Flashforge Adventurer 5M Pro User Guide

Notice

SAFETY NOTICE: PLEASE CAREFULLY READ AND STRICTLY FOLLOW ALL THE SAFETY WARNINGS AND NOTICES BELOW ALL THE TIME.

Note: Each 3D printer undergoes printing tests before leaving the factory. Filament residue on the nozzle or slight scratches on the build plate are normal and do not affect usage.

WORK ENVIRONMENT SAFETY

• Please keep the workspace clean and tidy.
• Please ensure the equipment operates away from combustible gases, liquids, and dust. High temperatures generated during operation may react with combustible gases, liquids, or airborne dust, potentially causing fires.
• Children and untrained individuals should not operate the equipment alone. This equipment is only allowed to be used by skilled personnel and is not suitable for use in locations where children are likely to be present.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

• Please properly ground the equipment. Do not modify the plug. Ungrounded equipment/improperly grounded equipment/modified plug will inevitably increase the risk of electric leakage.
• Avoid exposing the equipment to damp or direct sunlight environments. Humidity will increase the risk of electric leakage. Exposure to sunlight will accelerate the aging of plastic parts.
• Make sure to only use the power cord provided by Flashforge.
• Do not use the equipment during thunderstorms.
• Please turn off the equipment and unplug it if it is not in use for a long time.

PERSONAL SAFETY

• Do not touch the extruder, build plate, etc., during printing.
• Do not touch the extruder and build plate after finishing printing to avoid high temperature burns or mechanical damage.
• Do not wear scarves, masks, gloves, jewelry, or other objects that can easily get tangled into the equipment while operating it.
• Do not operate the equipment while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication.

⚠️ Keep away from moving parts

⚠️ Keep away from fan blades

? Hot surface
Do not touch

CAUTIONS

• Keep the inside of the equipment clean. Do not drop metal objects into the grooves at the bottom of the build plate.
• Please clean up filament debris in time. It is recommended to operate this outside the equipment.
• Any modification of the equipment by yourself will void the warranty.
• Please keep the distance between the extruder and build plate for at least 50mm during filament loading. Too-close distance may cause nozzle clogs.
• Please operate the equipment in a well-ventilated environment.
• Do not use the equipment for illegal activities.
• Do not use the equipment to make food storage containers.
• Do not place printed models into your mouth.

EQUIPMENT ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

Room temperature: 15-30°C; Humidity: 20-70RH%

EQUIPMENT PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS

The equipment must be placed in a dry and well-ventilated environment. A distance of at least 35cm must be reserved around the front, back, left and right sides of the equipment. Recommended storage temperature: 0-40°C

COMPATIBLE FILAMENT REQUIREMENTS

When using this equipment, it's recommended to use Flashforge's filaments. If non-Flashforge filaments are used, there will be certain differences in material properties, and print parameters may need adjustments.

FILAMENT STORAGE REQUIREMENTS

Please store filaments in a dry and dust-free environment after unpacking. It is recommended to use the matching filament dry box for storage.

LEGAL STATEMENT

Users are not authorized to make any modifications to this User Guide. Flashforge shall not be held responsible for any safety incidents resulting from the disassembly or modification of the equipment by the customer. No one is allowed to modify or translate this Guide without Flashforge's permission. This Guide is protected by copyright, and Flashforge reserves the right of the final interpretation of this Guide.

First Edition (September 2023)
Copyright © 2023 Zhejiang Flashforge 3D Technology Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

1. Equipment Introduction

1.1 Printer Components

The printer components are illustrated with the following labels:

• 1. Top Cover
• 2. Extruder
• 3. Switch Button
• 4. Touch Screen
• 5. Front Door
• 6. Auxiliary Cooling Fan
• 7. Build Plate
• 8. USB Port
• 9. Air Filter
• 10. Screw Holes for Spool Holder
• 11. Ethernet Input
• 12. Power Switch
• 13. Power Socket

Note: 5*20 Glass Slow Blow Fuse (5T Series 10A/250V)

1.2 Printer Parameters

Note: Materials marked with * are recommended for printing.

2. Initial Setup

2.1 Unboxing

Safety Notice: Do not power on the printer until installation is completed.

1. Open the box.
2. Remove the upper foam packaging, Quick Start Guide and After-sales Service Card.
3. Take out the machine, place it on a level workspace and remove the packaging bags and tapes.
4. Open the top cover and remove the upper protective foam.
5. Remove the filament, power cable, USB flash drive, 0.6mm nozzle from the chamber protective foam. Remove the inner protective foam from the extruder. Open the front door and remove the front protective foam and accessory box.
6. Move the chamber foam according to the arrow direction.
7. Remove the foam.

