Flashforge DREAMER User manual

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

Dreamer User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
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Dreamer User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
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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

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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
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Dreamer User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
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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.

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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

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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

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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.
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.

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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
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Dreamer User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
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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.