Flashforge Inventor II User manual

Inventor
Inventor
UserGuide |
Inventor
UserGuide|
www.f
lashforge.com
Flashforge
Inventor
UserGuide
lashforge.com
Flashforge
Inventor
(
3D Printer
UserGuide
Flashforge
3DPrinter
UserGuide
FlashforgeCorporation
Flashforge
3D Printer
UserGuide
FlashforgeCorporation
0086
-
3D Printer
)
FlashforgeCorporation
-
0579-
82273989
FlashforgeCorporation
82273989

Inventor UserGuide | www.flashforge.com 0086-0579-82273989
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Content
Content ........................................................................................................................................2
Preface.........................................................................................................................................3
Introduction.................................................................................................................................4
Notice..........................................................................................................................................5
Chapter 1:3DPrinting Technology.............................................................................................8
Chapter 2:AboutInventor .....................................................................................................10
2.1 AboutYour Inventor ................................................................................................10
Chapter 3:HardwareAssembly.................................................................................................19
3.1 FilamentInstallation....................................................................................................19
3.2 PrinterStart-up............................................................................................................19
3.3 LoadingFilament ........................................................................................................20
Chapter 4:Build Plate Leveling................................................................................................24
Chapter 5:AboutSoftware........................................................................................................28
5.1 Software Installation....................................................................................................28
5.2 Exploring FlashPrint....................................................................................................28
Chapter 6:BasicPrinting ..........................................................................................................52
6.1 Generate a Gcode ........................................................................................................53
6.2 PrintMethods..............................................................................................................56
Chapter 7 :AdvancedPrinting ..................................................................................................59
7.1 Skillson Supports........................................................................................................67
7.2 Controlover Printing Quality......................................................................................73
Chapter 8:Supports and Service ...............................................................................................78

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Preface
Note:Each devicemustbetested before leaving factory.Ifthere are someresidues inextruder
or some tiny scratches on the buildtape, itis normaland won taffectthe printing quality.
Onthecompletion ofthis UserGuide,thanksallFlashforgeengineersand the
Flashforge3D printerusersfortheirunremitting effortsand sincereassistance.
TheFlashforgeInventor UserGuideisdesignedfortheInventor userstostart
theirprinting journeywith FlashforgeInventor .Evenifyouarefamiliarwith earlier
Flashforgemachinesor3Dprinting technology,westill recommend thatpleaseread
thisguide,asthereislotsofimportant information abouttheInventor foryoutoget
abetter 3D experience.
Forabetterand more successful printing experience,you canreferto thefollowing
materials:
(1)QuickStart Guide
Userswillfind theQuickStartGuidetogether with theprinteraccessories.TheQuick
StartGuidewillhelpyou startyour print journeyassoonaspossible.
(2)Official FlashforgeWebsite: http://www.flashforge.com
TheofficialFlashforgewebsitecontains theup-to-dateinformationconcerning
Flashforgesoftware,firmware,devicemaintenanceand so on.Usersarealso ableto
getthecontactinformation fromthere.

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Introduction
Notes
The FlashforgeInventor 3DPrinterUserGuide contains theinformation
neededfor you to setup and usethisdevice.
This UserGuideincludesthefollowing parts:Preface,Introduction,after-sale
service.
ThePrefacesection includesresource acquisition channel,theoverallframework
ofthemanual,and theproblemsthat should bepaid attentionto.
Theintroduction section contains thepresentation of3D printingtechnology,
equipmentintroduction,unpacking and installation ofequipment,softwareinstallation
anusage.
After-salesection tellstheuserhow to getthesupportand help.
·Pleaseread FlashforgeInventor 3DPrinterUserGuide carefullybeforeuse.
·TheUser Guideis writtenbasedon Windows7OS.
·Theversion oftheFlashprint islatest.