2.2 Packing List

• 3D Printer
• Filament
• Power Cable
• After-sales Service Card
• Quick Start Guide
• 0.6mm Nozzle
• Spool Holder (with 2 screws)
• Grease
• Glue
• USB Disk
• Unclogging Pin Tool
• Screwdriver
• Allen Wrench (2.0, 2.5, 3.0)
• Diagonal Pliers

2.3 Installing the Spool Holder

1. Take out the two screws and spool holder from the accessory box.
2. Install the spool holder at the position shown in the figure with the two screws. (Note: Please tighten them using a 2.0mm Allen wrench.)

2.4 Unlocking the Build Plate

Note: Please ensure the platform has been cleared up!

Please use a 2.0mm Allen wrench to remove four screws which lock the build plate (as indicated by the arrow).

2.5 First Print

* The interface layout may change whenever there is an upgrade of firmware.

1. Connect the power, turn on the power switch, and press the switch button to turn on the screen.
2. Following the guide on the screen, select the language.
3. Turn on the Wi-Fi switch and connect to the network following the instructions. A successful connection notification will pop up once connected.
4. Bind the printer following the instructions. (Note: If skipped, binding can still be done later on the printer; see Page 15.)
   • a. After clicking [OK], the QR code page will appear.
   • b. Download Flash Maker by scanning the QR code (see right) or from the app store, register your Flashforge account, and log in.
   • c. Use Flash Maker to scan the QR code on the printer screen to bind the printer to your account. (Note: Default printer name and location are set upon leaving the factory; after completing the startup, you can customize the printer name and location in the settings.)
5. Click [Next] and the machine will perform the first calibration. Vibrations and noise during calibration are normal. (Note: Please keep the machine on a stable surface and do not move it during calibration.)
6. Load filament following the on-screen startup boot:
   • a. Cut off the bent part of the filament end.
   • b. Hang the filament on the spool holder. Pass it through the filament sensor until it's seen from the other end of the filament guide tube. Push it forward to the feed roller, until it can not go further. (Please use PLA filament for the first print on initial setup).
   • C1. Click [Load] and select [PLA] for the first print.
   • C2. Wait for the extruder to heat up.
   • C3. Feeding will begin after heating. Successful filament extrusion from the nozzle indicates successful loading. Lastly, confirm the filament guide tube is properly inserted.
7. If no filament is extruded, manually insert the filament into the inlet and click [Back] to retry. Feel for filament movement until it is extruded.
8. Please clear the filament residues on the nozzle and platform. Users must apply glue to the platform so as to improve adhesion for the first print.
9. Click [Print] and the machine starts printing the built-in file (configured for PLA material).

3. Software Introduction & Installation

Flash Maker Instructions

1. Download Flash Maker by scanning the QR code (see below) or from the app store, register your Flashforge account, and log in.
2. Click [ ]-[ ], and then turn on the Wi-Fi switch to connect to the network.
3. Click [ⓘ ] to enter the information interface, and then click [My Account] to access the printer's QR code.
4. Use Flash Maker to scan the QR code on the printer screen to bind the printer to your account.

NOTE:

1. By default, the device name is set to "Adventurer 5M Pro", and its location is set to "Group A" upon factory settings. You can modify the name and location on the printer's information interface as needed.
2. Real-time monitoring is only accessible when a camera is installed and the feature is enabled.
3. The APP does not support connection in the LAN Only mode.

Slicing Software Instructions for Adventurer 5M Pro Series

Note: Before reading the brief instructions, please ensure you have reviewed the Quick Start Guide and completed the first print.

Before printing 3D model files, you need to configure slicing presets for the corresponding printer. Recommended slicing software: Orca-Flashforge/ OrcaSlicer.

Pre-printing Steps:

1. Obtain the 3D file (STEP/STL/OBJ)
2. Download and install the slicing software
3. Use the slicing software to convert the file into the machine-readable format
4. Import the sliced file via a USB flash drive or network transfer to the printer for printing

Orca-Flashforge

* The steps are illustrated for one machine type.

Orca-Flashforge is a slicing software developed based on OrcaSlicer, with custom features tailored for the Adventurer 5M Pro series.

Download Instructions:

1. Download the latest slicing software from: https://www.flashforge.com/download-center.
2. Find the Orca-Flashforge's installation package on the USB flash drive and install the version that matches your system.

OrcaSlicer Download Instructions:

1. Download the latest slicing software from: https://github.com/SoftFever/OrcaSlicer/releases.
2. Download from the official Flashforge Download Center (https://www.flashforge.com/download-center).

