Flashforge Finder User manual

Finder User Guide |www.ff3dp.com
Flashforge Finder 3D Printer
User Guide

Finder User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
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Content
Preface.................................................................................................................................. 3
Introduction..........................................................................................................................4
Notice....................................................................................................................................5
Chapter 1: 3D Printing Technology....................................................................................8
Chapter 2: About Finder....................................................................................................10
Chapter 3：Unpacking..................................................................................................... 19
Chapter 4: Hardware Assembly........................................................................................24
4.1 Filament Installation...........................................................................................24
4.2 Printer Start-up....................................................................................................25
4.3 Loading Filament................................................................................................25
4.4 Unloading Filament............................................................................................28
Chapter 5: Build Plate Leveling.......................................................................................29
Chapter 5: About Software............................................................................................... 32
5.1 Software Installation...........................................................................................32
5.2 Exploring FlashPrint...........................................................................................32
Chapter 6: Basic Printing..................................................................................................58
6.1 Generate a Gcode................................................................................................ 58
6.2 Print Methods.......................................................................................................61
Chapter 7: Advanced Printing.......................................................................................... 66
Chapter 8: Supports and Service......................................................................................88

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Preface
On the completion of this User Guide, I here, on behalf the Flashforge team, would
like to avail myself of this opportunity to express my great gratitude to the all
Flashforge engineers and the Flashforge 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 you read
through this guide, as there is lots of important information about the Finder 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:www.ff3dp.com
The official Flashforge website contains the up-to-date information concerning
Flashforge software, firmware, device maintenance and so on. Uses are also able to
get the contact information from there.

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Introduction
Notes：
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:
·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 3.10.0.
·The version of the Firmware is 20160516.
·The device illustrations in the User Guide hall be those of Finder.
·We reserve the right for any errors in text or images and any necessary changes made
to technical data.

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Notice
Safety Notice
! Notices: Read all the instructions in the manual and familiarize yourself with the
Flashforge Finder User Guide before set-up and use. 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 Finder in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust.
③Store Finder out of reach of children and untrained people.
·Electrical Safety
①Always use the Finder with a properly grounded outlet. Do not modify Finder
plug.
②Do not use Finder in damp or wet locations. Do not expose Finder to burning sun.
③Do not abuse the cord.
④Avoid using the device during an electric storm.
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.

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②Do not touch the nozzle
③Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Keep your hair, clothing
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.
⑤Do not touch the nozzle and build plate during operation.
⑥Never use the device for illegal activities.
⑦Never use the device to make any food storage vessels.
⑧Never use the device to make any electrical appliance.
⑨Never put the model into your mouth.
⑩Do not remove the models with force.
·Environment Requirements
Temperature: RT 15-30℃
Moisture: 20%-50%
·Filament Requirements
Do not abuse the filament. Please make sure you use the Flashforge filament or the
filament from the brands accepted by Flashforge.

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·Filament Storage
All polymers degrade with time. Do not unpack until filament is needed. Filament
should be stored at room temperature:15-30℃and in 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 MERCHANTA- BILITY 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 © 2016 Flashforge Corp. All Rights Reserved

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Chapter 1: 3D Printing Technology
1.1 Definition
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.
1.2 Technique
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. 3D objects
are formed with the filament laying down multiple layers.
1.3 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
①Make a 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 AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Pro-E to design your very own 3D model.
·3D Scanners An alternative method to creating a 3D model is to scan an

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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.
·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.ishare3d.com
②Slice 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 Finder.
Using FlashPrint, you can prepare stl. files to be g. or gx. files for printing. Then the
files can be transferred to your Finder via USB cable, USB stick or Wi-Fi.
③Build 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.

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Chapter 2: About Finder
2.1 About Your Finder
2.1.1 Views
Front
Right Back
1. Touch screen
2. Power Switch
3. Nozzle
4. Z-axis guide rod
5. Build plate
6. Leveling knob
7. Filament cartridge
Top
8. Extruder
9. Filament intake
10. X-axis guide rod
11. Spring presser
12. USB cable input
13. USB stick input
14. Power input
11、进丝压板 12、

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2.1.2 Terms
Build Plate
The glass surface on which the Finder builds an object.
Build Tape
The blue tape that covers Finder’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 Finder is 140*140*140
Leveling Knobs
Knobs under the build platform that used for adjust 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 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
Filament Cartridge
A specific box for placing Flashforge filament
Glue Stick
A solid adhesive used for making the model stick to the
build plate firmly

