Flashforge Finder User manual

Finder Desktop 3D Printer
User Guide
V1.0 17.6.2015

Finder User Guide| www.ff3dp.com
Contents
Welcome to Flashforge Finder
A. Overview
B. Acknowledgment and Commitments
C. About 3D Printing
Chapter 1. Set up Your Finder
A. Unpacking Your Finder
B. About Finder
C. Hardware Assembly
C1. Installing Filament
C2. Connecting Power Cable and USB Cable
D. Loading and Unloading Filament
D1. Loading Filament
D2. Unloading Filament
E. Leveling Build Plate
Chapter 2. About FlashPrint
A. About the Software
Chapter 3. First Print
A. Start to Print
B. Methods of Printing
B1. Printing from USB
B2. Printing from USB Flash Disk
B3. Printing from Wi-Fi
Chapter 4. Other Information
A. Supports and Service

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WELCOME TO
FLASHFORGE FINDER
A. Introduction
B. Acknowledgment and Commitments
C. About 3D Printing
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A. Introduction
This User Guide is designed to start your journey with the Finder 3D
Printer off in the right direction. It presents the operation process on the
basis of the window 7 operating system. To get familiar with the machine,
it is essential for you to read through this guide. This User Guide includes
four chapters.
In the first chapter, you will learn how to get set-up the Finder for the first
print. In the second chapter, you will learn the ins and outs of FlashPrint
software. The third chapter will take you through printing operation and
different printing methods. The last chapter includes information
regarding obtaining support.
Ensure that you have read the following section carefully prior
to setting up and operating the Finder：
Ensure that the Finder is earthed lest electrostatic interference.
Before repairing or making any alterations to the Finder, it is essential
that the machine is turned off, and the power cord is unplugged.
The Finder 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 Finder should always operate in a well-ventilated
area.
Do not leave the Finder unattended when in operation.
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B. Acknowledgment and Commitments
Acknowledgment
Our sincere gratitude goes to you for your great support. 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 Finder for you to get a better 3D experience.
Following this guide will ensure your successful first print journey.
Commitments
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 Finder, 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!

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C. About 3D Printing
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 Deposition Modeling(FDM) 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 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 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

Finder User Guide| www.ff3dp.com
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
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 Finder.
FlashPrint will slice the 3D model into numerous layers and output it
as a .g file, which is the format read by the Finder. The file is then
transferred to the Finder by USB cable, USB Flash Disk or Wi-Fi.
3. Making the Print:
Once the output file has been transferred to the Finder, it will start to turn
the 3D model into a physical object by laying down layers of filament.

Finder User Guide| www.ff3dp.com
CHAPTER 1.
Set up Your Finder
A. Unpacking Your Finder
B. About Finder
C. Hardware Assembly
D. Loading and Unloading Filament
E. Leveling Build Plate

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A.Unpacking Your Finder
Congratulations on your purchase of the Flashforge Finder 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 Finder
from its shipping box. The Finder contains delicate components, please
remember to handle with extra care and attention. Let’s begin!
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1. Place the color packaging box on a
clean work surface or the ground. Open
the box, grasp the two handles and lift
your Finder out of the box.
2. The Finder is wrapped by packaging
material. Next, we should remove the
packaging material.

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3. Remove the side protective foam
sheets, you will see the Finder in a
transparent bag. Then remove the bag
to unveil the Finder.
4. On the top foam sheet we can see
the accessories from the kit contents:
one plate tape, one Quick Start Guide,
one 4GB USB, two Allen wrenches
(M1.5 and M2) and one screwdriver.

Finder User Guide| www.ff3dp.com
5. Remove the top foam sheet, you
will see the extruder and X-axis
guide rods. Slide the extruder left
and right to ensure the extruder and
the guide rod intact. Discard the tape
holding the flat cable in place .
6. Take the filament spool protective
foam out of the Finder. You will see
a roll of blue PLA filament inside.

Finder User Guide| www.ff3dp.com
7. Then you will see the build plate.
The build plate with a blue build tape is
available for direct use. Beside the
build plate lies a power cable and a
USB cable.
8. Move the build plate up. Remove the
protective foam for build plate and take
the power cable and USB cable out.
9. You have unpacked your Finder.
Next, let’s go to the overview and
accessories of Finder.

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B.About Finder
Views:
1. Touch screen panel 2. Power switch 3. Nozzle 4. Z-axis guide rod
5.Build plate 6. Leveling thumb screw 7. Filament cartridge 9. Filament
intake 10. X-axis guide rod 11. Spring presser 12. USB cable input 13. USB
flash disk input 14. Power input

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Accessory Box
PLA Filament Power Cable USB Cable Plate Tape
Quick Start Guide USB Flash Disk Allen Wrench（M1.5、M2.0）Screwdriver

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Accessory Introduction
PLA Filament
Polylactic acid filament. PLA is a renewable bilplastic.
Finder PLA is the source material from which you make
objects on the Finder.
Power Cable
A cable that allows the Finder to connect with power
USB Cable
A cable that allows the Finder to communicate with a
computer using the USB interface on the computer.
Plate Tape
A tape that sticks to the build plate for a better print
quality.
Quick Start Guide
Overview of the printer and the operation.
USB Flash Disk
A data storage device for saving the files.
Allen Wrench,
Screwdriver
Tools for the installation and maintenance of the Finder.

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C.Hardware Assembly
Your Finder has been installed before leaving factory, you can start up the
Finder for printing after mounting the filament spool.
Installing the Filament
1. Remove the filament cartridge in
the rear of Finder, where you will
place the filament spool.
2. Thread the filament through the
filament guide tube, pierce the
filament through the filament outlet
and then place the filament spool in
the box. Note: You should ensure the
right direction of the filament spool.
3. Put the filament cartridge back to
the Finder. Next load the PLA
filament to the extruder.

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Connecting power cable and USB cable
1. Insert the power supply into the
power input on the back of the
Finder and plug the power cord into
an electrical outlet.
2. Locate the USB cable and plug
one end into the Finder and the other
into your personal computer. The
Finder supports USB 2.0.
4. After loading the PLA filament, adhere
the plate tape over the build plate, as
shown in the right picture.
Note: The plate can be dawn out from the
build platform.

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D.Load and Unload Filament
Loading the filament:
1. Tap [Tool].
2. Tap [Filament]--[Load].
3. 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.
4. 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.
(Note: The Finder will sound a
warning when the filament is
running out, please change the
filament in time)

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Unloading the filament
1. Tap [Tool]
2. Tap [Filament]--[Unload].
3. Wait for the extruder to heat up to
the operating temperature. The
extruder will alert you once it is at
the operating temperature. Unload
the filament by gently guiding it out
of the extruder.。
Note: Do not pull out the filament
with force as it will damage the
gears. If the melted filament has
cooled down in the extruder, please
repeat the steps above.