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Notice
SafetyNotice
!Notices:Readall theinstructionsinthemanualand familiarize yourselfwith the
FlashforgeInventor UserGuidebeforesetting-upand using.Failureto complywith
thewarning and instructionsmayresultin individualinjury, fire, equipment damageor
propertydamage.
PLEASESTRICTLYFOLLOWALLTHESAFETYWARNINGS ANDNOTICE
BELOWALLTHETIME.
WorkEnvironmentSafety
Keepyour workplace tidy.①
Donot operate②Inventor in the presence offlammableliquids, gasesordust.
③Inventor shouldbeplacedout ofchildrenand untrainedpeople reach.
Electrical Safety
Alwaysusethe①Inventor with aproperlygroundedoutlet.Donotrefit Inventor
plug.
Donot use②Inventor in damporwetlocations.Donot exposeInventor to
burning sun.
Don③ot abusethecord.
Avoidusing thedevice during anthunderstorm.④
Incaseofuncertain accident,pleaseunplug thedeviceif you donot useitfor long.⑤
PersonalSafety
Donot touchthenozzleand build plateduring printing.①
Donot touchthenozzle②afterfinishing printing.

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Dress properly.Donot wearlooseclothing orjewelry.Keepyourhair,clothing and③
glovesawayfrommovingparts.
Donotoperatethedevicewhileyouaretiredorunder theinfluenceofdrugs,④
alcoholormedication.
Cautions
Donot leavethedevice unattendedfor long.①
Donot makeany modifications to thedevice.②
Tolowerthebuild platebeforeloading/unloading filament.(Thedistance between③
thenozzleand buildplateshould bekeptfor atleast 50mm)
Operatethedevicein a well④-ventilatedenvironment.
Never usethedeviceforillegalactivities.⑤
Never usethedeviceto makeanyfood storagevessels.⑥
Never usethedeviceto makeanyelectricalappliance.⑦
Never put themodelintoy⑧ourmouth.
Donot removethemodels withforce.⑨
Environment Requirements
Temperature:RT15-30℃
Moisture:20%-70%
FilamentRequirements
Donot abusethefilament.PleasemakesureyouusetheFlashforgefilamentorthe
filament fromthebrands acceptedbyFlashforge.
FilamentStorage
All polymersdegradewith time.Donot unpackuntilfilamentis needed.Filament

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should bestoredin cleanand dryconditions.
Legal Notice
All theinformation in thisdocumentissubjecttoanyamendmentorchangewithout
theofficialauthorization fromFlashforge.
FLASHFORGECORPORATIONMAKESNO WARRANTYOFANYKIND WITH
REGARDTOTHIS DOCUMENT,INCLUDING,BUTNOTLIMITEDTO,THE
IMPLIEDWARRATIESOFMERCHANTA-BILITYANDFITNESSFORA
PARTICULARPURPOSE.
Flashforgeshall not beliableforerrorscontainedherein forincidentalconsequential
damagesin connection with furnishing,performance oruseofthismaterial
Thisdocument contains proprietaryinformation protectedbycopyright.
Copyright ©2016 Flashforge Corp. All RightsReserved

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Chapter1: 3DPrintingTechnology
3Dprinting referstotransforming three-dimensionalmodelsinto physicalobjects that
youcanhold and touch.Itisalso calledadditivemanufacturingbecausethe3D modelis
createdby “adding”layersuponlayersofmaterialuntiltheobjectisfullyformed.
FusedFilament Fabrication(FFF)isthemostcommonmethodof3D printing.Itisalso
themethod thattheInventor uses.Itworksbymelting plasticmaterialcalledfilament
onto aprintsurfacein high temperature.Thefilamentsolidifiesafteritcoolsdown,
whichhappens instantaneouslyafterit is extrudedfromthenozzle.3D objects are
formedwiththefilament laying downmultiplelayers.
1.1Process
3Dprinting involvesthree steps:
1.) Makeor downloada3Dmodel
2.) Slice and exportthe3D model
3.)Build the3Dmodel
1.1.1Makea3D Model:
Currently,therearethreewaysofcreating a3D model.
DesigningFromScratch Youcanusefree CAD(computer-aideddesign)software
suchas3DTADA,AutoCAD,SolidWorks,Pro-E,and ourown softwareHappy3D to
design your own3D model.
3DScanners Analternativemethodtocreatinga3D model istoscanan
object.3Dscannersworkbydigitizing aphysicalobject,collecting itsgeometricdata,
and saving it to a fileon yourPC.There arealso apps thatcanturna mobiledeviceinto
a3Dscanner.

