Published on Fri Aug 21 2020 12:54:27 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by Alex

FlashForge Adventurer 5M: A Detailed Look at a High-Speed 3D Printing Contender

The FlashForge Adventurer 5M is making waves in the 3D printing community, promising a potent combination of speed, ease of use, and reliability. This review dives deep into its features, providing detailed specifications, practical usage tips, and a comprehensive assessment of its overall performance.

Unboxing and First Impressions

The Adventurer 5M arrives well-packaged, ensuring all components are secure during transit. The unboxing experience is straightforward, with clearly labeled parts and an intuitive setup process. You’ll find the printer itself, a power cable, spool holder, some sample filament, a nozzle cleaning tool, a scraper, and a USB drive containing the user manual and slicing software. The initial impression is one of quality, with a sturdy frame and a well-constructed enclosure.

Specifications

Here’s a breakdown of the key specifications for the FlashForge Adventurer 5M:

• Printing Technology: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
• Build Volume: 220 x 220 x 220 mm (8.66 x 8.66 x 8.66 inches)
• Nozzle Diameter: 0.4 mm (replaceable)
• Maximum Nozzle Temperature: 280°C (536°F)
• Maximum Bed Temperature: 110°C (230°F)
• Print Speed: Up to 600 mm/s (claimed)
• Acceleration: Up to 20000 mm/s² (claimed)
• Supported Filament Diameters: 1.75 mm
• Supported Materials: PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, ASA, PA, PC, Carbon Fiber filled filaments (with appropriate nozzle)
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB Drive
• Operating System: Touchscreen interface with integrated firmware
• Slicing Software: FlashPrint (included) or compatible with Cura, Simplify3D, etc.
• Frame: Enclosed
• Bed Leveling: Automatic bed leveling
• Filament Sensor: Yes (detects filament runout)
• Power Supply: Internal
• Dimensions: 400 x 410 x 460 mm
• Weight: Approximately 16 kg

Key Features and Functionality

The Adventurer 5M boasts several features that contribute to its user-friendly experience and high-speed printing capabilities:

• Fully Enclosed Design: The enclosed design helps maintain a consistent temperature, crucial for printing materials like ABS and ASA that are prone to warping. It also reduces noise and contains fumes.

• Automatic Bed Leveling: The automatic bed leveling system takes the guesswork out of ensuring a perfectly level print surface. It probes multiple points on the bed before each print to create a mesh that compensates for any minor imperfections.

• High-Speed Printing: The printer is designed for fast printing speeds, with a rigid frame and a powerful motion system. While achieving the maximum claimed speed might require fine-tuning and specific material settings, it can significantly reduce print times compared to traditional FDM printers.

• Quick-Swap Nozzle System: The nozzle can be easily replaced, allowing for quick changes between different nozzle sizes and materials. This is especially useful for printing with abrasive filaments like carbon fiber-filled materials.

• Integrated Filament Sensor: The filament sensor automatically pauses the print if it detects that the filament has run out, preventing wasted prints.

• User-Friendly Interface: The touchscreen interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, providing access to all the printer’s settings and functions.

• Filament Compatibility: While optimized for common materials like PLA, ABS, and PETG, the Adventurer 5M can also handle more demanding filaments like nylon and polycarbonate with appropriate adjustments to temperature and print settings.

Usage Tips for Optimal Results

To get the most out of your FlashForge Adventurer 5M, consider these usage tips:

• Calibration is Key: While the auto-leveling feature is helpful, it’s still recommended to perform a manual calibration occasionally, especially after moving the printer or making significant changes to the bed surface.

• Experiment with Slicing Settings: The included FlashPrint software is a good starting point, but exploring advanced slicing parameters like retraction settings, layer height, and infill patterns can significantly improve print quality and speed.

• Optimize Filament Settings: Each filament type has its own optimal printing temperature and speed. Consult the filament manufacturer’s recommendations and experiment to find the settings that work best for your specific brand and color.

• Consider Bed Adhesion: For materials like ABS and ASA, using a bed adhesive like glue stick or hairspray can improve adhesion and prevent warping.

• Keep the Nozzle Clean: Regularly clean the nozzle to prevent clogs and ensure consistent filament extrusion. The included nozzle cleaning tool is helpful for this.

• Monitor Prints: Even with a reliable printer, it’s always a good idea to monitor the first few layers of a print to ensure everything is going smoothly.

• Upgrade the Nozzle: If you plan to print with abrasive filaments, it is suggested to upgrade to a hardened steel nozzle.

Performance Evaluation

Here’s my rating of the FlashForge Adventurer 5M based on various key performance indicators, all out of 10:

• Print Quality: 8.5
• Build Volume: 7
• Printing Speed: 9
• Material Compatibility: 8
• Bed Adhesion & Leveling: 9
• Reliability: 8
• Ease of Use: 9
• Firmware and Software: 8
• Connectivity Options: 7
• Build Quality & Durability: 8.5
• Noise Level: 7.5
• Maintenance Requirements: 8
• Customer Support: 7
• Upgradeability: 6
• Price to Performance Ratio: 8

Average Score: 7.83

Conclusion

The FlashForge Adventurer 5M offers a compelling package for users seeking a high-speed, enclosed 3D printer with a focus on ease of use. Its automatic bed leveling, quick-swap nozzle system, and user-friendly interface make it accessible to beginners, while its high-speed printing capabilities and material compatibility cater to more experienced users. While the print quality and reliability are good, areas like upgradeability and customer support could use some improvement. Overall, it provides a very solid price-to-performance ratio for its speed and functionality.

Written by Alex