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2.1.3 Reference
Name
Finder
Number of Extruder
Single
Print Technology
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
Screen
3.5’’ color IPS Touch Screen
Build Volume
140×140×140mm
Layer Resolution
0.1 - 0.5mm
Build Precision
±0.1mm
Positioning Precision
Z axis 0.0025mm; XY axis 0.011mm
Filament Diameter
1.75mm
Nozzle Diameter
0.4mm
Build Speed
24CC/hr
Software
FlashPrint
Support Formats
stl、obj
OS
Windows Mac OS
Device Size
420*420*420mm
Weight
10.75Kg
AC Input
100-240V, 50-60Hz, 100W
Connectivity
USB cable, USB stick, WIFI

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2.1.4 Interface Menus
Build
Read the print file from
◆The local memory card
◆The USB stick
Return arrow
Select the target print file among the list
◆Build: To begin printing
◆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
Print interface
◆Abort: To abort the print job.
◆Pause/Resume: To suspend or resume the
print job.
◆Tools: To change filament and set up auto
shutdown during printing.

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Tools in print interface
◆Filament: To change filament during
printing.
(Note: You need to suspend the operation
first)
◆Finish-Shut: To start auto shutdown
◆Cancel: To end the tool orders and return
to the print interface.
Preheat
Tap the [Preheat] button to enter the preheat
interface. Tap the [Start] button to heat up to
the setting temperature.
The default temperature is 230℃.
Tap the temperature display bar to set the
temperature.
To set the preheat temperature.
Tap [Yes] to save the setting while tap [No]
to cancel the setting.

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The picture displays the preheat interface. It
shows the actual temperature and the target
temperature. Tap the [Cancel] button to
abort the preheat job.
Tools
Tap [Tools] to enter tool options.
◆Filament: To load/unload the filament.
◆Level: To adjust the build plate.
◆Home: To make the X, Y and Z axes back
to the zero point.
◆Manual: To manually adjust the positions
of X, Y and Z axes.
◆Setting: To implement relevant function
setups.
◆Status: The check the real-time status of
the printer.
◆About: Information about the printer.
◆Return arrow
Manual adjustment
◆Y+: The extruder moves to the zero point,
that is, the back of the machine
◆Y-: The extruder moves to the direction
opposite to the Y+.
◆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.
◆Return arrow

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Tap [Setting] to enter the setting interface
◆Language: To set the display language
◆TP Adjust: Adjust the touch screen
◆WIFI: To turn on/down the WIFI
◆Servo on: To turn on/down the servo
◆Printhead Adjust: To adjust the initial
distance between the extruder and the build
plate
◆Filament Check Off: To turn on/off the
filament check
◆Return arrow
TP Adjust
To tap the “+” on the touch screen to adjust
the touch screen.
WIFI:
◆Reset: Reset the WIFI
◆Turn on WIFI: Turn on the WIFI, release
the WIFI hotspot and set the WIFI on
computer
◆Return arrow
Printhead Adjust:
After the build plate and extruder finish
the initial movement, you can tap ‘+’or
‘-’ to adjust the distance between the
build plate and nozzle. Z：0. 00 stands
for the position where the servo is
precisely triggered.

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Servo On:
Actually, the present servo status is off.
And the servo’s swing arm withdraws.
Tap ‘+’ or ‘-’ to adjust the status of swing
arm. Tap ‘+’, the arm swings down while
tap ‘-’ , the arm swings up.
Servo OFF:
Actually, the present servo status is on.
And the servo’s swing arm withdraws.
Tap ‘+’ or ‘-’ to adjust the status of swing
arm. Tap ‘+’, the arm swings down while
tap ‘-’ , the arm swings up.
Status:
It displays the real-time status of the extruder
temperature, fan and filament.
About:
It displays the basic information about the
device.

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2.2 Accessories
PLA Filament Power Cable USB Cable Filament Guide Tube
Quick Start Guide USB stick Allen Wrench（M1.5/M2.0/M2.5）Screwdriver
Glue Stick

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Chapter 3：Unpacking
This chapter will present you the whole unpacking procedure of Finder 3D
printer.(Note: Make sure you read the whole unpacking guide)
(3-1)Place the packaging box on a clean work surface.
（3-2）Open the box, grasp the two handles and then lift your Finder out of the box.
3-1
3-2

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(3-3)Your Finder is wrapped by packaging materials. Next, you should remove these
materials.
(3-4)Remove the side protective foam sheets.
图3-3
3-5
3-4