Flashforge DREAMER User manual

Dreamer User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
1
User Guide
Dreamer Desktop 3D Printer

Dreamer User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
2

Dreamer User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
3
CONTENTS
WELCOME TO FLASHFORGE DREAMER
A. How to use this manual
B. The FlashForge Experience and Promise
C. Understanding 3D Printing in 3 Minutes
Chapter 1. SETTING UP THE DREAMER
A. Getting to know your Dreamer
B. Unboxing the Dreamer
C. Hardware assembly
C1. Changing voltage on Dreamer power supply
C2. Mounting the extruder set
C3. Installing filament
C4. Plugging in power cord & USB cable
D. Loading/unloading filament
D1. Loading filament
D2. Unloading filament
E. Leveling the build plate
Chapter 2. A THOROUGH LOOK AT THE FLASHPRINT SOFTWARE
A. Overview of the functions
Chapter 3. MAKING YOUR FIRST PRINT
A. Overview
B. Single & dual-extrusion print
B1. Single-extrusion print
B2. Dual-extrusion print
C. Methods of printing
C1. Printing from USB
C2. Printing from SD card
C3. Printing from Wi-Fi
C4. Printing with support
Chapter 4. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A. Getting support

Dreamer User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
4
WELCOME TO
FLASHFORGE DREAMER
A. How to use this manual
B. The FlashForge Experience & Promise
C. The 3D printing process
Dreamer User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
4

Dreamer User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
5
A.How to use this manual
This user manual is divided into four chapter for ease of navigation
and will use examples based on Microsoft Windows 7 operating system.
The first chapter lays out the guide on setting up the Dreamer and
preparing for its first print. You will learn the ins and outs of FlashPrint
software in the second chapter. The third portion is the actual printing and
covers the procedures for various methods of printing and techniques.
The last chapter includes information regarding obtaining support.
Please make sure to read this section carefully prior to setting up
and operating the Dreamer.
·The Dreamer is very sensitive to static electricity, so please make sure
you contact a grounded object before operating the machine.
·Before repairing or making any alterations to the Dreamer, it is essential
that the machine is turned off, and the power cord is unplugged.
·The Dreamer operates at a very high temperature; allow the nozzle,
extruded plastic and heating plate to cool before touching.
·Certain types of plastic filament may give off a slight odor when
heated. Because of this, the Dreamer should always operate in a
well-ventilated area.
·Do not leave the Dreamer unattended when in operation.
PRECAUTION:
Prior to powering on the Dreamer, make sure the power supply switch is set
to 115V if you are located in the United States and Canada. For other
countries, please refer to your country’s AC output voltage. Failure to do so
will damage the mainboard . For instructions on how to do this, please refer
to page 14.

Dreamer User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
6
The Flashforge Experience
Congratulations on your purchase of the Flashforge Dreamer 3D
desktop printer. You may already had prior experience with other
Flashforge products or know the technology behind 3D printing. However,
we still recommend that you read this manual as it contains important
information helpful to getting the best experience out of the Dreamer. By
following the user manual thoroughly and correctly, you will be able to
make your first print in no time. If you’d like to go over the fundamentals
of 3D printing and how it works, please read page 7.
The Flashforge Promise
Our team is composed of geeks and makers who are passionate about
3D printing and want to share this new technology with the world. We
understand the importance of product and service support, especially the
challenges that a new technology may bring along. With FLASHFORGE,
you can always expect a close, personal service from our team of experts.
At FLASHFORGE, we understand that 3D printing is a new
technology to many individuals. Our aim is to educate and guide you
through the entire process of 3D printing. With 3D printing, there are no
limits — you can go as far as your imagination takes you. With the
Dreamer, dreams are no longer simply just imaginations. They can
become physical realities that you can hold, touch, and feel. It is amazing
to see a 3D printer turn an idea into real life, layer by layer, and we are
delighted to have you on-board with us to experience this phenomenon!
B.The Flashforge Experience and Promise

Dreamer User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
7
What is 3D Printing?
Simply put, 3D printing is 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.
The Technique
Fused filament fabrication is the most common method of 3D printing.
It is also the method that the Dreamer uses. It works by melting plastic
material called filament onto a print surface using high temperature. The
filament solidifies after it cools down, which happens instantaneously
after it is extruded from the print head. 3D objects are formed with the
filament laying down multiple layers.
3D Printing Process
3D printing involves three steps: 1.) 3D model design, 2.) Slicing and
exporting the 3D model, and 3.) Making the print
1. Designing the 3D Model: Currently, there are three ways of creating a
3D model.
Designing From Scratch. You can use free CAD (computer aided
design) software such as Google Sketchup, Tinkercad, and Blender to
design your very own 3D model. Or grab a copy of one of the
commercial 3D design software such as AutoCAD, Maya, or Rhino3D.
3D Scanners. An alternative method to creating 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.
C.Understanding 3D Printing in 3 Minutes

Dreamer User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
8
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.
2. Slicing and Exporting the 3D Model:
A slicing software is required to process and interpret the 3D model
into the language that 3D printers can understand. The FlashPrint is the
slicing software used for the FlashForge Dreamer.
FlashPrint will slice the 3D model into numerous layers and output it
as a .g file, which is the format read by the Dreamer. The file is then
transferred to the Dreamer by USB cable, SD card, or Wi-Fi.
3. Making the Print:
Once the output file has been transferred to the Dreamer, it will start to
turn the 3D model into a physical object by laying down layers of
filament.

