Flashforge Creator 3 Service Manual

FlashForge Corporation

！NOTE Please read FlashForge Creator3 3D Printer User Guide carefully before use. Please

well keep this User Guide for future reference.

FlashForge Creator3 3D Printer

User Guide

Creator3 User Guide | www.flashforge.com 0086- 0579-82273989

Creator3 User Guide | www.flashforge.com 400-699-1063

Content

Content.........................................................................................................................................2

Preface..........................................................................................................................................3

Introduction..................................................................................................................................4

Notice...........................................................................................................................................5

Chapter 1: 3D Printing Technology............................................................................................. 9

1.1 Process........................................................................................................................... 9

Chapter 2: About Creator3.........................................................................................................11

2.1 About Your Creator3....................................................................................................11

Chapter 3：Unpacking.............................................................................................................. 35

Chapter 4: Hardware Assembly................................................................................................. 40

4.1 Filament Installation.................................................................................................... 40

4.2 Printer Start-up.............................................................................................................41

4.3 Loading Filament.........................................................................................................41

4.4 Unloading Filament..................................................................................................... 43

Chapter 5: Build Plate Leveling.................................................................................................45

Chapter 6: About Software.........................................................................................................47

6.1 Software Installation.................................................................................................... 47

6.2 Exploring FlashPrint....................................................................................................47

Chapter 7: Basic Printing...........................................................................................................70

7.1 Generate a Gcode.........................................................................................................70

7.2 Print Methods...............................................................................................................73

7.2.1 Print from Computer ( Ethernet Cable connection)..........................................73

7.2.2 Print from Computer (WiFi connection)...........................................................74

7.2.3 Print from USB Stick........................................................................................76

Chapter 8: Supports and Service................................................................................................77

Creator3 User Guide | www.flashforge.com 400-699-1063

Preface

Note: Each device must be tested before leaving factory. If there are some residues in extruder

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 Creator3 User Guide is designed for the Creator3 users to start their

printing journey with FlashForge Creator3. Even if you are familiar with earlier

FlashForge machines or 3D printing technology, we still recommend that please read

this guide, as there is lots of important information about the Creator3 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.

or some tiny scratches on the build tape, it is normal and won’t affect the printing quality.

Creator3 User Guide | www.flashforge.com 400-699-1063

Notes：

The FlashForge Creator3 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 use.

After-sale section contains the user how to get the support and help.

·Please read FlashForge Creator3 3D Printer User Guide carefully before use.

·The User Guide is written based on Windows 7 OS.

·The version of the FlashPrint is latest.

Introduction

Creator3 User Guide | www.flashforge.com 400-699-1063

Safety Notice

! Notices: Read all the instructions in the manual and familiarize yourself with the

FlashForge Creator3 User Guide before setting-up and using. 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

①

Keep your work place tidy.

② Do not operate Creator3 in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust.

③ Keep Creator3 out of children and untrained people’ reach.

· Electrical Safety

① Always use the Creator3 with a properly grounded outlet. Do not refit Creator3

plug.

② Do not use Creator3 in damp or wet locations. Do not expose Creator3 to burning

sun.

③

In case of device damage, please use the power supply provided by FlashForge.

④ Avoid using the device during an thunderstorm.

⑤ In case of uncertain accident, please unplug the device if you do not use it for long.

·Personal Safety

① Do not touch the nozzle and build plate during printing.

Notice

Creator3 User Guide | www.flashforge.com 400-699-1063

②

Do not touch the nozzle after finishing printing.

③ Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Keep your hair, clothing

and gloves away from moving parts.

④

Do not operate the device while you are tired or under the influence of drugs,

alcohol or medication.

· Cautions

① Do not leave the device unattended for long.

② Do not make any modifications to the device.

③

To lower the build plate before loading/unloading filament. (The distance between

the nozzle and build plate should be kept for at least 50mm)

④ Operate the device in a well-ventilated environment.

⑤

Never use the device for illegal activities.

⑥ Never use the device to make any food storage vessels.

⑦ Never use the device to make any electrical appliance.

⑧

Never put the model into your mouth.

⑨ Do not remove the models with force.

⑩ Never connect the device with network cable longer than 3m.

· 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.

Creator3 User Guide | www.flashforge.com 400-699-1063

· 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 until filament is needed. Filament

should be stored at clean and 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

FCC STATEMENT:

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the

following two conditions:

(1) This device may not cause harmful interference,

(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may

cause undesired operation.

