Flashforge Guider 3: A Comprehensive Review

Flashforge, a well-known name in the 3D printing industry, has extended its lineup with the Guider 3 and 3 Plus models. These printers are designed to meet various demands of 3D printing professionals, be it prototyping, batch-production, or large-scale printing. In this article, we will review the key features of the Flashforge Guider 3 FDM 3D printer and see how it differs from its 3 Plus sibling.

Pros and Cons of Flashforge Guider 3

The Flashforge Guider 3 offers a unique set of smart features. It boasts high-speed printing for shorter delivery times, two interchangeable build plates, a powerful extruder with quick nozzle replacement, an advanced management system, and a compact and lightweight design. However, it has a modest build volume compared to other industrial-grade 3D printers.

About Flashforge

The Chinese-based Zhejiang Flashforge 3D technology company was founded in 2011 and quickly became one of the first manufacturers of AM equipment in China. Today, Flashforge is among the world’s leading brands in consumer 3D printing, supplying equipment to over 100 countries and regions.

Flashforge Guider 3 vs Guider 3 Plus

A few months before the launch of the Guider 3, Flashforge released the Guider 3 Plus. Both printers are extremely fast and targeted at the professional market, but while the Guider 3 is made primarily for time-efficient small-batch production, the Plus model is made for printing big. The Guider 3 Plus is ideal for large-scale 3D printing, such as architectural models, movie props, or art objects. It is also great for rapid prototyping and design verification tasks.

Specifications of Flashforge Guider 3

The Guider 3 comes with a single extruder, a filament runout sensor, and supports various file formats including 3MF, STL, OBJ, FPP, BMP, PNG, JPG, and JPEG. It offers USB drive, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and cloud printing connectivity options.

What's in the box?

The Flashforge Guider 3 comes fully assembled with some extras you may need for printing. Apart from the printer itself, you will find a user guide, after-sales service card, spool of filament, diagonal pliers, heat insulating gloves, set of allen wrenches, tweezers, nipper pliers, scraper, thermally conductive adhesive, cleaning brush, glue stick, screwdriver, glass platform, lubricating grease x 2, leveling card, power cord, fuse x 2, unclogging pin, and a USB stick in the box.

Highlights of Flashforge Guider 3

Dual build plate

The Guider 3 is equipped with a convenient swappable build plate. The glass build plate, great for smooth model surface, can be easily changed for a magnetic flexible steel sheet, which can be slightly bent for a hassle-free larger models removal.

Advanced bed leveling system

Featuring automatic and auxiliary print bed leveling with a highly sensitive proximity sensor, the Guider 3 ensures precise distance between the nozzle and build plate during the entire printing process. This makes for perfect first layer adhesion and saves you pretty much time on manual printer setup.

Double-gear extruder with a quick release nozzle

Due to the upgraded double-gear design, the Guider 3 powerful extruder provides 150% higher feeding force than its predecessor, the Guider IIs, and ensures consistent filament feeding, efficiently preventing clogging issues. The extruder is equipped with a stainless steel 0.4 mm nozzle, featuring proprietary quick release mechanism, which can be easily replaced with an optional 0.6 or 0.8 mm diameter nozzle if needed.

Efficient management system

To affirm the printer’s true industrial nature, Flashforge engineers equipped it with a comprehensive management system for reliable continuous operation. The system includes real-time remote monitoring of the printing process and print resume function after a sudden power outage. Once the built-in camera is turned on, one can see live video of the printing process in the FlashPrint software. The user can manage multiple machines from a single computer to streamline the batch production process.

Software

The Guider 3 is compatible with the dedicated FlashPrint software. The latest FlashPrint 5 version contains some major upgrades including both interface design and operation. FlashPrint 5 provides convenient remote monitoring of the printing process and supports multi-machine operation by creating grouping lists, allowing you to efficiently manage different groups of printers.

Applications and print examples

The Flashforge Guider 3 is an ideal workhorse for small-batch production and can be employed for various applications where continuous, reliable, high-speed printing of quality parts is of crucial importance. The machine can be used in workshops or small-to-medium factories as well as in educational institutes.

Conclusion

The Flashforge Guider 3 FDM 3D printer is equipped with all the features necessary for an industrial machine, designed for time-efficient and low-cost manufacturing. With its fast and reliable performance, interchangeable build plates, and advanced management system, the Guider 3 is a highly versatile solution for any small enterprise.

FAQs

What is the build volume of the Flashforge Guider 3?

• The build volume of the Flashforge Guider 3 is 300 x 250 x 340 mm.

What is the maximum print speed of the Flashforge Guider 3?

• The Flashforge Guider 3 can print at speeds of 10–250 mm/s.

What types of filament can the Flashforge Guider 3 use?

• The Flashforge Guider 3 can work with a wide range of consumer and engineering filaments, including ABS, PLA, PC, PA, HIPS, ASA, PETG, PA-CF, PLA-CF, PETG-CF, PETG-GF, and others.

Does the Flashforge Guider 3 come with a filament runout sensor?

• Yes, the Flashforge Guider 3 comes with a filament runout sensor.

What is the price of the Flashforge Guider 3?

• The Flashforge Guider 3 is priced at $2,999.00.