can refer to the following
materials:
(1) Quick Start Guide
Users will find the Quick Start Guide together with the printer accessories. The Quick
Start Guide will help you start your print journey as soon as possible.
(2) Official FlashForge Website:http://www.FlashForge.com
The official FlashForge website contains the up-to-date information concerning
FlashForge software, firmware, device maintenance and so on. Users are also able to
get the contact information from there.

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Introduction
Notes：
The FlashForge Creator Pro 3D Printer User Guide contains the information
needed for you to set up and use this device.
This User Guide includes the following parts: Preface, Introduction and After-
sale service.
The Preface section includes resource acquisition channel, the overall framework
of the manual, and the problems that should be paid attention to.
The introduction section contains the presentation of 3D printing technology,
equipment introduction, unpacking and installation of equipment, software installation
and usage.
After-sale service section tells the user how to get the support and help.
·Please read FlashForge Creator Pro 3D Printer User Guide carefully before use.
·The User Guide is written based on Windows 7 OS.
·The version of the FlashPrint is the latest.

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Notice
! Notices: Read all the instructions in the manual and familiarize yourself with the
FlashForge Creator Pro 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
①Keep your work place tidy.
②Do not operate Creator Pro in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust.
③Creator Pro should be placed out of children and untrained people’s reach.
·Electricity Safety
①Always use the Creator Pro with a properly grounded outlet. Do not refit Creator
Pro’s plug.
②Do not use Creator Pro in damp or wet circumstance. Do not expose Creator Pro
to burning sun.
③In case of device damage, please use the power supply provided by FlashForge.
④Avoid using the device during a thunderstorm.
⑤In case of uncertain accident, please unplug the device if you do not use it for long.
·Personal Safety
①Do not touch the nozzle and build plate during printing.
②Do not touch the hot nozzle after finishing printing.
③Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Keep your hair, clothing

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and gloves away from moving parts.
④Do not operate the device while you are tired or under the influence of drugs,
alcohol or medication.
·Cautions
①Do not leave the device unattended for long.
②Do not make any modifications to the device.
③To lower the build plate before loading/unloading filament. (The distance between
the nozzle and build plate should be kept for at least 50mm)
④Operate the device in a well-ventilated environment.
⑤Never use the device for illegal activities.
⑥Never use the device to make any food storage vessels.
⑦Never use the device to make any electrical appliance.
⑧Never put the model into your mouth.
⑨Do not remove the models with force.
·Environment Requirements
Temperature: RT 15-30℃
Moisture: 20%-70%
·Place Requirements
The device must be placed in a dry and ventilated environment. The distances of the
left, right and back side space should be at least 20cm, and the distance of the front
side space should be at least 35cm.
·Filament Requirements
Do not abuse the filament. Please make sure you use the FlashForge filament or the

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filament from the brands accepted by FlashForge.
·Filament Storage
All polymers degrade with time. Do not unpack filament until necessary. Filament
should be stored in 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.
FLASHFORGE CORPORATION MAKES NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WITH
REGARD TO THIS DOCUMENT, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
IMPLIED WARRATIES OF MERCHANTABILITY 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.
Copyright © 2017 FlashForge Corp. All Rights Reserved

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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 Creator Pro 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. 3D objects
are formed with the filament laying down multiple layers.
1.1 Process
3D printing involves three steps:
1.) Make or download a 3D model
2.) Slice and export the 3D model
3.) Build the 3D model
1.1.1 Make a 3D Model
Currently, there are three ways of making a 3D model.
·Designing From Scratch You can use free CAD (computer-aided design) software
such as 3DTADA, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Pro-E, and our own software Happy 3D,
which is suitable for the beginners, to design your own 3D model.
·3D Scanners An alternative method to making a 3D model is to scan an object. 3D
scanners work by digitizing a physical object, collecting its geometric data, and
saving it to a file on your PC. There are also apps that can turn a mobile device into a
3D scanner.

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·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 Creator Pro.
Using FlashPrint, you can prepare .stl files to be .x3g files for printing. Then users can
print files via SD card.
1.1.3 Build the 3D Model
Once the output file has been transferred to your Creator Pro, it will start to turn the
3D model into a physical object by laying down layers of filament.

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Chapter 2: About Creator Pro
2.1 About Your Creator Pro
2.1.1 Views
13.Turbofan
14.Turbofan baffle
15.Left nozzle
16.Right nozzle
17.X-axis guide rod
18.Filament guide
tube buckle
19.Spool holder
20.Power input
21.Power switch
22.Reset button
23.USB input
24.Spool holder slot
1.Z-axis guide rod
2.Extruder cable bunch
3.Slot
4.Y-axis guide rod
5.Build plate
6.Build platform
7.Leveling knob
8.SD card slot
9.LCD panel
10.Buttons
11.Cooling fan
12.Spring presser