Warning: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible

Creator3 User Guide | www.flashforge.com 400-699-1063

for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B

digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to

provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.

This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not

installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference

to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not

occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to

radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off

and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the

following measures:

Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the

receiver is connected.

Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

This document contains proprietary information protected by copyright.

Creator3 User Guide | www.flashforge.com 400-699-1063

Chapter 1: 3D Printing Technology

3D printing refers to 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 Creator3 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

scanner.

Creator3 User Guide | www.flashforge.com 400-699-1063

·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.

Flashforge Cloud: cloud.sz3dp.com

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 Creator3.

Using FlashPrint, you can turn .stl files into .g or .gx files for printing. Then the files

can be transferred to your Creator3 via USB stick, Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable.

1.1.3 Build the 3D Model:

Once the output file has been transferred to your Creator3, it will start to turn the 3D

model into a physical object by laying down layers of filament.

1.1.4 Basic 3D Printing Process：

First

Daily

Install printer Printer Unboxing

Accessories check

Filament Loading

Install software

Start software Distribute

print jobs

Print model Acquire

model

Load in

model

Adjust

model

Set printing

parameters

After print

Processing

Remove

supports

Take down

model

Creator3 User Guide | www.flashforge.com 400-699-1063

Chapter 2: About Creator3

2.1 About Your Creator3

2.1.1 Views

Front Top

Left Right

Creator3 User Guide | www.flashforge.com 400-699-1063

Back

1. USB Stick Input

2. Touch Screen

3. Touch Screen Button

4. Right Extruder

5. Left Extruder

6. Nozzle Brush

13. Left Spool Box Handle

14. Right Spool Box Cover

15. Right Spool Box Handle

16. Ethernet Cable Input

17. Power Input

18. Power Switch

7. Build Plate

8. Leveling Nut

9. X-axis Guide Rod

10. Right Filament Intake

11. Left Filament Intake

12. Left Spool Box Cover

Creator3 User Guide | www.flashforge.com 400-699-1063

2.1.2 Terms

Build Plate

The surface on which the Creator3 builds an object.

Build Tape

The blue tape that covers Creator3’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 Creator3 is 300*250*200 mm.

Leveling Nuts

Nuts under the build platform that are used for

adjusting 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 into 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.

Solid Glue Stick

A solid adhesive used for making the model stick to the

build plate firmly.

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.

Filament Cartridge

A specific box for placing FlashForge filament.

Creator3 User Guide | www.flashforge.com 400-699-1063

2.1.3 Reference

Name

Creator3

Number of Extruder

2, independently

Print Technology

Fused Filament Fabrication(FFF)

Screen Size

4.5’’ color IPS Touch Screen

Build Volume

300×250×200mm

Layer Resolution

0.05 - 0.4mm

Build Accuracy

±0.2mm

Positioning Accuracy

Z axis 0.0025mm; XY axis 0.011mm

Filament Diameter

1.75mm（±0.07mm）

Nozzle Diameter

0.4mm

Print Speed

10~200 mm/s

Software

FlashPrint

Support Formats

Input:3MF/ STL/OBJ/FPP/BMP/PNG/JPG/JPEG

Output:GX/G

Win xp/Vista/7/8/10、Mac OS、Linux

Device Size

627*485*615mm

Net Weight

40Kg

AC Input

Input: 100V-240VAC, 47-63Hz Power: 500W

Connectivity

USB Stick, WiFi, Ethernet,

Creator3 User Guide | www.flashforge.com 400-699-1063

2.1.4 Interface Menus

Build

Read the print file from

 The local memory card  The USB stick  Back

Select the target print file among the list

 Build: 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.  Back

Print interface

 Abort: To abort the print job.  Pause/Resume: To suspend or resume the

print job. Left/Right Extruder temperature:

Can be changed during printing. Platform temperature:

Can be changed during printing.

Creator3 User Guide | www.flashforge.com 400-699-1063

To set Extruder/Platform temperature during

printing:

After temperature has reached target

temperature, temperature figure will be

underlined in print interface,

Tap [Yes] to save the setting while tap [No]

to cancel the setting.

Tools in print interface Filament: To change filament during

printing. (Note: You need to suspend

printing first.) Light off:

To turn off the light during printing.  Details: To check the details interface

during printing.

