| Build Volume | 140 x 140 x 140 mm (5.5 x 5.5 x 5.5 in.) |
| Layer Resolution Low | 500 micron (0.020 in.) |
| Layer Resolution High | 100 micron (0.004 in.) |
| Nozzle Diameter | 0,4 |
| Filament Diameter | 1.75 |
| Print Speed Min. | 30 mm/s |
| Print Speed Max. | 100 mm/s |
| Brand | FlashForge |
| Machine type | 3D Printer |
| Technology | FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) |
| Materials | PLA, Rubber-like (TPU) |
| Website | |
| Average Price | $349.00 |
Finder is an FDM 3D printer from a Chinese manufacturer Flashforge. This machine focuses on providing simple and safe 3D printing right from the box, which can be seen in its design and features. Originally, the printer is advertised for children, promoting educational and hobby use.
Features:
Advertising 3D printers for education and “fun” in-home use has become somewhat of a staple for FDM printing, especially with Chinese companies. There are many colorful toy-like printers on the market that claim to be a great way to teach and entertain children. However, there is a great number of such machines that can’t be good not only for children but for grown-ups as well due to their poor quality and unsafe design.
Flashforge Finder does seem to care about its users, which can be noticed in both structure, hardware and software of the printer. Despite the frame being plastic, the printer is rigid and stable due to metal parts at the bottom. Potentially dangerous and hot elements are hidden (except the tip of a nozzle, most of which is hidden away as well), and the machine itself doesn’t require assembling aside from installing a spool into a filament cartridge. Starting processes like bed leveling are taken care of semi-automatically with a help of a touch sensor. Software-wise the machine comes with its own slicer, which has both simplified and detailed settings and useful features like manual supports and model splitting. The printing bed of this machine isn’t heating, which is another safety advantage, though, will limit a user to printing with PLA filament.
The only complaint, if we’d try to make one, would be having no enclosure. Due to no heating of the print bed, there is not much need for one but a door with a safety lock can serve as an extra layer of safety and can be found in some children-tailored 3D printers. Overall, FlashForge Finder is safe and reliable and provides good quality 3D prints with low effort as well.
