FLASHFORGE Creator 4 FDM 3D Printer Instruction Manual

FLASHFORGE Creator 4 FDM 3D Printer

Specifications

• Model: Flashforge FDM Machines Creator 4
• Maintenance Cycle: Regular maintenance is required

Product Information

• The Flashforge FDM Machines Creator 4 is a high-quality FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) machine designed for 3D printing. It offers excellent printing precision and reliability, making it suitable for various applications.

Product Usage Instructions

Cleaning the Machine

After each printing session, it is essential to clean the machine to ensure optimal performance. Follow these steps:

1. Remove the printed model from the platform immediately.
2. Clean up any filament residue and model residue inside the machine.
3. Clean the bearing of the guide rail to ensure smooth movement.
4. Empty the red box before running the printer.
5. Ensure that no materials or items are placed under the platform.

Nozzle/PTFE Pipe Maintenance

• To maintain the nozzle and PTFE pipe, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines provided in the user manual.

Wire Feed Gear Cleaning

Over time, filament dust may accumulate in the gaps of the wire feed gear and idler gear, affecting wire feeding force and extrusion stability. Regular cleaning is necessary:

1. Manually turn the gears to clean the filament dust.

Cleaning of Nozzle Cooling Fan and Turbo Fan

The cooling fan and turbofan may accumulate dust over time, which can affect their performance. Follow these steps for cleaning:

1. Power off the printer.
2. Remove the fan.
3. Use a brush or high-pressure air gun to remove the dust from the fan blades.
4. If the fan rotates abnormally or the blades are damaged, replace them.

Clean and Lubricate Linear Bearing/Lead Rod/Linear Guide Rail

• Cleaning of Linear Bearing
• Tools needed: Dust-free cloth, grease

Cleaning method:

• Move the extruder to the rightmost (or leftmost) position.
• Wipe the linear bearing with a dust-free cloth in a single direction until it is clean.
• Add a little grease to the linear bearing and push the extruder around 3-5 times to evenly coat the axis bearing.

Cleaning of Lead Rod

Tools needed: Dust-free cloth, grease

Cleaning method:

• Use a dust-free cloth to wipe off any dirt powder and old grease from the lead rod.
• Add a little grease to the lead rod.
• Move the platform up and down for 3-5 times to evenly coat the lead rod with grease.

Cleaning of Linear Guide Rail

Tools needed: Dust-free cloth, grease

Cleaning method

• Move the print platform to the top (or bottom) to access the linear guide rail.
• Wipe the linear guide rail with a dust-free cloth in a single direction until it is clean.
• Add a little grease to the linear guide rail.
• Move the platform up and down for 3-5 times to evenly coat the guide rail with grease.

Note: The cleaning cycle for linear bearing, lead rod, and linear guide rail is once every 3 months. Use white colour lithium grease No.2 for lubrication.

Replace the HEPA Filter Cotton

If your model is equipped with a HEPA filter cotton, it needs to be replaced regularly:

• Replacement cycle: every 3 months (frequent use) or every 6 months (use within 2 days a week).
• Clean the fans by brushing off the dust from the blades to ensure smooth rotation.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

• Q: How often should I clean the machine?
• A: The machine should be cleaned after each printing session to ensure optimal performance.
• Q: What should I do if the fan blades are damaged?
• A: If the fan blades are damaged, they should be replaced promptly to maintain proper cooling and air output.
• Q: Can I use any type of grease for lubrication?
• A: It is recommended to use white-coloured lithium grease No.2 for lubricating the linear bearing, lead rod, and linear guide rail.

Maintenance Instructions of Flashforge FDM Machines

• FDM machines need to be maintained on time regularly. Accurate and timely maintenance can avoid machine failures and printing problems effectively.
• The following is the description of maintenance items and the maintenance cycle of Flashforge FDM machines:

Cleaning the machine
After printing, the machine shall be cleaned every time as follows：

1. Remove the model from the platform in time
2. Clean up the filament residue and the model residue inside the machine.
3. Clean up the foreign matter on the bearing of the guide rail, to make sure it can move smoothly without any sticking.