Note: Please download slicing software version 1.8.0 or later.

Tip: For details and tutorials on software usage, please refer to Flashforge Wiki. (https://wiki.flashforge.com/en/home).

4. Printing

4.1 Filament Loading and Changing

4.1.1 Filament Loading

Click [ ] to enter the filament loading interface and follow on-screen instructions to complete filament loading.

4.1.2 Filament Changing

Click []- [8], and follow on-screen instructions to complete filament changing.

Instructions for Filament Changing:

1. Pull out the guide tube and cut off the filament.
2. Replace the filament in the guide tube with the new one.
3. Click [Start]. After the previous filament is extruded, insert the new filament to the feeding roller.
4. Check if the new filament is coming out.

4.2 Network Connection

Click []-[] to enter the network connection interface.

4.2.1 Wireless Network Connection

Turn on the Wi-Fi switch, and tap to connect to the corresponding wireless network. Once connected successfully, the network will be marked, and an [?] icon will appear at the top right corner of the screen.

4.2.2 Wired Network Connection

1. Select [Ethernet] and plug the network cable into the Ethernet port on the back of the printer following on-screen instructions.
2. Once connected successfully, it will display as [Connected], and an [?] icon will appear at the top right corner of the screen.

4.3 Printing Methods

4.3.1 Printing via USB

The printer supports printing via USB. Save the sliced file to a USB flash drive, insert it into the printer, and select the corresponding file to start printing.

4.3.2 Printing via Wi-Fi transfer

After successfully connecting the printer to the network, open Orca-Flashforge. After finishing slicing, click [Print plate] in the menu, and select the connected Adventurer 5M Pro to send the print job.

Note: The printer and the computer must be connected to the same network. There are two modes for printer connection: WAN Mode and LAN Only Mode.

4.3.3 Printing via Cloud

Printing via FlashCloud

1. Click [⚙️]-[<0xF0><0x9F><0xAA><0x9A>], turn on the FlashCloud switch, and view the registration code.
2. Open the FlashCloud website and register an account. After email activation, you can log in and use. FlashCloud: https://cloud.sz3dp.com/
3. Click [My Printer] - [Add Printer]. On the Add Printer page, enter the registration code (cloud registration code) and name the printer. After clicking [OK], the information will appear on the printer's FlashCloud interface.

Printing via Polar Cloud Open the Polar Cloud website and register an account. Polar Cloud: https://polar3d.com

Note: Polar Cloud service may not be available outside the United States.

After logging in, click the icon at the top right corner, click [Settings], and click [PIN Code] in the menu to find the PIN code.

After connecting the Adventurer 5M Pro to the network, simply turn on the Polar Cloud switch and enter your account and PIN code.

4.4 Camera Connection

1. Click [⚙️]-[<0xF0><0x9F><0x93><0xB9>] to turn on the camera switch.
2. After the printer is connected to Orca-Flashforge, you can view real-time videos via [Device] - [Device Status] in Orca-Flashforge.
3. Turn on the video switch, and video files will be generated after the model is printed. You can export them to a USB flash drive for viewing.

4.5 Model Removal After Printing

Note: When printing is completed, the nozzle and build plate may still be at a high temperature. It is recommended to allow them to cool down before removing the model.

After printing is completed, directly take out the flexible steel plate and bend the platform to remove the model. Ensure there is no residual filament on the platform before the next print.

Tips on Model Removal:

1. Please take the platform plate outside the printer for model removal to prevent model debris from accumulating inside the printer. It's recommended to keep the chamber clean.
2. For models printed with TPU or other flexible materials, it is recommended to use a scraper for removal, which ensures you can remove the flexible model from the bed without causing damage.

5. Introduction to Auxiliary Functions

Note: The interface layout may change whenever there is an upgrade of firmware.

5.1 Leveling and Calibration

During the first startup, equipment calibration will be performed. During subsequent use, choose leveling or vibration compensation as needed.

When to perform leveling:

• If continuously printing with PLA material, perform automatic leveling once with no need to do so before each print. However, performing leveling can inevitably improve the printing success rate;
• When switching between different materials (e.g., from PLA to ABS), please perform leveling before each print;
• If the platform-nozzle distance is too far (poor adhesion) or too close (no filament extrusion), please perform automatic leveling;
• After replacing the build plate or nozzle, please perform automatic leveling.

When to perform vibration compensation:

• When there is noticeable ghosting and ringing on 3D prints;
• After adjusting the tension of the synchronous belt;
• When the printer has been unused for a long time and is now being restarted.

