Flashforge Guider 3 Extremely 3D Printer Overview: The Redemption Arc? – 3DPrint.com

Disclosure: The Guider 3 Extremely was supplied to me by Flashforge freed from cost for the aim of this evaluation. I’ve not acquired some other compensation. All opinions expressed are my very own, and Flashforge has had no affect on the content material of this video.

The Flashforge Guider 3 Extremely, a printer I beforehand evaluated earlier this yr, has undergone some revisions to handle issues that had been introduced up within the unique evaluation (discovered right here). Flashforge has invited me to re-examine this large machine to evaluate the enhancements the corporate has carried out. In contrast to my customary evaluation format, this analysis will contain extra rigorous testing, pushing the Guider 3 Extremely to its limits to determine potential flaws and measure the effectiveness of the updates.

Unboxing

Packaging High quality

The Guider 3 Extremely is, thus far, probably the most properly packaged printer I’ve acquired. Weighing over 100 lbs, the printer arrived on a pallet and was properly packaged in thick cardboard and foam. The froth surrounding the machine is two-inches thick and encompasses each piece of of the printer.

Benchy for scale (clearly the most effective measurement gadget)

The construct plate was lowered and compressed onto mushy foam, retaining it very safe throughout transport. The software head was additionally connected to a metal bracket on the aspect of the movement system.

Meeting/Construct High quality

The Guider 3 Extremely is a severely sturdy 3D printer—one of many hardest I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. The X-Y movement system is on all-linear rails, mounted to a 12mm aluminum plate that has been CNC milled. The Z axis runs on 4 16mm linear rods with  two 15mm ball screws. The construct plate is a sturdy metal and aluminum extrusion combine that makes for one of many flattest and sturdiest platforms I’ve seen. Each structural component of this printer is CNC milled, or precision floor to excessive tolerances. In contrast to many of the competitors, the aesthetics and shrouding are laser lower and bent metal, additional including to the burden and rigidity of the Guider 3 Extremely.

First Print and Impressions

After my first print, I’m as soon as once more very impressed. Nevertheless, that was a single shade, single materials print. With the metal body, milled prime plate, and thick linear rails and linear rods, it was no shock that this printer may make lovely elements. However, this method has two nozzles and needs to be able to dual-color or -material printing.

{Hardware} and Specs

The Flashforge Guider 3 Extremely boasts a considerable 330x330x600mm construct quantity when working with a single nozzle, however this quantity shrinks to 300x330x600mm when using each nozzles as a result of further house required for the second extruder. Regardless of its dimension, the printer maintains a marketed most journey pace of 500mm/s at 20,000 mm/s^2 acceleration, barely slower than a few of Flashforge’s different fashions. When it comes to print specs, each sizzling ends can attain a most temperature of 350°C, whereas the construct plate can warmth as much as 120°C. Sadly, even at its value level, the Guider 3 Extremely nonetheless lacks a chamber heater. Flashforge claims the printer can deal with a variety of supplies, together with frequent polymers like PLA, PETG, ABS/ASA, and TPU, in addition to high-temperature, engineering-grade polymers equivalent to PA, PAHT, and PC.

Software program and UI

The Flashforge Guider 3 Extremely is now pre-configured in Orca slicer, a big enchancment from my earlier expertise. Final time, I struggled to create customized profiles for Orca or Simplify3D, and Flashforge help was lower than useful. Nevertheless, I’ve found that the Guider 3 Extremely can settle for Klipper-flavored G-code, which suggests compatibility with numerous slicers able to producing this format. I’ve personally had wonderful outcomes utilizing Orca slicer with customized profiles tailor-made to my printing preferences. Whereas I admire the simplicity and ease of use of the Guider 3 Extremely’s consumer interface, I would favor the extra complete Klipper/Klipper-screen interface. This would supply higher management on the machine and permit for web-based administration instruments like Mainsail or Fluidd. Nevertheless, it’s necessary to notice that the present UI capabilities completely properly and doesn’t lack any important options.

Take a look at Prints and Efficiency

Time-lapses and Digicam

The time lapse high quality stays poor. The digital camera is blown out and regardless of how lengthy the print is, the time lapse shall be 10 seconds. Flashforge seems to take solely a hard and fast variety of photographs all through the print and simply adjustments the interval during which the photographs are taken to accommodate the various print instances. Nevertheless, this printer will not be actually designed for patrons who need time lapses for inventive functions. As a service bureau/contract producer and a content material creator, I would love to see extra of a concentrate on digital camera high quality and time lapse customization.

Print Examples

These are the outcomes of my accuracy check printed in ASA.

1. X Measurement: 99.75 of 100mm
2. Y Measurement: 99.75 of 100mm
3. Z Measurement: 99.99 of 100mm
4. XZ Measurement: 134.66 of 135mm
5. YZ Measurement: 134.97 of 135mm
6. XY – A Measurement: 149.62 of 150mm
7. XY – B Measurement: 149.62 of 150mm

What we see here’s a print that’s barely undersized (by an element of 0.25%), however that may actually be compensated for within the slicer. The printer is kind of sturdy and has a variety of CNC machined elements. This drastically helps preserve the prints sq., constant and straight all through the entire construct quantity.