• Empty the red box before the printer runs

• Ensure it is clean and free of foreign matter in the following 7 parts

• No materials or items were placed under the platform

Nozzle/PTFE pipe maintenance

• It is recommended to exit the filament out of the nozzle if the printer is not used for a long time.
• And filament inside needs to be extruded with the unclogging pin tool.
• If there is a residual filament, it will cause nozzle blockage after heating carbonization.
• Normally we can clean it with the unclogging pin tool first. If the cleaning effect is not good, the nozzle and PTFE pipe need to be replaced.
• Cleaning cycle： every 200 printing hours or the nozzle has been blocked.
• Replacement cycle： every 400 printing hours or the effect of coming out filament is not good.
• If it is difficult to replace the nozzle and PTFE pipe separately, it is recommended to replace the heating assembly.

Wire feed gear cleaning

• There will be residual filament dust in the gaps of the wire feed gear and idler gear after a long time of use.
• When the dust reaches a certain amount, it will lead to insufficient wire feeding force, wire feeding slip and unstable extrusion, so the gears need to be cleaned regularly.
• When cleaning, you can turn the gears manually to clean the filament dust.

Cleaning of nozzle cooling fan and turbofan

• There will be dust on the fan blades of the cooling fan and the turbofan after a period of use.
• It will influence the rotating speed and air output. You can use a brush or a high-pressure air gun to remove dust after the fan is taken down when the printer is powered off.
• Cleaning cycle： every 1000 hours.
• Replacement cycle: If the fan rotates abnormally or the blades are damaged, replace them in time.

Clean and lubricate linear bearing/lead rod/linear guide rail

• Cleaning of linear bearing
• Tools：dust-free cloth, grease
• Cleaning method： first move the extruder to the rightmost(or the leftmost), and wipe it with the dust-free cloth in a single direction until it is clean. Add a little grease to the linear bearing, and push the extruder around the reciprocating 3-5 times, so that the grease is evenly coated with
• the axis bearing.
• Cleaning cycle： once every 3 months

Cleaning of lead rod

• Tools：dust-free cloth, grease
• Cleaning method： Use a dust-free cloth to wipe off the dirt powder and old grease which attached to the lead rod. Add a little grease to the lead rod, and move the platform up and down for 3-5 times so that the grease is evenly coated with the lead rod.
• Cleaning cycle： once every 3 months

Cleaning of the linear guide rail

• Tools：dust-free cloth, grease
• Cleaning method： Move the print platform to the top (or bottom) to find the linear guide rail. Wipe it with the dust-free cloth in a single direction until it is clean.
• Add a little grease to the linear guide rail, and move the platform up and down for 3-5 times so that the grease is evenly coated with the guide rail.
• Maintenance cycle： once every 3 months

Recommended grease： White color lithium grease No.2

Replace the HEPA filter cotton

• If the model is equipped with HEPA filter cotton, it is necessary to replace the HEPA filter cotton regularly.
• Replacement cycle： every 3 months(frequently used) or every 6 months (use within 2 days a week)
• When replacing HEPA filter cotton, the fans need to be cleaned at the same time. Using a brush, brush the dust off the blades to make sure they are clean and they turn smoothly.

Replace the platform sticker

• Platform stickers are wearing parts, which need to be replaced in time when there is any printing problem.
• Replacement cycle： stickers damaged or the filament couldn’t be stuck to the platform.
• When replacing stickers, it is necessary to tear off the old stickers first, clean up the residual glue on the platform, and then stick the new stickers on the platform to ensure a smooth paste.

Filament storage and maintenance

• If the printer is not used for a long time (more than 3 days), please exit the filament from the nozzle and keep it sealed to prevent the printing quality from being affected by moisture.
• Bake for dehumidification with the drying box before next time use.
• The drying conditions of different filaments are as follows. If the drying box of Flashforge is used, the recommended baking temperature is according to that advised on the drying box.
• ABS/PC/ASA/PA and other filaments： baking temperature：80℃, baking time:10-12 hours
• PLA/PETG： Baking temperature：50-60℃, baking time：4-5 hours
• Filaments including carbon fibre： baking temperature:100℃, baking time:10-12 h

References

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