Instructions: Click [⚙️]-[<0xF0><0x9F><0x94><0xB3>] to enter the leveling and calibration interface. Choose [Leveling] or [Vibration test], click [Start], and the printer will automatically perform the corresponding operation. (Note: Before calibration, ensure there are no foreign objects on the platform or at the nozzle tip.)

Note on when to perform PID calibration: This can be performed after replacing the nozzle or when the nozzle temperature is abnormal.

5.2 Air Filtration

The printer has internal&external circulation air filtration mechanisms for different materials. During printing, the printer can automatically choose between internal circulation filtration or external circulation filtration based on the detected printing material. (Note: Files exported from third-party slicing software cannot be automatically recognized and require manual selection.)

5.3 Other Function Settings

In the information interface, you can enable or disable sound, filament detection and auto shutdown, and perform firmware updates.

• When [Filament detect] is enabled, the printer will stop printing if filament runs out mid-print.
• When [Auto shut down] is enabled, the printer will power off automatically 30 minutes after completing a print job.
• When connected to a wireless network, click [Firmware update] to view the current version, check for updates, and perform online firmware updates.
• Printer Name and Location: Users can customize the name and location as desired.

6. Maintenance

6.1 Suggestions on Platform Plate Usage

1. Powder coated PEI plate requires glue and is suitable for printing PLA/PETG/PLA-CF/PETG-CF/ ABS/ASA. TPU printing does not require glue. This plate comes with the printer.
2. PEI film plate is suitable for printing PLA/TPU without glue. For PETG, it's recommended to use glue. This plate can be purchased separately.
3. PC sticker platform plate is suitable for printing PC/ABS/ASA. This plate can be purchased separately.
4. After applying glue to the platform plate, it can be cleaned with water.
5. If the platform plate gets oily, it can be cleaned with a dish detergent.
6. If the platform plate deforms significantly after long-term use, it's recommended to replace it with a new one.

6.2 Suggestions on Nozzle Usage

1. Please use one nozzle for the same type of material to avoid clogs and extend nozzle lifespan, especially when working with fiber-reinforced materials and PETG. Please avoid mixing them with other materials.
2. When switching to a different material with the same nozzle, if the new material's printing temperature is lower, adjust the setting to a higher temperature for filament extrusion to purge old filament from the nozzle.
3. When switching to a different material with a higher printing temperature, just load the new filament.
4. To clean residual filament inside the nozzle, you can perform multiple filament loading or manually clear any remaining filament using the unclogging pin tool.
5. After replacing the nozzle, please perform leveling again.

6.3 General Maintenance

1. Please apply lubricating oil to the guide rails after 200 hours of printing.
2. Please replace the filter cotton every 300 hours of printing or when it appears darker in color.
3. Please clean the filament residue inside the equipment chamber in time.

7. Q&A

Q1. How to unclog the nozzle?

Method 1: Click [Load] and heat the nozzle to the printing temperature of the used filament. After heating, remove the filament guide tube, and check if the filament is bent or filament tip is not smooth. If so, trim and insert the guide tube and filament into the nozzle, then click [Load] and check.

Method 2: If Method 1 doesn't work, use the unclogging pin tool.

Method 3: If Method 2 doesn't work, please replace the nozzle.

Q2. How to replace the nozzle?

Note: Please power off the printer before replacing the nozzle!

1. Remove the filament guide tube and cut the filament.
2. Press the left and right buckles and remove the nozzle. Trim the filament along the nozzle top.
3. Insert the new nozzle into the extruder and you can hear a "click" sound indicating the buckle position has changed. Ensure that the nozzle slot aligns flush with the bottom of the extruder.

Note: If you have trouble aligning the nozzle, you can press the buckles during installation or remove the front cover of the extruder (grab the lower part of the front cover with your hand and lift it upward slightly) to check the position.

Whether it is installed in place is judged as follows:

1. Ensure the nozzle is pressed to the bottom firmly during installation.
2. Check if it is properly installed:
   • a. Check the red buckle positions on the left and right.
   • b. Check if the nozzle slot is flush with the bottom of the extruder (if your view is obstructed, you can remove the front cover of the extruder to observe).

4. Power up the printer, click [ ] to enter the loading interface, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete filament loading (refer to 4.1.1). Filament coming out of the new nozzle smoothly indicates a successful nozzle replacement.

Q3. Is leveling required after nozzle replacement?

Yes. It is recommended to perform automatic leveling to ensure high print quality as slight errors may occur during nozzle installation. The equipment defaults to the leveling operation before each print.

8. Help and Support

For more information, you can visit the Flashforge official website: www.flashforge.com - [Support]