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2.1.2 Accessories
Along with your Creator Pro 3D printer, the box also contains the followings:
On the top of the PE foam sheet, you’ll find:
Filament guide tube*2
Quick start guide*1
User guide*1
Build tape*2
Leveling card*1
After-sales service card*1
Within the accessory PE foam
Power cable *1
USB cable*1
Spool holder*2
Dual extruder*1
Tool bag(Allen Wrench/Leveling knob/Bolt/Stamping Wrench/Unclogging Pin
Tool)
Extruder’s accessory kit(Bolt/Turbofan baffle)
SD card *1
Grease*1
Under Creator Pro’s build platform:
Filament*2
Lid*1

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2.1.3 Terms
Build Plate
The surface on which the Creator Pro builds an object.
Build Tape
The blue tape that covers Creator Pro’s build plate so
that 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. The largest build volume
of Creator Pro is 227*148*150
Leveling Knobs
Knobs 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 extrudes it through a nozzle onto 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 plastic piece that guides the filament from the
filament box to the filament intake
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

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2.1.4 Parameters
Name
Creator Pro
Number of Extruder
2
Print Technology
Fused Filament Fabrication（FFF）
Screen
LCD Panel
Build Volume
227×148×150mm
Layer Thickness
0.1 - 0.2mm
Build Precision
±0.1-0.2mm
Positioning Precision
Z axis 0.0025mm; XY axis 0.011mm
Filament Diameter
1.75mm（±0.07）
Nozzle Diameter
0.4mm
Build Speed
10-200 mm/s
Software
FlashPrint/Simplify3D/Makerware/RepeliactorG
Support Formats
Input:3MF/STL/OBG/FPP/PNG/JPG/JPEG
Output:X3G
OS
Win xp/Vista/7/8/10、Mac OS、Linux
Device Size
526*360*403(550)mm
NET Weight
14.8Kg
AC Input
100V-240V/4.5A-2.5A
Connectivity
USB Cable, SD Card

FlashForge Corporation
Creator Pro User Guide | www.FlashForge.com 0579-82273989
14
Chapter 3: Unpacking
(reference video：Creator Pro Unpacking)
The Creator Pro was carefully packaged at FlashForge manufacturing facility. Please
follow the unpacking steps laid out below.
1. (3-1)Place your Creator Pro on a clean and stable surface, open the carton and then
take the foam sheet out. Within the PE foam sheet are lying two filament guide tubes,
two pieces of build tape, a FlashForge leveling card, a User Guide and a Quick
Start Guide.
3-1
2. (3-2)Firmly grasp the two side handles of FlashForge Creator Pro. Lift it out of the
box and place it on a stable surface. Then open and remove the transparent covering.
CAUTION
Handle the package and its contents with extra care; do not use any unnecessary
force.
Do not remove the wrapping around the nozzle. It consists of a ceramic fiber
fabric and heat resistant tape that helps to keep the nozzle at a constant temperature.

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3-2
3. (3-3)The FlashForge Creator Pro and its accessories will be displayed in front of
you. Take the dual extruder out and place it onto a clean ground.
Note: To avoiding scratching the dual extruder and affecting the printing
precision, please do not put the nozzle onto the surface.
3-3
4. (3-4)Take the accessory foam container out, within which are lying a power cable,
a USB cable, two spool holders, a bag of tools, a SD card, a bag of extruder
accessories.
3-4
5. (3-5)Slide the X-axis rods to the very back. Take the transparent lid together with

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two spools of filament out from the printer. Take the two spools of filament out from
the lid.
3-5
6. (3-6)Elevate the build plate to its limit. Take the side protective foam sheets out
from the printer. Take the bottom protective foam out from the printer.
3-6
Congratulations! You’ve finished the unpacking process. (Tip: Save your FlashForge
Creator Pro packaging for future transportation and storage. )

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Chapter 4: Hardware Assembly
First, you need two M3*8 bolts from the extruder’s accessories kit (including bolts
and turbofan baffle), and the 2.5mm Allen Wrench. Lower the build plate as much as
possible, hold the extruder by both sides, take it out of the accessory sleeve and
position it on the extruder support with the fan facing forward. Align the screw holes
and fasten with the two short silver bolts (see 4-1).
4-1

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(4-2) Unscrew the two turbofan bolts and take out the turbofan baffle to install.(Note:
Beside the turbofan bolt hole locates a small hole. You need to insert the bump of
turbofan baffle to this hole) Take out a M3 x 6 bolt and a 2.5mm Allen Wrench to
secure the turbofan baffle onto the extruder. (4-3)Finally, screw the two turbofan bolts.
4-3
4-2

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(4-5)The next step goes to the installation of the spool holders. Install one on each
side. To install a spool holder, level it and insert the end into one of the openings. Turn
down the spool holder to make the holder bottom cleave to the printer back.
4-5

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To lock the filament guide tube with R-shape buckles and insert another end to the
filament intake. To avoid filament jams, always ensure that any filament spool you
mount on the Creator Pro feeds from the bottom of the spool toward the top. Filament
mounted on the right spool holder when viewed from the back should always unspool
clockwise and filament loaded onto the left spool holder should always unspool
counterclockwise.
Congratulations! You’ve finished the hardware assembly process.
4-6