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FromtheCloud Themostpopular wayofobtaining a3D modelisto downloadit
fromwebsitesthatallowusersto upload3D modelsthattheydesigned.
E.g.: www.thingiverse.com
1.1.2Sliceand Exportthe3DModel:
Slicesoftwareis thesoftwarethatprepares3Dmodels forprintingand turnstheminto
instructionsforthe3Dprinters.FlashPrintis theslicing softwareusedforthe
FlashForgeInventor .
UsingFlashPrint,youcanpreparestl.filesto beg.orgx.filesforprinting.Thenthe
filescanbetransferredto yourInventor viaUSB cable, USB stickorWi-Fi.
1.1.3Buildthe 3DModel:
Once theoutput filehasbeentransferredtoyourInventor ,it will startto turnthe3D
modelinto a physicalobjectbylaying downlayersoffilament.

Inventor
2.1About Your
2.1.1Views
Inventor
UserGuide |
Chapter2:About
2.1About Your
2.1.1Views
FrontTop
1. Touch screen
2. PowerSwitch
3. Nozzle
4. Z-
axisguiderod
5.
Buildplate
User Guide|
www.f
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Chapter2: About
2.1AboutYour
Inventor
FrontTop
RightBack
1. Touchscreen
2. PowerSwitch
axis guiderod
Build plate
lashforge.com
Chapter2: About
Inventor
FrontTop
RightBack
axis guiderod
6. Levelingknob
7. Filamentcartridge
8. Extruder
9. Filament intake
10. X
10
Chapter2: About
FrontTop
RightBack
6. Leveling knob
7. Filamentcartridge
8. Extruder
9. Filamentintake
10. X
-
axis guide rod
Chapter2:About
Inventor
FrontTop
RightBack
6. Leveling knob
7. Filamentcartridge
9. Filament intake
axis guide rod
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0579
Inventor
FrontTop
RightBack
11. Spring presser
12.
USBcableinput13.
USB stickinput
14. Powerinput
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-82273989
Inventor
11.Spring presser
USBcableinput13.
USB stickinput
14.Powerinput
11.Spring presser
USBcableinput 13.

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2.1.2Terms
Build Plate Theglasssurface on whichtheInventor builds an
object.
BuildTape ThebluetapethatcoversInventor sbuildplateso
thattheobjectcanadhereto thebuild platewell.
Build Volume Thethreedimensionalamountofspacethatanobject
willuseonceitis completed.Thelargest build volume
ofInventor is140*140*140mm.
Leveling Knobs Knobs underthebuildplatformthatareusedfor
adjusting thedistancebetweenthenozzleandbuild
plate.
Extruder Thedevice thatdraws thefilamentfromthespool,
melts it andpushesit throughanozzleinto thebuild
plate.
Nozzle Also called “print head”,whichlocatedatthebottom
oftheextruderwhereheatedfilamentis squeezedout.
Extruder Fan Tocool theouterassembly oftheextruderand gear
motor
Filament Intake Anopening locatedatthetop oftheextruder.
FilamentGuideTube Ablackplasticpiecethatguidesthefilament fromthe
filament box to thefilamentintake
FilamentCartridge Aspecificbox forplacing Flashforge filament
PVPGlue Stick Asolid adhesiveusedformaking themodelstickto the
buildplatefirmly
UnclogTool Atool thatusedforcleaning theextruder
StampingWrench Atool thatusedforseizing thenozzle smetalcube

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2.1.3Reference
Name Inventor
Number ofExtruderSingle
Print Technology FusedFilament Fabrication(FFF)
ScreenSize 3.5 colorIPSTouchScreen
BuildVolume 140×140×140mm
Layer Resolution 0.1-0.5mm
Build Accuracy ±0.1mm
Positioning Accuracy Zaxis 0.0025mm; XYaxis0.011mm
Filament Diameter 1.75mm（±0.07）
NozzleDiameter0.4mm
Build Speed 30~150 mm/s
Software FlashPrint
SupportFormats Input:3MF/STL/OBJ/FPP/BMP/PNG/JPG/JPEG
Output:GX/G
OS Win xp/Vista/7/8/10 MacOS Linux
ProdcutDimensions 420*420*420mm
NetWeight 11Kg
ACInput Input:100V-240VAC, 47-63HzPower65W
Connectivity USBcable,USBstick,WIFI

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2.1.4Interface Menus
ClickBuild
Read the printfilefrom
ŸThe localmemory card
ŸThe USB stick
ŸReturn arrow
Selectthe targetprintfile amongthe list
ŸBuild:To begin printing
ŸCopy:Tocopythe files tothe local
memory cardfromtheUSBstick.(The
buttonisnotavailablewhileprinting from
localmemory card )
ŸDelete:To delete the printfile
Printinterface
ŸAbort:To abortthe printjob.
ŸPause/Resume:Tosuspendorresumethe
printjob.
ŸMore:Tochange filamentandsetupauto
shutdown during printing.

