The Flashforge Adventurer 3 Review: Easy, Fast Printing

Verdict

The FlashForge Adventurer 3 was ready for use right out of the package.I was able to get things going very quickly. Although the FlashPrint software could use some more instructions, there are so many YouTube tutorials to help you figure things out. When I printed the test cube, it came out perfectly on the first print. However, if there are multiple objects on the platform, you will observe excessive stringing.

I primarily use PLA filament. It’s a great buy if you’re looking for a ready-to-go printer. With this, you can print with ease, just ensuring that it’s on the level and the nozzle is appropriately calibrated. Truly a plug-and-play option- out of the box, it just prints pretty high quality.

Example Prints

Overview

The Flashforge Adventurer 3 is a personal 3D printer that was created with portability in mind. It has a print volume of 5.5 liters, which is about one liter smaller than most 3D printers on the market today. That being said, it’s still quite large for something you can carry around when folded up. The entire unit weighs around 19.85 pounds, which is about half the weight of most 3D printers.

This is a great printer for those wanting to make small print jobs on the go. It has a large build volume and prints using both PLA and ABS filament (1.75mm). The software included with the Flashforge Adventurer 3 is also very intuitive, making initial setup and future upgrades a breeze.

Pros & Cons

Where To Buy

The Adventurer 3 is a truly portable 3D printer. It only weighs about 19.85 pounds total, making it easy to carry around with you on the go. This printer has a compact design that’s great for traveling and can be easily packed up when not in use.

Flashforge was able to create such an aesthetically pleasing design because there aren’t any unnecessary parts of the printer. It has a completely enclosed print area, which will help keep ABS prints from warping during the printing process. The printer also comes with a lid (that doubles as a plate to place your printed object on) and folding legs for portability.

When folded up, this model is about 388*340*405mm. That makes it one of the more compact 3D printers on the market right now. If you’re traveling and need somewhere to put your printer, then you can easily fit this in most drawers or closets.

The Flashforge Adventurer 3 comes with a heated PLA/ABS print bed and can be used with both 1.75 mm ABS and PLA filaments. It also supports Windows XP or later operating systems, Mac OS X 10.8 or later as well as Linux Ubuntu 12x 32-bit version. You are now able to create high-quality prints using dual Z-axis lead screws resulting in better print precision compared to previous models of Adventurer printers from Flashforge.

This specific model is upgradeable so you’ll always have the newest version of Flashforge’s software. This makes future upgrades easy and painless because all you have to do is download the software from their website and install it on your computer.

There are two resets buttons on this printer, one for the extruder and one for the motherboard. If you ever run into an issue where the printer isn’t responding to any of your commands, just give it a reset and try again. Something to keep in mind is that this model doesn’t automatically load filament when you first turn it on, so be sure to do that yourself before sending an actual print job. This will ensure that your first layers stick well and prevent errors during printing.

Who It’s For

A great entry-level 3D printer, it’s best suited for individual users who are looking into getting into 3D printing, either in school or as a hobbyist.

This printer is best suited for individuals who are looking to get into 3D printing, whether it is in the school setting or as a hobbyist. It’s also perfect for parents looking to purchase their kids their first 3D printers for them to experiment with.

This is a great printer for those wanting to make small print jobs on the go. It has a large build volume and prints using both PLA and ABS filament (1.75mm). The software included with the Flashforge Adventurer 3 is also very intuitive, making initial setup and future upgrades a breeze.

Design & Features

The Flashforge Adventurer 3 uses open source software and is compatible with Windows, Mac OSX, and Linux OS’. This machine can print models up to 20 times larger than FDM printers at similar prices. The extruder on this printer also stays cool during operation so your hands never have to touch it when you’re loading or unloading filament.

The Flashforge Adventurer 3 has a diagonal build volume of 388*340*405mm and weighs about 19.85 pounds. It can print in both PLA and ABS filament (1.75mm) using open-source software, which makes upgrading easy to do on your own when you want to try out new features. Another upgradeable part is this model’s extruder, meaning you’ll always have the newest version of their software.

The build volume of 15.3*13.4*16 inches allows you to print smaller objects at once before having to move on to your larger prints while not compromising on any details during production. This printer also supports dual extrusion which means you can use two different filaments when creating your prints.

Software The Adventurer 3 uses open-source slicer software called CuraEngine that’s compatible with Windows, Mac & Linux operating systems. This version works well for smaller prints because it automatically adjusts speeds for optimal results depending on how much material you’re working with at any given time. After slicing the model into layers, CuraEngine will send them to the printer via a USB 2.0 connection.

Filament & Setup

The Flashforge Adventurer 3 works with both PLA and ABS filament (1.75mm), which makes this model very versatile in terms of what you can print with it. The best part about using open source printer software is that there are tons of options available online, making it easy to find exactly what you need for your projects.

Flashforge recommends PLA filament for this printer. Other types of filaments may be used; however, not all filaments are compatible with them. It also comes with a microSD card where you can store the 3D models that you want to be printed out on the printer. You can then print it directly off the MicroSD without having to connect the printer online or save it on an external hard drive.

When printing in ABS, make sure to keep the enclosure closed so the heat doesn’t warp the material while it’s cooling down after extrusion. That way you can get highly detailed results with this machine even when working with difficult prints like overhangs or very thin structures.

Software

Flashforge has its proprietary software called Flashprint. This allows you to control your prints in one single interface and gives you more freedom when printing compared to other proprietary software like Makerbot.

The Adventurer 3 also comes with open-source printing software called CuraEngine, which works for both Windows and Mac OSX. It’s compatible with Linux systems as well, though you’ll have to download the mac version of CuraEngine from their website. This latest version has an “Expert mode” feature that allows you to manually adjust speeds for optimal results depending on how much material you’re working with at any given time. The start-up wizard will also ask what type of filament you’re using so it can set all the correct temperatures related to the print job before sending it over via USB 2.0 connection.

Print Quality & Performance

If you’re looking for a 3D printer that’s extremely accurate when it comes to printing quality, then the Adventurer is not what you’re after. This machine’s print accuracy can be greatly improved with a better print surface and more consistent extrusion (through making sure there isn’t too much tension on filament), but in most cases, it won’t automatically level the build plate or change nozzle height during initial calibration. You’ll need to make those adjustments manually or through another piece of software like Simplify3D if you want prints with high definition and sharp finishing details.

The CuraEngine settings included with this model are designed to work best with PLA filament, so you’ll have trouble getting satisfactory results if you use ABS filament. You can get better print quality out of this model by using their proprietary slicer software called FlashPrint. It has a built-in support generator and will automatically adjust speeds depending on how much material you’re working with.

Flashprint also includes several advanced settings that can be used to maximize print quality when printing ABS or Nylon filaments. For example, the “cooling” section of the advanced settings menu allows you to manually set fan speeds depending on which layer of your printed object is being printed at any given time (which will help prevent warping).

Always use a heatbed to get successful prints off this model because it doesn’t come with one included. It’s best to use low-tack adhesive sheets if you’re going to be removing your prints from the bed often, as high tack adhesive sheets tend to leave a sticky residue that may deform the print or damage the heatbed. This model has no issues with warped layers or uneven lines during printing because it is equipped with a cooling fan that will speed up as necessary for different types of models.

The build volume will allow users to create objects up to 7 inches tall depending on what they are trying to print out. It comes with a 0.1-0.4 mm layer resolution meaning it can print out fine details while still leaving your object sturdy and strong enough to survive wear and tear while out in the real world.

Safety and Noise

With almost all 3D printers, you will need to take certain precautions when operating them for safety reasons which include wearing protective eyewear. The Adventurer 3 is no exception to this rule as it can get fairly loud depending on what type of materials you are printing from at the time which ranges from being 45 decibels low with PLA filament to 55 decibels with ABS filament.

The Flashforge Adventurer 3 is best used in small or medium-sized groups because it tends to make a lot of noise when active. You can also remove the outer shell for this model to reduce noise if you need a quieter workspace, but make sure not to block any vents while doing so.

Connectivity

To be able to use it via USB, you will need Windows XP or later versions, Mac OS X 10.8 or later as well as Linux Ubuntu 12x 32-bit version. You will also need a minimum of 2GB RAM and an internet connection to be able to use it because you will need Flashprint to control your printer.