Read our Flashforge Adventurer 3 review to find out what the printer has to offer in terms of features, performance, and specs. We also look at some potential problems you should be aware of before buying this printer.
Today’s 3D printer review focuses on the Flashforge Adventurer 3.
Let’s start with some background information.
FLASHFORGE is a Chinese company officially known as Zhejiang Flashforge 3D Technology Co., Ltd.
The company was established in 2011 and, today, is one of the largest 3D printer manufacturing companies in the world. The brand’s printers are renowned for their reliability and excellent value for money.
Flashforge doesn’t sell kits but only complete devices. As a result, it’s printers come at a higher price range, but still affordable for private hobby users.
The Adventurer 3 is also available in several OEM versions, as the Bresser Rex , which is mostly sold in Europe and the Makerbot Sketch. The 3D printing pioneer, Makerbot, probably no longer manufactures 3D printers.
In a nutshell, this is a fully assembled, completely closed, small 3D printer that is aimed at private users who don’t want to tinker but just start printing. Moreover, due to its enclosed nature, it is a good 3D printer for schools.
Flashforge Adventurer 3 Review
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Flashforge Adventurer 3 Specs
| Characteristic | Value |
| Manufacturer | FlashForge |
| Thread diameter | 1.75 mm |
| Material type | ABS (ABS), PLA (PLA) |
| Plot area size | 150 x 150 x 150mm |
| Body material | ABS / PC |
| Number of extruders (printheads) | one |
| Site heating temperature | Max. 100°C |
| Layer thickness | 0.1 – 0.4 mm |
| Winding type | Coil |
| Nozzle diameter (mm) | 0.4 |
| Extruder operating temperature | from 20°C to 220°C |
| Print speed | Up to 100 mm/s |
| Display | 2.8-inch touchscreen display |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Connection interface | Ethernet, USB, Wi-Fi |
| Software | FlashPrint |
| OS | Linux, Mac OSX, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows XP |
| Supported file formats | STL, OBJ |
| Weight (without packaging) | 9 kg |
| Noise during operation | 45 dBA |
| Dimensions (without packaging) | 388 x 380 x 405mm |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Warranty | 12 months |
According to the manufacturer, Flashforge Adventurer 3 is capable of printing with ABS plastic. However, with a maximum nozzle temperature of 220°C, not every ABS plastic ca be printed. Instead, the printer can handle only low low-temperature ABS filaments.
What’s in the Box?
The complete set of the printer is not very different from what we are used to. You will get everything you need to start printing. Apart from the printer, you get the following items in the box:
- Screwdriver
- Grease sachet
- Extruder cleaning rod
- Plastic coil 300 gm
- Power cable
- A small instruction manual for the first launch
Appearance
The FlashForge Adventurer 3 is a budget 3D printer that contains various functions, some that are not often available even in much more expensive models. In our opinion, this is the first attempt to make an affordable printer with the maximum set of options.
The Adventurer 3 is a small and compact closed-body printer. Three sides of the body are transparent. Therefore, it is easy to observe the printing process.
On the right side, there is a cover that opens the recess for the plastic spool.
Not every filament spool fits in this space. For example, our 1Kg ESUNs didn’t fit. However, you can place the spool next to the printer without much trouble.
Construction
The printer is controlled using a small touchscreen display.
The sensor is very responsive. The icons are clear and self-explanatory that even a beginner will not get confused with the menu.
The printer’s kinematics is a miniature copy of the famous Prusa. There are 2 small trapezoidal screws on the Z-axis.
The heated table has a special sticker that helps to improve adhesion when printing. The platform is removable, which makes it easier to remove the finished models.
The extruder is compact, non-separable and easy to detach. You can easily clamp it with 2 clips on the sides and remove it. You won’t even have to unload the filament.
The nozzle is hidden in a plastic cover. This makes the extruder non-detachable. However, it also prevents you from burning yourself should you accidentally touch the extruder.
Below, next to the nozzle on the extruder, there are 2 small LEDs to illuminate the model during printing. The resulting light is more than enough to view the printing process.
A bowden plastic feeding system is used for the extruder.
On the side of the body, there is a motor with a filament sensor. If the filament runs out, the printer will automatically pause printing and stop running.
Despite the outer minimalism, many interesting and useful “chips” were added to the printer. Examples include Wi-Fi, the ability to print from the cloud, and a small camera inside.
Slicer
The familiar FlashPrint is the slicer used for the printer. The slicer comes with ready-made profiles for the printer.
The ready-made profiles provide all the necessary settings. However, if you need additional, finer settings, you can turn on Expert Mode.
The slicer retains such convenient functions as the ability to edit supports, the ability to “cut” a large model and convert pictures into volumetric bas-reliefs, among others.
Calibrating the Flashforge Adventurer 3
Before you start printing, you need to calibrate the Flashforge Adventurer 3.
The calibration is very simple. Simply go to the calibration menu and the printer, after determining the zeros, will lower the extruder into the table.
Using the arrows, lower or raise the extruder so that it slightly touches the table, and then click OK. From there, the calibration will be completed.
The plane of the printing table is not adjustable. Therefore, it cannot be perfectly flat. A very small convex lick forms in the center. But this unevenness is easily compensated by the raft stamp under the model.
Next, load the plastic. Our large filament spool didn’t fit into the printer. Therefore, we had to come up with a mount. We simply built this wooden stand:
After successful calibration, the printer is ready to print.
A huge plus that the 3D printer has a wireless connection. Files can be sent via Wi-Fi, downloaded from the Flashforge cloud, or using a regular USB flash drive.
Quality of Print
First, we launched a test print of small models. We choose these toothy piranha clothespins:
- Filament: PLA ESUN
- Layer height: 0.18
- Printing time for 2 fish is about 30 – 40 minutes.
From there, we made a bigger model – a flower pot in the form of a rocket.
- Layer height: 0.18
- Printing time: 8 hours
The printer does not “strip” along the Z-axis. The layers are laid flat and neatly.
However, because of the bowden feed, the model turns out to be “hairy” in some places. The good news is that the hairs can be quickly and easily removed with an ordinary knife or cutter. You can also correct the “hairs” using the retract settings in Expert Mode.
Here are some more models we printed using the Flashforge Adventurer 3:
Rocket. Layer 0.12.
Unusual Easter egg. Layer 0.18.
Little Lego – (Maniac Jason) PLA ESUN layer from 0.08 to 0.12
Conclusion
The Flashforge Adventurer 3 stands out with its design and nice little things. Thanks to the LEDs on the extruder and the transparent sides, the printer provides an excellent overview of the printing process. Even if you are in a different place, you will be able to observe how your model is printed on the video camera.
The printer setup does not require any special skills, and the proprietary FlashPrint software provides a wide range of settings.
However, we wouldn’t recommend this printer for a seasoned 3D printing enthusiast or for small batch 3D printing. Rather, it will be much more appropriate in a children’s room or in a school office. The 3D printer is small, simple and safe to use. However, it is reliable and has the necessary set of functions.
Flashforge Adventurer 3 will be a great gift for a child or novice 3D printer.
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