Flashforge Inventor User manual

FlashForge Corporation
Inventor User Guide | www.FlashForge.com 400-699-1063
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FlashForge Inventor 3D Printer
User Guide

Inventor User Guide | www.FlashForge.com 400-699- 1063
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Content
Content............................................................................................................................ 2
Introduction.....................................................................................................................4
Notice.............................................................................................................................. 5
Chapter 1: 3D Printing Technology................................................................................ 8
1.1 Process............................................................................................................... 8
Chapter 2 . About Inventor............................................................................................10
2.1 About Your Inventor.........................................................................................10
2.1.1 Main view:.................................................................................................... 10
Chapter 3. Unpacking................................................................................................... 14
Chapter 4 . Hardware Assembly................................................................................... 17
4.1 Mounting the Extruder Set............................................................................... 17
4.2 Installing Filament........................................................................................... 19
4.3 Plugging in Power Cable&USB Cable............................................................ 20
4.4 Loading and Unloading Filament.................................................................... 20
Chapter 5: Build Plate Leveling....................................................................................24
Chapter 6: About Software............................................................................................27
6.1 Software Installation........................................................................................ 27
6.2 Exploring FlashPrint........................................................................................ 28
Chapter 7: Basic Printing.............................................................................................. 52
7.1 Single-Extrusion and Dual-Extrusion Print..................................................... 52
7.2 Methods of printing..........................................................................................58
7.3 Camera Setting................................................................................................. 62
7.4 Resume Print.................................................................................................... 66
Chapter 8: Supports and Service................................................................................... 68

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Preface
Note: Each device must be tested before leaving factory. If there are some residues in
extruder or some tiny scratches on the build tape, it is normal and won’t affect the
printing quality.
On the completion of this User Guide, thanks all FlashForge engineers and the
FlashForge 3D printer users for their unremitting efforts and sincere assistance.
The FlashForge Inventor User Guide is designed for the Inventor users to start their
printing journey with FlashForge Inventor. 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 Inventor 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:http://www.FlashForge.com
The official FlashForge website contains the up-to-date information concerning
FlashForge software, firmware, device maintenance and so on. Users are also able to
get the contact information from there.

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Introduction
Notes：
The FlashForge Inventor 3D Printer User Guide contains the information needed for
you to set up and use this device.
This User Guide including the following parts: Preface, Introduction and After-sale
service.
The Preface section includes resource acquisition channel, the overall framework of
the manual, and the problems that should be paid attention to while printing.
The introduction section contains the overview of 3D printing technology, equipment
introduction, unpacking and installation of equipment, software installation and usage.
After-sale section contains the user how to get the support and help.
·Please read FlashForge Inventor 3D Printer User Guide carefully before use.
·The User Guide is written based on Windows 7 OS.
·The version of the FlashPrint is latest.

Inventor User Guide | www.FlashForge.com 400-699- 1063
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Notice
Safety Notice
! Notices: Read all the instructions in the manual and familiarize yourself with the
FlashForge Inventor 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 Inventor in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust.
③Keep Inventor out of reach of children and untrained people.
· Electrical Safety
①Always use the Inventor with a properly grounded outlet. Do not modify Inventor
plug.
②Do not use Inventor in damp or wet locations. Do not expose Inventor to burning
sun.
③In case of device damage, please use the power supply provided by FlashForge.
④Avoid using the device during a thunderstorm.
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 after finishing printing.

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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 device unattended for long.
②Do not make any modifications to the device.
③Lower 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.
⑤Never use the device for illegal activities.
⑥Never use the device to make any food storage vessels.
⑦Never use the device to make any electrical appliance.
⑧Never put the model into your mouth.
⑨Do not remove the models with force.
· Environment Requirements
Temperature: RT 15-30℃
Moisture: 20%-70%
· Place Requirements
The device must be placed in a dry and ventilated environment. The distances of the
left, right and back side space should be at least 20cm, and the distance of the front
side space should be at least 35cm.

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· Filament Requirements
Do not abuse the filament. Please make sure you use the FlashForge filament or the
filament from the brands accepted by FlashForge.
· Filament Storage
All polymers degrade with time. Do not unpack filament until necessary. Filament
should be stored at clean 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 MERCHANTABILITY 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 © 2017 FlashForge Corp. All Rights Reserved

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Chapter 1: 3D Printing Technology
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.
Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) is the most common method of 3D printing. It is
also the method that the Inventor 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.
1.1 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
1.1.1 Make a 3D Model
Currently, there are three ways to creating a 3D model.
·Designing From Scratch You can use free CAD (computer-aided design) software
such as 3DTADA, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Pro-E, and our own software Happy 3D to
design your own 3D model.
·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

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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. thingiverse.com
1.1.2 Slice 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 Inventor.
Using FlashPrint, you can turn .stl files to be .g or .gx files for printing. Then the files
can be transferred to your Inventor via USB cable, SD card or Wi-Fi.
1.1.3 Build the 3D Model
Once the output file has been transferred to your Inventor, 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 Inventor
2.1 About Your Inventor
2.1.1 Main view:
1. Camera
2. Extruder
3. Timing belt
4. Panel
5. Build plate
6. Filament
7. Power input
8. Power switch
9. Touch screen
10. Reset button
11. USB cable input
12. SD card slot
13. Filament intake
14. Turbofan
15. Spring presser
16. Cooling fan
17. Turbofan baffle
18. Nozzle
Extruder Component
Whole Machine