Dreamer User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
9
Chapter 1.
SETTING UP
THE DREAMER
A. Unboxing the Dreamer
B. Getting to know your Dreamer
C. Hardware assembly
D. Loading/unloading filament
E. Leveling the build plate
Dreamer User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
9

Dreamer User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
10
A.Unboxing the Dreamer
Congratulations on your purchase of the Flashforge Dreamer 3D
printer! In about 15 minutes, you will be ready to start making your first
3D object. This section lays out the procedure for correctly removing the
Dreamer from its shipping box. The Dreamer contains delicate
components; please remember to handle with extra care and attention.
Let’s begin!
1. Lay the Dreamer shipping box on a
flat surface, preferably the floor. Use
an X-acto knife and carefully cut open
the shipping box.
2. Remove the top protective foam
pieces, which also houses the
Dreamer ’s lid. Set this aside for now.
The Dreamer unit will then be
exposed.
3. Lift the Dreamer by its side
openings and place it on a flat surface.
You will then see the Expert Kit,
power cord, and USB 2.0 cable in the
shipping box.

Dreamer User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
11
4.The Dreamer will have an accessory
box on top of it, which will house the
extruder set. Remove the box and the
foam pad from the Dreamer, and
gently lay the extruder set on the
Dreamer build plate.
Inside the accessory box, you will find
a roll of 3M Blue Painter’s tape, an
SD card,a side fan duct, and four
pieces of removable side panels.
5.Hold the sides of the build plate as
shown in the illustration, and lift up
slowly until it is at the top.

Dreamer User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
12
6. You will see one ABS and one
PLA filament roll and two
filament spool holder under the
build plate once it is moved out of
the way.
7.Unboxing has been completed.
The illustration to the right includes
all the accessories that is included
with the Dreamer.

Dreamer User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
13
B. Getting to know your Dreamer
Main view:
Top view：
Left view：
1. Top cover
2. Extruder fan
3. Nozzle
4. Ventilating fan
5. Front door
6. Z axis guide
7. Touch screen
8. Build plate
9. Filament
10. X axis guide
11. Belt
12. Spring strip
13. Extruder intake
14. Turbo fan
15. Vent
16. SD card input
17. Power switch
18. Power input
19. Reset button
20. USB input

Dreamer User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
14
ABS and PLA filament (2) power cord USB line vent (2)
fan baffle cap Kit box 3M tape tweezers
SD card Screwdriver Scraper Screw box
Carving knife Sensor line

Dreamer User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
15
C. Hardware Assembly
The Dreamer comes pre-assembled and is almost ready-to-print (ARP).
All you need to do is set the appropriate voltage, mount the extruder set,
and install the filament. It will only take between 5 to 10 minutes before
you can fire up the Dreamer and prepare for your first 3D print!
PRECAUTION:
FlashForge Dreamer uses a switching power supply with 115V/230V.
Prior to installing the hardware, it is critical to check the AC output
voltage of your home or workplace. The power supply should be
switched to reflect your AC output voltage. Failure to do so will cause
severe damage to the Dreamer. Please follow the steps below to switch to
the correct voltage.
For the United States and Canada, the correct voltage to use is 115V.
For most European countries, use 230V. Please double-check as
FLASHFORGE will not be responsible for damages as a result of
improper care.

Dreamer User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
16
Mounting the Extruder Set
1. Lay the extruder set on top of the
extruder seat with the two extruder
fans facing the front.
2. Secure the extruder set onto the
extruder seat by using two M3x12
from the bottom up.
3. Install the side fan duct. To do this,
find the side fan duct and attach it onto
the left side of the extruder set. Secure
it with the supplied M3x8 screw.
Tip: place the M3x12 screw through
the mounting hole of the extruder seat
first. Afterwards, align the extruder set
and tighten.

Dreamer User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
17
Installing Filament
1. Lock the filament in place by
securing it with the filament spool
holder and turning it counter-
clockwise.
2. Feed the filament through the
filament guide tube. Attach the guide
tube onto the two filament guide tube
brackets.
3. Feed the filament up and through
the opening until you see it. Re-tighten
the guide tube bracket from step 1.
Leave the filament hanging for now as
we will feed it into the extruder at a
later time.

Dreamer User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
18
Plugging in Power Cord & USB Cable
4. After installing filament, cut the 3M
blue tape into 3 sheets and then stick to the
build plate.
1. Locate the power cord, and plug it
into the Dreamer.
Optional: Locate the USB cord and
plug one end into the Dreamer and the
other into your computer. The Dreamer
supports USB 2.0.

Dreamer User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
19
D. Loading/unloading Filament
Filament must pass through the extruder and into the heating block in
order to be melted. In this user guide, we will demonstrate loading and
unloading filament using the left side extruder.
Loading filament:
1. Remove the lid of the Dreamer
2. From the main menu, press the right
icon labeled [ Tools ].
3.Select [ Filament ] and [ Load
Left ].

Dreamer User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
20
4. Wait for the extruder to heat up to the
operating temperature. The extruder
will alert you once it is at the operating
temperature. Load the filament by
inserting it into the extruder at an
upright angle.
5. Filament will start to extrude out of
the nozzle. Continue loading to ensure
that the filament is extruding in a straight
line. Refer to the troubleshooting section
if the filament is extruding at an angle.