Precise Print Pace

Over the time I’ve had the Guider 3 Extremely, I’ve been in a position to obtain the quoted high-speed printing that Flashforge marketed. After all, the print pace will depend on supplies. With ABS, I’ve been in a position to attain a max print pace of 350mm/s whereas sustaining respectable layer adhesion and with out visually affecting the printed elements.

Precise Materials Capabilities

I’ve been in a position to print every thing as marketed, and even supplies that weren’t marketed. With relative ease, I’ve been in a position to fabricate with polycarbonate, and even PPA (a excessive temperature Nylon). I’ll observe, with out the heated chamber, I haven’t been in a position to print full-size elements that don’t warp. Nevertheless, a 250x250x250mm half printed in these greater temp supplies works properly. I’d nonetheless want the Qidi Q1 Professional or the brand new Qidi Plus 4 (evaluation coming quickly) for giant, full-size elements created from high-temp supplies.

Noise Degree

The Guider 3, with its giant stature, comes additionally with a big sound profile. I recorded a most of 70 decibels when transferring at 500mm/s throughout journey strikes. The Guider 3 Extremely averages 60 decibels with a low of 52 decibels. General, it is a louder printer, utterly overshadowing nearly all my different FDM/FFF machines. It’s simply barely quieter than the HeyGears Reflex RS with the Pulse Launch Module I just lately reviewed. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless quieter than one other FDM/FFF printer that I’m reviewing presently.

Reliability and Upkeep

Throughout my prolonged testing interval, the Flashforge Guider 3 Extremely has constantly demonstrated distinctive reliability. Over the previous month-and-a-half, I’ve accrued greater than 500 hours of print time with out encountering any main points. Whereas I haven’t wanted to interchange any parts, the printer’s design makes upkeep extremely easy. The new ends are simply swappable, permitting for fast decision of most printing issues associated to the nozzle. Moreover, the magnetic toolhead cowl and easy toggle-release mechanism facilitate easy entry to the recent finish meeting. Though the spare elements record will not be available on the first Flashforge web site, it may be obtained by means of e mail contact with their help crew. This strategy, whereas not fully ultimate, permits for simple alternative of parts equivalent to sizzling ends, construct plates, linear rails, optical sensors, and even the principle PCB board. The supply of those spare elements at affordable costs demonstrates Flashforge’s dedication to serviceability, a big benefit over opponents who typically require the alternative of complete assemblies to handle minor part failures.

Alternative elements and costs out there for Guider 3 Extremely at time of evaluation.

Price and Worth

The Guider 3 Extremely retails for $3,499 USD. Beforehand once I bought this printer in January 2024, it retailed for $5,999 USD. At $6,000 USD, the Guider 3 Extremely was properly inside the similar value vary as its opponents the UltiMaker S5/7, Technique X/XL and the Elevate 3D Professional 3/3plus. These printers are all 2+ instances extra expensive. Because it presently stands, the Guider 3 Extremely has a bigger construct quantity and sooner marketed speeds in comparison with these opponents..

The closest competitor can be the Elevate 3D Professional 3 Plus. I see no purpose why you wouldn’t select the Guider 3 Extremely over the Professional 3 Plus. The Guider 3 Extremely is extraordinarily quick, sturdy, easy, has greater temp nozzles, and a barely bigger construct quantity. The Professional 3 Plus has a 255×300×605 mm or 46.2825 dm³ whereas the Guider 3 Extremely is 300×330×600 mm or 59.4 dm³ construct quantity. The Guider 3 Extremely has a 23.34% bigger construct quantity. Not solely is the Guider 3 Extremely priced competitively, it’s priced in such a manner that utterly undercuts all of the competitors. I see no purpose why anybody who wants a big twin nozzle printer ought to select something aside from this one. Not one of the opponents provide something akin to the efficiency to cost ratio of the Guider 3 Extremely

Professionals

1. Quick print pace.
2. Easy nozzle switching system (examined to 1 million nozzle switches).
3. Strong construct high quality.
4. Inexpensive value and elements.
5. Wide selection of fabric capabilities.
6. Construct Quantity
7. Twin nozzle system permitting for multi-material.

Cons

1. Lack of open klipper. The Guider 3 Extremely makes use of klipper, however is locked down.
2. Reliance on a purge tower, as a substitute of a purge bucket wastes a variety of materials and is liable to oozing and stringing.
3. Digicam high quality is low and over-exposed. Minorly, the Time-lapse high quality isn’t good.
4. Filament loading from the again makes transferring the printer up in opposition to a wall and utilizing it a trouble.
5. Dimension, even with the pace of a contemporary printer, the massive builds can nonetheless take tons of of hours.

Abstract

The Flashforge Guider 3 Extremely is a large-format 3D printer providing a construct quantity of 330x330x600mm (single nozzle) or 300x330x600mm (twin nozzles). It boasts a most journey pace of 500mm/s and may deal with a variety of supplies, together with engineering-grade polymers with glass and carbon fiber reinforcement. Whereas it lacks a chamber heater, the Guider 3 Extremely compensates with its spectacular reliability. In my expertise, it has been probably the most reliable printer I’ve used, constantly producing high-quality prints with out requiring fixed supervision. Priced at $3,499, the Guider 3 Extremely is a strong funding for these in search of a dependable and versatile large-format 3D printer.

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