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2.1.2 Accessory Box
Filament*2 Power Cable USB Cable Panel*2
Turbofan Baffle Toolbox Build Tape Quick Start Guide
Tweezers SD Card Leveling Card Screwdriver
Scraper Screw Box Carving Knife Stamping Wrench
Unclogging Pin Tool Allen Wrench Grease

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2.1.3 Terms
Build Plate
The surface on which the Inventor builds an object.
Build Tape
The blue tape that covers Inventor’s build plate so that
the object can stick 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 Inventor is 230*150*160mm.
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 black plastic piece that guides the filament from the
filament box to the filament intake.
Unclogging Pin Tool
A tool that used for cleaning and unclogging the
extruder.
Stamping Wrench
A tool that used for seizing the nozzle’s metal cube.

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2.1.4 Reference
Name
Inventor
Number of Extruder
2
Print Technology
Fused Filament Fabrication(FFF)
Screen
3.5’’ color IPS Touch Screen
Print Accuracy
±0.1mm
Positioning Accuracy
Z axis 0.0025mm; XY axis 0.011mm
Layer Resolution
0.05-0.4mm
Build Volume
230*150*160mm
Nozzle Diameter
0.4mm
Build Speed
10~200mm/s
Maximum Extruder
Temperature
240℃
Filament Diameter
1.75mm（±0.07）
Filament Types
ABS/PLA/Conductive PLA/Flexible Filament
Software
FlashPrint
Support Formats
Input: 3MF/STL/OBJ/FPP/BMP/PNG/JPG/JPEG;
Output: GX/G
OS
Win xp/Vista/7/8/10、Mac OS、Linux
Device Size
485*344*382(402)mm
Net Weight
10.7Kg
AC Input
100-240V~/4.5A-2.5A
Connectivity
USB cable, SD card, WiFi

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Chapter 3. Unpacking
(Reference video:Unpacking)
This chapter will present you the whole unpacking procedure of Inventor 3D
printer.(Note: Make sure you read the whole unpacking guide)
1. （3-1）Put Inventor package on the clean, tidy workbench,using a knife to cut the
tape ,then you can see two pieces of Build Tape, a Leveling Card, a After-sales
Service Card and a Quick Start Guide, which will guide you know our Inventor 3D
Printer.
3-1
2. （3-2）Remove the top protective foam pieces, which also houses the Inventor’s
lid. Set this aside for now. The Inventor unit and a Power Cable will then be exposed.
3-2
3. （3-3）Lift the Inventor by its side openings and place it on a flat surface. Then
you will see the Toolbox and USB cable in the shipping box. In the Toolbox, you can

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find a Carving Knife, a Scraper, a bag of Grease, Tweezers and a Screw Box.
What's more, a SD card, some screws,Leveling Knob and two PTFE Tube in the
box.
3-3
4.（3-4）The Inventor will have an accessory box on top of it, which will contain the
extruder set. Remove the box and the foam pad from the Inventor, and gently lay the
extruder set on the Inventor build plate.
Inside the accessory box, you will find an Extruder Accessory Kit and two pieces of
removable side panels.
3-4
5. (3-5) Move the build plate up carefully.
3-5

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6. (3-6)Take out the PLA filament and ABS filament carefully which is under the
build plate.
3-6
(3-7)You’ve finished unpacking your Inventor. Next we will move on to the hardware
assembly.
3-7

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Chapter 4 . Hardware Assembly
The Inventor comes pre-assembled and is almost ready-to-print (ARP). All you need
to do is to set the appropriate voltage, mount the extruder set, and install the filament.
It will only take 5 to 10 minutes to set up the Inventor and prepare for your first 3D
print!
4.1 Mounting the Extruder Set
4-1
(4-1) Lay the extruder set on top of the extruder seat with the two extruder fans facing
the front.
(4-2) Secure the extruder set onto the extruder seat with two M3x12 from the bottom
up.
4-2

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(4-3) Use the M2.5 Allen Wrench to unscrew two turbofan bolts. Take the turbofan
baffle from the extruder’s accessory kit. Install the turbofan baffle to the turbofan.
Align the bump on the turbofan seat to the hole in turbofan sub-assembly. Place the
turbofan sub-assembly besides the turbofan seat. Insert the bump on the turbofan seat
to the turbofan sub-assembly. Screw the two bolts in. Take a M3 x 6 bolt from the
extruder’s accessory kit and complete installation.
4-3

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4.2 Installing Filament
(4-4) Lock the filament in place by securing it with the filament spool holder and
turning it counter-clockwise.
(4-5) Feed the filament through the filament guide tube. Attach the guide tube onto
the two filament guide tube brackets.
(4-6) Stick the build sheet to the build plate after installing filament, as picture shows.
4-4
4-5
4-6

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4.3 Plugging in Power Cable&USB Cable
4-7
(4-7) Locate the power cable, and plug it into the Inventor.
Optional: Locate the USB cable and plug one end into the Inventor and the other into
your computer. The Inventor supports USB connectivity.
4.4 Loading and Unloading Filament
Filament must pass through the extruder and into the heating block in order to be
melted. In this user guide, we will demonstrate loading and unloading filament using
the left side extruder.
Loading filament:
4-8
(4-8) Remove the lid of the Inventor