Flashforge Guider User manual

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

Guider User Guide | www.ff3dp.com
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Content
Content........................................................................................................................... 1
Preface............................................................................................................................2
Introduction.................................................................................................................... 4
Notice............................................................................................................................. 5
Chapter 1: 3D Printing Technology................................................................................8
Chapter 2：About Guider............................................................................................ 10
2.1 About Your Guider......................................................................................... 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........................................................................................... 26
4.4 Unloading Filament........................................................................................27
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............................................................................................. 56
6.1 Generate a Gcode............................................................................................56
6.2 Print Methods..................................................................................................60
Chapter 7: Advanced Printing...................................................................................... 63
Chapter 8: Supports and Service.................................................................................. 75

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Preface
Note: Each device must be tested at the manufacturer’s factory before dispatch as this
provides an opportunity to find the potential defects. If there are some residues in
extruder or some tiny scratches on the build tape, it is normal and won’t reduce the
printing quality.
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 sincere gratitude to all the
Flashforge engineers and the Flashforge 3D printer users for their unremitting efforts
and sincere assistance.
The Flashforge Guider User Guide is designed for the Guider users to start their
printing journey with Flashforge Guider. Even if you are familiar with earlier
Flashforge devices or 3D printing technology, we still recommend that you read
through this guide, as there is lots of important information about the Guider 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

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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 Guider 3D Printer User Guide contains the information needed for
you to set up and use this device.
This User Guide including the following three parts:
In the first part, you will learn the basic information about this User Guide, including
the channels to get the knowledge of Flashforge, the framework of this User Guide
and the safety notices and warnings.
The second part will take you to overview the Guider 3D printer, how to unbox safely,
how to get set up and how to use the device.
The last part will tell you the approach to getting assistance and support from
Flashforge Team.
·Please read Flashforge Guider 3D Printer User Guide carefully before use.
·The User Guide is written based on Windows 7 OS.
·The version of the Flashprint is 3.8.0.
·The version of the Firmware is 20160125.
·The device illustrations in the User Guide hall be those of Guider.

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Notice
Safety Notice
! Notices: Read all the instructions in the manual and familiarize yourself with the
Flashforge Guider 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 Guider in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust.
③Store Guider out of reach of children and untrained people.
· Electrical Safety
①Always use the Guider with a properly grounded outlet. Do not modify Guider
plug.
②Do not use Guider in damp or wet locations. Do not expose Guider 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.
②Do not touch the nozzle less than 10 minutes after the device just finishes working.

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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 working 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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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 Guider 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 Guider.
Using FlashPrint, you can prepare stl. files to be g. or gx. files for printing. Then the
files can be transferred to your Guider via USB cable, USB stick or Wi-Fi.
③Build the 3D Model:
Once the output file has been transferred to your Guider, 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 Guider
2.1 About Your Guider
2.1.1 Views
Home
Left Back
1. Z axis guide rod
2. Y Axis Guide Rod
3. X Axis Guide Rod
4. Extruder
5. Build Plate
6. Touch Screen
7. USB Cable Input
8. Power Switch
9. USB Flash Disk Input
10. R-shape Buckle
11.Quadrangular Opening
12. Power Input

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2.1.2 Terms
Build Plate
The glass surface on which the Guider builds an object.
Build Tape
The blue tape that covers Guider’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 Guider 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

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2.1.3 Parameters
Name
Guider
Number of Extruder
Single
Print Technology
Fused Filament Fabrication(FFF)
Screen
3.5’’ color IPS Touch Screen
Build Volume
250×250×200mm
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
499*440*451.5mm
AC Input
100-240V, 50-60Hz, 100W
Connectivity
USB cable, USB stick

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2.1.4 Interface Menus
Print
Read the print file from
◆The local memory card
◆The USB stick
Return arrow:Return to the previous page
Select the target print file among the list
◆Print: 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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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
The picture displays the preheat
interface. It shows the actual
temperature and the target temperature.
Tap the [Cancel] button to abort the
preheat job.

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Tap [Setting] to enter the setting interface
◆Language: To set the display language
◆TP Adjust: Adjust interface
◆Servo on: To turn on/down servo
◆Printhead Adjust: To adjust the initial
distance between the extruder and the
build plate
TP adjust:
Tap all the ‘+’ on the touch screen in
sequence to finish touch-screen-LCD
calibration.
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.
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.

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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(1) Power Cable USB Cable Acrylic Cover
USB Stick Quick Start Guide Allen Wrench(M1.5,M2.0,M2.5)
Screwdriver Spool Holder Filament Guide Tube

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Chapter 3: Unpacking
This chapter will show you the unpacking process of Guider 3D printer. (Please make
sure you’ve read the unpacking guide before unpacking.)
(3-1) Open the packaging carton and then take out an accessory box and two PE foam
pieces. The carton contains the components of acrylic cover, three Allen Wrenches
and a screwdriver.
(3-2) Take your Guider out from the carton.
3-1
3-2