Flashforge Adventurer 5M Pro, full review

Overview of the FlashForge Adventurer 5M Pro CD Printer

The FlashForge Adventurer 5M Pro CD Printer positions itself as a compelling choice for users looking for an enclosed, CorXY fast printer with a range of features aimed at convenience and quality. The design highlights include a fully enclosed build environment, fast-changing nozzle system, direct drive extruder, and built-in air filtration, among others. These elements come together to provide a printer that promises versatility, especially for technical and exotic filament materials, despite its limitation of reaching a maximum of 280°C.

Design and Usability

The fully enclosed design not only aids in temperature regulation, essential for materials like ABS, but also in reducing noise, making it a quieter option compared to other models in its range. The printer's fast-changing nozzle system is particularly notable for being tool-less, offering ease of maintenance and operation. A potential drawback, however, lies in the spool holder's placement at the back, which could be inconvenient for some setups. From a usability standpoint, the inclusion of a direct drive extruder and built-in air filtration system (with options for internal and external air circulation) enhances the printing experience with different materials.

Software and Connectivity

On the software side, the printer operates on firmware akin to Clipper, though proprietary, which indicates room for improvement, especially in firmware, slicer compatibility, and connectivity. Wi-Fi connectivity is limited to use with FlashPrint software, excluding third-party slicers like Orca without additional workarounds. This limitation, along with reported issues with bed leveling during wireless printing, points to challenges in software scalability and usability. Despite these hurdles, the printer supports automatic bed leveling with a touch probe, enhancing reliability for users willing to navigate its software limitations.

Performance and Print Quality

The FlashForge Adventurer 5M Pro demonstrates fast printing capabilities with satisfactory outcomes on various test prints, including technical and exotic filaments within its temperature range. The printer maintains good air quality inside the enclosure during prints with materials that potentially emit fumes, like ABS, through its filtration system. Despite challenges in initial layer adhesion in certain scenarios, adjustments to settings can mitigate these issues, showcasing the printer’s adaptability. The fast-changing nozzle, alongside the printer's various quality-of-life features, aligns it with expectations from a professional or educational setting where versatility and ease of maintenance are valued.

Conclusion

In summary, the FlashForge Adventurer 5M Pro CD Printer offers robust hardware capabilities, with emphasis on its fully enclosed environment, ease of maintenance with the fast-changing nozzle, and quality prints across a variety of materials. While the software and connectivity present some limitations and room for improvement, they do not vastly detract from the overall value proposition of the printer. Users willing to navigate these software challenges will find the Adventurer 5M Pro a resourceful tool in both educational and professional contexts. Its potential for future firmware updates could further enhance its appeal, addressing current limitations and expanding its utility and user-friendliness.