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Toolsinprintinterface
Ÿ
Filament: Tochangefilamentduring
printing.
(Note:You needtosuspendtheoperation
first)
Ÿ
Finish
Ÿ
Cancel: Toend thetoolordersand
totheprint interface.
Tapthe[Preheat]button toenter thepreheat
interface. Tapthe[Start]button to heat upto
the settingtemperature.
The defaulttemperature is220. ℃
Tapthetemperature displaybar tosetthe
temperature.
Tosetthe preheattemperature.
Tap[Yes]to savethesetting whiletap[No]
tocancelthe setting.
Toolsinprintinterface
Filament:Tochangefilamentduring
printing.
(Note:You needtosuspend theoperation
first)
Finish
-
Shut:Tostartauto shutdown
Cancel:Toend thetoolordersand
to the printinterface.
Tapthe[Preheat]button toenterthepreheat
interface. Tapthe[Start]button toheatup to
the settingtemperature.
Thedefaulttemperatureis 220. ℃
Tapthetemperaturedisplaybar tosetthe
temperature.
Tosetthe preheattemperature.
Tap[Yes]tosavethesettingwhiletap[No]
to cancelthe setting.
0086-
0579
Toolsinprintinterface
Filament:Tochangefilamentduring
(Note:You needtosuspend theoperation
Shut:Tostartauto shutdown
Cancel:Toend thetoolordersand
to the printinterface.
Preheat
Tapthe[Preheat]button toenterthepreheat
interface. Tapthe[Start]button toheatup to
the settingtemperature.
Thedefaulttemperatureis 220. ℃
Tapthetemperaturedisplaybar tosetthe
Tosetthe preheattemperature.
Tap[Yes]tosavethesettingwhiletap[No]
to cancelthe setting.
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-82273989
Filament:Tochangefilamentduring
(Note:You needtosuspend theoperation
Shut:Tostartautoshutdown
Cancel:Toend thetoolordersand
return
Preheat
Tapthe[Preheat]button toenter thepreheat
interface. Tapthe[Start]button toheatup to
Thedefaulttemperatureis 220. ℃
Tapthetemperaturedisplaybar to setthe
Tosetthepreheattemperature.
Tap[Yes]tosavethesettingwhiletap[No]
Filament: Tochangefilamentduring
(Note:You needtosuspend theoperation
return
Tapthe[Preheat]button to enter thepreheat
interface. Tapthe[Start]button toheatup to
Tapthetemperaturedisplaybar tosetthe
Tap[Yes]tosavethesettingwhiletap[No]

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The picturedisplaysthe preheatinterface. It
showsthe actualtemperature and the target
temperature. Tapthe [Abort]buttontoabort
the preheatjob.
Tools
Tap[Tools] to enter tooloptions.
ŸFilament:Toload/unloadthefilament.
ŸLevel:Toadjustthe build plate.
ŸHome:Tomake the X,Yand Zaxesback
to thezero point.
ŸManual:Tomanuallyadjustthe positions
of X,Yand Zaxes.
ŸSetting:Toimplementrelevantfunction
setups.
ŸStatus:The check thereal-timestatus of
the printer.
ŸAbout:Information abouttheprinter.
ŸReturn arrow
Manualadjustment
ŸY+:The extruder moves tothe zero point,
thatis, the back of themachine
ŸY-:The extruder movestothedirection
opposite tothe Y+.
ŸX+:The extruder moves tothe zero
points, thatis, to the rightdirection
ŸX-:Theextruder moves tothe direction
opposite tothe X+.
ŸZ+:The build plate elevates.
ŸZ-:The build platedescends.
ŸReturn arrow

