Flashforge Invertor II User Manual

FlashForge Corporation

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

FlashForge InventorⅡ 3D Printer

User Guide

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

Content

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

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

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

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

Chapter 2: About InventorⅡ.........................................................................................10

2.1 About Your InventorⅡ.................................................................................... 10

Chapter 3：Unpacking................................................................................................. 20

Chapter 4: Hardware Assembly.................................................................................... 24

4.1 Filament Installation........................................................................................ 24

4.2 Printer Start-up.................................................................................................25

4.3 Loading Filament.............................................................................................25

4.4 Unloading Filament.........................................................................................27

Chapter 5: Build Plate Leveling.................................................................................... 29

Chapter 6: About Software............................................................................................32

6.1 Software Installation........................................................................................ 32

6.2 Exploring FlashPrint........................................................................................ 32

Chapter 7: Basic Printing.............................................................................................. 56

7.1 Generate a Gcode.............................................................................................56

7.2 Print Methods...................................................................................................58

Chapter 8: Supports and Service................................................................................... 62

InventorⅡ 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

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 InventorⅡ User Guide is designed for the InventorⅡ users to start

their printing journey with FlashForge InventorⅡ. 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 InventorⅡ 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:

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.

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

Introduction

Notes

：

The FlashForge InventorⅡ3D 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 InventorⅡ3D Printer User Guide carefully before use.

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

·The version of the FlashPrint is latest.

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

Notice

Safety Notice

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

FlashForge InventorⅡ 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 InventorⅡ in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust.

③ Keep InventorⅡ out of children and untrained people’s reach.

· Electrical Safety

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

InventorⅡplug.

② Do not use InventorⅡ in damp or wet locations. Do not expose InventorⅡ 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.

②

Do not touch the nozzle after finishing printing.

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

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.

· 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.

InventorⅡ 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 filament until necessary. 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

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, and (2)

this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may

cause undesired operation.

This document contains proprietary information protected by copyright.

InventorⅡ 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 InventorⅡuses. 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.

InventorⅡ 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.

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 InventorⅡ.

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

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

1.1.3 Build the 3D Model:

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

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

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

Chapter 2: About InventorⅡ

2.1 About Your InventorⅡ

2.1.1 Views

Front Top

Right Back

1. Touch screen

2. Touch screen button

3. Nozzle

4. Z-axis guide rod

5. Build plate

11. Spring presser

12. USB stick input

13. USB cable input

14. Power input

6. Leveling knob

7. Filament cartridge

8. Extruder

9. Filament intake

10. X-axis guide rod

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

2.1.2 Terms

Build Plate

The surface on which the InventorⅡ builds an object.

Build Tape

The blue tape that covers InventorⅡ’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 InventorⅡis 150*140*140mm.

Leveling Knobs

Knobs 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 black plastic piece that guides the filament from the

filament box to the filament intake.

Filament Cartridge

A specific box for placing FlashForge filament.

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.

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

2.1.3 Reference

Name

Inventor

Ⅱ

Number of Extruder

Print Technology

Fused Filament Fabrication(FFF)

Screen Size

3.5’’ color IPS Touch Screen

Build Volume

150×140×140mm

Layer Resolution

0.1 - 0.4mm

Build Accuracy

±0.1mm

Positioning Accuracy

Z axis 0.0025mm; XY axis 0.011mm

Filament Diameter

1.75mm（±0.07

）

Nozzle Diameter

0.4mm

Build 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

420*420*420mm

Net Weight

11.7Kg

AC Input

Input:100V-240VAC, 50-60Hz Power: 65W

Connectivity

USB cable, USB stick, WiFi

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

2.1.4 Interface Menus

Build

Read the print file from

 The internal memory  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

internal memory )

 Delete: To delete the print file  Back

Print interface

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

printing job.  More: To change filament and set up auto

shutdown after printing.

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

More in print interface  Filament: To change filament during

printing.

(Note: You need to suspend the operation

first)  Finish-Shutdown: To start auto shutdown

after finishing printing  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 220℃.

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.

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

The picture displays the preheat interface. It

shows the actual temperature and the target

temperature. Tap the [Cancel] button to

abort the preheat job.

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.  Back

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.  Back

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

Tap [Setting] to enter the setting

interface

 Language: To set the display language  WiFi: To turn on/off the WiFi  WLan hotspot: To turn on/off the

WLan hotspot.  Extruder Calibration: To adjust the

initial distance between the extruder and

the build plate.  Filament Check: To turn on/off the

filament check  Door Opened Pause: To turn on/off

the function of door pause  Factory Reset ： Return to factory

setting  Update: To update the firmware

version. Back

WiFi:  Turn on WiFi: Turn on the WiFi,

release the WiFi hotspot and set the WiFi

on computer Back

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

WLan hotspot

 OFF/On: To turn on/off the Wlan

hotspot.

Setup Wlan hotspot: To set the SSID and

password.

SSID: The name of hotspot.

Password: The password of hotspot.

Save: To save the setting.

Back

Extruder 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.

Status:

It displays the real-time status of the

extruder temperature, fan and filament.

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

About:

It displays the basic information about

the device.

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

2.2 Accessories

Filament*1 Power Adapter Power Cable USB Cable

Filament Guide Tube Quick Start Guide USB Stick Screwdriver

Allen Wrench Solid Glue Stamping Wrench Unclogging Pin Tool

Lid After-sale Service Card PTFE Tube Grease

+ 44 hidden pages

Flashforge Invertor II User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual