The Flashforge Creator Pro 2 is one of the best entry-level 3D printers for beginners at a cost-effective price. It’s straightforward to use and produces very good prints for both beginners and experienced users alike. Some parts are made out of plastic, but that doesn’t take away from an otherwise high-quality machine that is capable of printing with ABS plastic at resolutions as fine as 100-microns.
A common workhorse in schools, libraries, and small businesses, the Flashforge Creator Pro 2 is a great 3D printer for beginners because of its ease of setup and use. If you are looking for an inexpensive 3D printer that can deliver high-resolution prints at up to 100 microns this is the best option you will find.
Bottom Line
The Flashforge Creator Pro 2 is one of the best budget 3D printers on the market. It doesn’t have any parts made out of plastic; all metal parts ensure that it’s built to last long term. This model enables you to print with ABS filament which produces high-quality prints at resolutions as fine as 100-microns.
Although this printer lacks some of the bells and whistles that more expensive models possess, the Flashforge Creator Pro is user-friendly with intuitive controls for all types of users, regardless of experience level. The built-in camera makes it easy to monitor prints from afar so you don’t need to be around when it’s printing, which is perfect for those who like to multi-task during work hours. Overall, this machine is a good buy especially considering its price point. If you’re looking for a quality 3D printer that’s easy to use and won’t break the bank, then this printer is for you.
The Flashforge Creator Pro is a favorite 3D printer for many reasons. It’s a big machine that can print a maximum volume of 13″ x 10″ x 9″. A large build plate combined with PLA/ABS compatibility makes this machine suitable for designers and engineers alike.
The Flashforge Creator Pro is one of the best FDM printers on the market. It is great for both novice and experienced users alike because of its reliability, ease of use, high build volume, heated bed, optional dual extrusion support, and built-in camera.
Pros:
- All metal body construction ensures the Flashforge printer is built to last
- Very easy for beginners but also has advanced features that will please more experienced users
- Capable of printing high-quality ABS plastic prints at resolutions as fine as 100-microns
- Very good print quality with most 3D printing materials
- DUAL EXTRUSION available
- Easy setup; doesn’t require calibration
- Combines power and elegance in one machine (some parts are made of metal)
- Fully enclosed printing
- Low purchase cost
- Quiet operation
- Feature-rich access to settings, maintenance, and more
Cons:
- Large size can make it difficult to find a suitable location to keep this 3D printer
- No dedicated software from the manufacturer means you have to use third-party programs. If you are not familiar with these types of applications, it may be challenging to learn how to use them.
Product Description
The Flashforge Creator Pro 2 is a large 3D printer that offers all-metal construction and an easy setup. It utilizes a proprietary system for creating prints and doesn’t have a dedicated software program. This machine is capable of producing very high-quality ABS plastic prints at resolutions as fine as 100-microns.
The Flashforge Creator Pro features a 4.3-inch color LCD touchscreen display with intuitive controls for easy operation. The controller is also Bluetooth enabled so you can monitor your printer anywhere in the house using your smartphone or tablet’s internet connection.
The Flashforge Creator Pro uses 1.75mm PLA/ABS filament and the heated bed is always a nice feature to have, even for PLA prints. This machine also has auto-leveling and auto-calibration for increased ease of use and accuracy. Additionally, this printer is compatible with MakerBot filament. They’re both under the same parent company, WANHAO.
Who It’s For
The Flashforge Creator Pro 2 is suitable for schools, libraries, and small businesses due to its ease of use and large size. If you’re looking to buy your first 3D printer this is one of the best entry-level options because it offers all-metal construction and precise printing which helps novice users to make professional-quality models with ease.
Designers, engineers, teachers, students, or anyone looking for a reliable 3D printer that can handle large print volumes will appreciate this printer.
The FlashForge Creator Pro 2 is a good option for those already familiar with using 3D printing software who are looking to get their feet wet without breaking the bank. This machine will appeal to hobbyists, tinkerers, and at-home users.
This is affordable when compared to other high ends like the Ultimaker 2 Extended, but it doesn’t print quite as large.
Design & Features
The Flashforge Creator Pro 2 isn’t too heavy for a 3D printer but it may be a bit much if you need portability. There are lots of components to fit and the manufacturer keeps things as simple as possible by not including a dedicated software program. You can independently download free programs for this model or you can buy FlashPrint which is a proprietary application that comes pre-loaded with the printer. The machine has an open-frame design and support is included for both PLA and ABS filament types.
Flashforge has made improvements to the original Creator Pro design by hiding the control box inside of the printer for increased safety during prints. The printer’s shell also now has more durable protection on its sides, so you won’t need to worry about paper clips and other objects getting stuck in there like they used to with older models.
Some parts are made of metal, 200 to 500-micron layer resolutions, use open-source Cura software by FlashForge, compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac, for slicing model management and printer host functions.
The Creator Pro 2 is a 3D Printer that comes with advanced features like dual extrusion capabilities as well as an open-source Linux operating system board. This makes it a great choice for beginners and experts alike.
The Flashforge Creator Pro 2 is fully enclosed in plastic, allowing you to print ABS filament which can warp if exposed to humidity. It has dual extruders which allow you to seamlessly switch between two colors or types of material. You’ll find that all of this printer’s features are accessible right from the control panel, including an auto-leveling feature for both the X and Y axes, temperature settings, and filament management. The machine is powered by an open-source software called ReplicatorG.
This is an excellent 3D printer. It’s similar to other printers on the market but features some better qualities like easy setup and dual extrusion capabilities. If you’re looking for a printer that will give you high-quality prints and some more advanced features, then the Flashforge Creator Pro 2 is worth your attention.
The Flashforge Creator Pro 2 arrives fully assembled, so it’s ready to go straight out of the box. There is an SD card slot for you to load designs and there are both USB and wireless connections available for how you want to connect to your computer. It also has Wi-Fi capabilities built-in, so you can access it wirelessly or use a memory card if you prefer.
There are a variety of features that make this printer stand out from the crowd. To start with, it’s capable of dual extrusion or more colors for your prints without too much trouble. If you want to use ABS for printing, then you don’t have to heat the entire printer as its hot end will reach 100 degrees C (212 degrees F). The Flashforge Creator Pro 2 also has a large build area which is 200 x 150 x 180 millimeters and it uses 0.4-millimeter precision for its hot-end.
The overall consensus seems to be that this printer is excellent, with little assembly required before you can use it. It’s worth your attention if you’re looking for an easy-to-use printer that features some advanced features like dual extrusion capabilities.
Filament & Setup
There’s no need to use any calibration tools due to the auto-leveling feature of this 3D printer; it senses when the print bed needs adjustment and will make those adjustments itself. The filament cartridges are very easy to attach, remove, and swap out thanks to the quick loading mechanism they utilize. The printer setup takes just 15 minutes thanks to an easy assembly process and a well-written manual.
This machine uses ABS or PLA filament with a diameter of 1.75mm. Although Flashforge recommends using PLA filament with this machine, you may have great success printing with ABS filament as well. The Creality CR-10 uses 1.75mm PLA filament as well, so you can take advantage of the same filaments if you own one of those printers too.
The Flashforge Creator Pro can be set up in about an hour or less, even by novice users. The printer includes a USB cable for connecting to your computer and an SD memory card that will allow you to print files directly from the printer without hooking it up to a computer. Many people prefer this method because it’s easier than having to transfer my 3D models onto an SD card every time they want to use the machine, which is what other machines require.
Software
One of Flashforge’s best selling points is its all-metal construction and large build volume, but there is no dedicated software program from the manufacturer; instead, you can independently download free programs or buy FlashPrint which comes pre-loaded on the printer. Some novice users may be overwhelmed by this arrangement as they will have to learn how to use new software, but if you do not need third-party apps then it’s worth considering because there are no limits on what you can print with this 3D printer.
Print Quality & Performance
The Flashforge Creator Pro 2 excels at producing very high-quality prints in a wide range of settings and applications. It can efficiently create detailed prototypes for product design, small figures, miniature vases, and unique decorative models. This model runs quietly thanks to its cold-moving design which makes it suitable for libraries or schools.
When it comes down to print and performance, there are almost no complaints to be had with this machine. When tested by printing a MakerGear Pegasus Gear Box, it comes out perfect. You don’t have to do any post-processing or sanding at all because the print surface was already well coated from previous prints. This is not always the case with non-DIY 3D printers, so the quality of prints you’ll get from this unit is an improvement over other less expensive brands.
Many users have found the Flashforge Creator Pro 2 makes good prints, though there are some reports of failed prints linked to the auto-leveling feature. If you’re looking to print objects with overhangs or very fine details, this printer should be able to handle them with ease.
Safety & Noise
The Flashforge Creator Pro 2 has a print bed made of aluminum which enables fast heating of new filament rolls; this is helpful for users who need to make multiple prints without restocking the printer with spooled material. Safety features include automatic shutdown if there’s an error during printing or if the extruder gets too hot due to improper venting, plus you can pause your job mid-stream if needed.
This printer is fully enclosed for safety purposes, but it does make some noise during operation. Make sure to position your printer away from the walls if you don’t want a loud whirring sound coming through your wall.
Fully encased in plastic, the FlashForge Creator Pro 2 is safe for children and adults alike. The enclosed design will also help keep noise levels down.
Connectivity
There are USB 2.0 and SD card ports included on this 3D printer so you don’t have to keep it tethered to a computer when in use. Like most other 3D printers on the market, the FlashForge Creator Pro 2 connects to your computer via USB.
Hello, my name’s Rush Chapman. I’m a 3D printing enthusiast. I started this site to help people choose 3D printing projects and select the best 3D printer for your needs, whether you’re a hobbyist or a pro!