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Tap[Setting]to enter the settinginterface
Ÿ
Language:Tosetthedisplaylanguage
Ÿ
TPAdjust:Adjust the touchscreen
Ÿ
WIFI:Toturnon/down theWIFI
Ÿ
Servoon:Toturnon/downthe servo
Ÿ
PrintheadAdjust:
distancebetweentheextruder andthe
build plate
Ÿ
FilamentCheckOff:Toturnon/offthe
filament check
Ÿ
FactoryReset
Ÿ
Returnarrow
TPAdjust
Totapthe “+”on thetouchscreento
adjust the touch
0086-
0579
Tap[Setting]to enter the settinginterface
Language:Tosetthedisplaylanguage
TPAdjust:Adjust the touchscreen
WIFI:Toturnon/down theWIFI
Servoon:Toturnon/downthe servo
PrintheadAdjust:
distancebetweentheextruder andthe
build plate
FilamentCheckOff:Toturnon/offthe
filament check
FactoryReset
Returnarrow
TPAdjust
Totapthe “+”on thetouchscreento
adjust the touch
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Tap[Setting]toenter thesetting interface
Language:Tosetthedisplaylanguage
TPAdjust:Adjust thetouchscreen
WIFI:Toturnon/down theWIFI
Servo on:Toturnon/downthe servo
PrintheadAdjust:
Toadjust theinitial
distancebetweentheextruder andthe
FilamentCheckOff:Toturnon/offthe
returnto factorysetting
Totapthe “+”on thetouchscreento
adjust the touch
screen.
Tap[Setting]toenter the settinginterface
Language:Tosetthe displaylanguage
TPAdjust:Adjust the touchscreen
WIFI:Toturnon/downtheWIFI
Servoon:Toturnon/downthe servo
Toadjusttheinitial
distancebetweentheextruder andthe
FilamentCheckOff:Toturnon/offthe
returntofactorysetting
Totapthe “+”on thetouchscreento
Tap[Setting]to enter the setting interface
Toadjusttheinitial
distance betweentheextruderand the
FilamentCheckOff:Toturnon/offthe
returntofactorysetting
Totapthe “+”onthetouchscreento

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Servo On:
Actually,thepresent servo statusis off.
And theservo sswingarmwithdraws.
Tap ‘+or ‘-to adjustthestatus ofswing
arm.Tap ‘+,thearmswings downwhile
tap ‘-,thearmswings up.
Servo OFF:
Actually,thepresent servostatusis on.
And theservo sswingarmwithdraws.
Tap ‘+or ‘-to adjustthestatus ofswing
arm.Tap ‘+,thearmswings downwhile
tap ‘-,thearmswings up.
WIFI:
ŸReset: Resetthe WIFI
ŸTurn on WIFI:Turnon the WIFI,
release the WIFI hotspotandsetthe
WIFI oncomputer
ŸReturn arrow
PrintheadAdjust:
Afterthebuild plateand extruder
finish theinitialmovement,youcan
tap ‘+or ‘-to adjust thedistance
betweenthebuild plateand nozzle.
Z0.00stands fortheposition where
theservo is preciselytriggered.

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Status:
Itdisplaysthereal-timestatus of theextruder
temperature, fan andfilament.
About:
Itdisplaysthe basicinformation aboutthe
device.

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Chapter3:HardwareAssembly
YourInventor hasbeeninstalledbeforeleaving factory,youcanstartupthe
Inventor for printing aftermountingthefilament spool and completing leveling.
3.1FilamentInstallation
3-1
(3-1)Thefilament cartridgeisattherearofInventor .Liftthecartridgeout ofthe
Inventor .
3-2
(3-2)Takeout thefilamentand threadit through thefilamentdetecting equipment.
(Note: The filament shouldfeedsfromthebottomofthespool towardsthetop)
After installing thefilament,putthecartridgebacktotheprinter.
3.2PrinterStart-up
3-3
Black FilamentDetecting
Equipment
pwoer Powerin

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(3-3)Insertthepowersupplyinto thepowerinputon thebackoftheInventor and
plug thepower cordinto anelectricaloutlet.
(3-4) Pressthestarterbutton tostartthedevice.
3.3LoadingFilament
Forstablefilamentloading and properdeviceprotection,you needto install the
filament guidetubeproperly.
(3-5)Takeout thefilamentguidetube,threadthefilament fromthefilament
cartridgethrough thetube.
3-5
(3-6) Insertthefilament fromthefilamentguidetubeinto thefilament intake.
3-4
3
-
6