Details Interface

a.Printing speed: To change printing speed

during printing by tapping the underlined

speed figure.

b.Filament used

c.Time needed

d. Z axis position

To set the printing speed during printing:

Tap [Yes] to save the setting while tap [No]

to cancel the setting.

abc

Creator3 User Guide | www.flashforge.com 400-699-1063

Preheat

Tap the [Preheat] button to enter the

preheat interface. Tap the [Start] button to

heat up to the target temperature.

The default temperature is Extruder 220℃

and Platform 100℃.

Tap the temperature display bar to set the

temperature.

Tools

Tap [Tools] to enter the tools interface .

Creator3 User Guide | www.flashforge.com 400-699-1063

Tools

Tap [Tools] to enter tools interface.

1.Filament: To load/unload the filament.

2.Level: To adjust the build plate.

3.Home: To make the X, Y and Z axes back

to the zero point.

4.Manual: To manually adjust the positions

of X, Y and Z axes.

5.Setting: To implement relevant function

setups.

6.Status: To check the real-time status of the

printer.

7.About: Information about the printer.

8.Back

Filament

1.Load

；

2.Unload

；

3.Load-Left Extruder

；

4.Load-Right Extruder

；

5.Unload-Left Extruder

；

6.Unload-Right Extruder

；

7.Begin:Tap [Begin] to start load/unload

filament on Left/Right extruder.

8.Back.

234

8 1

Creator3 User Guide | www.flashforge.com 400-699-1063

Filament Preheat

a. Left extruder preheat progress;

b. Right extruder preheat progress;

c. Actual temperature/target temperature;

d. Actual temperature/target temperature;

e. Cancel:Tap [Cancel] button to abort

preheat job.

f. Back.

g. Done: Operate according to the

instruction on the touch screen,tap [Done] to

finish filament load.

h. Done: Operate according to the

instruction on the touch screen,tap [Done] to

finish filament unload.

b c

Creator3 User Guide | www.flashforge.com 400-699-1063

Level

1. Tap [Level] to start leveling.

2. Wait while the extruder and platform

finish homing movements.

3. Tap to choose extruder adjust level:

Use Left or Right extruder to do the

leveling.

4. Wait while the extruder and platform

finish initial movements. Extruder move

to the first point to do the leveling.

5. Wait for the extruder verifying distance

between nozzle and plate.

6. Operate according to the instruction on

the touch screen, then tap [Verify].

7. Wait for the extruder verifying distance

between nozzle and plate in the first

point.

8. If the distance in the first point is

appropriate, tap [OK] to move to the

next point to do the leveling.

If the distance in the first point is not

appropriate, operate according to the

instruction on the touch screen, then tap

[Verify] again.

Repeat the steps 5 to 8 to do the next two points leveling until you see [Finish].

Tap [Finish] to complete leveling.

Note: By tapping [Next Step]，you can skip the point’s leveling, this will affect leveling result or printing effect.

2 4

Creator3 User Guide | www.flashforge.com 400-699-1063

Home

To make the X, Y and Z axes back to the

zero point.

1.Home: Tap[Home] to do the homing.

2.Wait for the extruder do the homing.

3.Homing is completed, tap[Yes].

Manual

To manually adjust the positions of X, Y and Z axes.Tap[Manual] to do the 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 descends.  Z-: The build plate elevates.  Back

Creator3 User Guide | www.flashforge.com 400-699-1063

Setting

To implement relevant function setups.

Tap [Setting] to enter the setting interface:

1. Language: To set the display language

2. WiFi: To turn on/off the WiFi

3. WLan hotspot: To turn on/off the WLan

hotspot.

4. Door Opened Pause:To turn on/off the

Door Opened Pause.

5. Door Opened Detector:To turn on/off the

Door Opened Detector.

6. Startup Sound: To turn on/off the Startup

Sound.

7. Left Filament Check: To turn on/off the

filament check on left extruder.

8. Right Filament Check: To turn on/off the

filament check on right extruder.

9. Calibration: To adjust the initial distance

between the extruder and the build plate.

10. Light Bar Control: To turn on/off the

light bar control.

11. Factory Reset: Return to factory setting.

12. Update: To update the firmware version.

Creator3 User Guide | www.flashforge.com 400-699-1063

Tap to choose the display language.

+ 53 hidden pages

Flashforge Creator 3 Service Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Content

Introduction

1.1 Process

1.1.1 Make a 3D Model:

1.1.2 Slice and Export the 3D Model:

1.1.3 Build the 3D Model:

1.1.4 Basic 3D Printing Process：

2.1 About Your Creator3