Flashforge AD5X Assessment: Multicolor TPU 3D Printing Made Easy – 3DPrint.com

Disclosure:The AD5X was supplied to me by Flashforge freed from cost for the aim of this overview. I’ve not acquired any extra compensation. All opinions expressed are my very own, and Flashforge has had no affect on the content material of this overview.

The Flashforge AD5X marks the following evolution within the Adventurer lineup, that includes a standout innovation: a multi-material system able to dealing with 95A TPU—a primary for any Flashforge printer. It’s an bold leap, however does this innovation stay as much as the hype? Let’s dive in and discover out.

Unboxing

Packaging High quality

The AD5X was packed simply as I’ve come to anticipate from Flashforge—and that’s nice! It was securely packaged with thick foam padding on all sides, offering glorious safety. The printer additionally had loads of inside foam assist to maintain it sq. and secure throughout delivery. Even the equipment, such because the spool holder and instruments, have been neatly tucked into custom-cut foam slots for added safety.

Meeting/Construct High quality

The AD5X has a well-known construct high quality. Based mostly on the previous-generation AD5 and AD5M Professional, it includes a inflexible and durable metal body. With linear rods on all axes, its kinematics are each strong and constant. Whereas it’s not the heaviest or most rugged printer available on the market, it holds its personal towards competing manufacturers like Elegoo, Anycubic, Creality, and Qidi. It’s a easy, confirmed design that works—and works effectively.

First Print and Impressions

My first print with the Flashforge AD5X got here with a couple of surprises. I used to be happy to discover a multi-color check file included, including some pleasure to the unboxing. That mentioned, I’m not a fan of PLA filament, so I appreciated that Flashforge included some with the machine—particularly since I didn’t have any available once I acquired the AD5X. For its worth level, the print high quality was spectacular. Whereas it’s not one of the best I’ve ever seen, it’s undeniably glorious for the AD5X’s price.

AD5X First twin coloration PLA print.

{Hardware} and Specs

The Flashforge AD5X includes a acquainted 220 × 220 × 220 mm construct quantity, according to the AD5 and AD5M Professional fashions. With a nozzle temperature of as much as 300°C and a mattress temperature of 110°C, it’s well-equipped to deal with engineering-grade filaments. Nevertheless, its open-frame design might current some limitations. Flashforge claims the AD5X can attain speeds of 600 mm/s with accelerations of 20,000 mm/s²—a formidable feat if it holds up in observe. The standout function, nonetheless, is its marketed capability to print 95A TPU utilizing the multi-color system, setting it aside in its class.

Now is an efficient time to say that in every coloration change, the printer spends almost 5 minutes repeatedly purging materials. This seems to be a firmware misinterpretation of the purge sequence from Orca-Flashforge. For a single layer on my Flexi-Rex (seen beneath), it purged over 15 instances, leading to using greater than 1.75 kg of TPU, whereas the Flexi-Rex itself weighed simply 150 grams. Sadly, that is extremely wasteful, however it needs to be a straightforward repair with a firmware or slicer replace. See my video on the purging subject right here.

Software program and UI

The AD5X options the identical intuitive UI as different Flashforge printers—easy and efficient. Presently, it solely works with Orca-Flashforge, the corporate’s fork of Orca Slicer. Whereas this can be a welcome enchancment over the Flashprint slicer, it follows a development seen amongst many client printer manufacturers: taking an open-source slicer and rebranding it as a proprietary model. I’d a lot fairly see corporations use Orca Slicer and contribute to its improvement as a substitute of repackaging it as their very own—however that’s a dialogue for an additional day.

Take a look at Prints and Efficiency

Print Examples

Accuracy Take a look at Outcomes                                        X Measurement: 100.05 of 100mm
Y Measurement: 100.08 of 100mm
Z Measurement: 100.02 of 100mm
XZ Measurement: 135.50 of 135mm
YZ Measurement: 135.40 of 135mm
XY – A Measurement: 150.40 of 150mm
XY – B Measurement: 150.44 of 150mm

Precise Print Pace

With an marketed most journey pace of 600 mm/s and a print pace of 300 mm/s, I’ve been in a position to obtain these speeds pretty persistently. To take care of them with out exceeding the fabric circulation price, I needed to decrease the layer top to 0.1 mm. The AD5X dealt with 300 mm/s like a champ, identical to the AD5M Professional.

Precise Materials Capabilities

As a result of open-frame design of the AD5X, I used to be solely in a position to check PLA, PETG, and TPU. Printing ASA, ABS, PA, or PC wasn’t possible because of the chilly ambient air and my lack of correct carbon HEPA filtration. That mentioned, the AD5X carried out flawlessly with PLA, PETG, and TPU. I’ve to emphasise the multi-color TPU printing—it’s been an extremely fascinating and enjoyable functionality to have!

Noise Stage

The open-frame design of the AD5X makes it a bit louder than the AD5M Professional I beforehand examined, averaging 72 dB with peaks of 80 dB. Whereas this isn’t considerably louder than the earlier era of printers, it’s sufficient that I desire to not work in the identical room whereas it’s working.

Reliability and Upkeep

All through my time with the AD5X, it has functioned as meant and marketed. I’ve printed for over 200 hours with no indicators of degradation or put on. The elements are straightforward to entry and change if wanted. Flashforge has but to publish substitute components on-line, so I can’t touch upon their pricing. Nevertheless, primarily based on the prices of substitute components for different Flashforge printers, they shouldn’t be prohibitively costly.

Price and Worth

Execs

1. Inexpensive
2. Multi-color TPU
3. Easy and straightforward to take care of

Cons

1. Loud
2. Open body
3. Extreme purging

Abstract

The Flashforge AD5X introduces multi-color printing with 95A TPU functionality to the Adventurer lineup, alongside a stable 220 × 220 × 220 mm construct quantity, a 300°C nozzle, and a 110°C heated mattress. It arrived well-packaged with thick foam safety and includes a sturdy metal body with dependable linear rod kinematics, corresponding to rivals like Creality and Anycubic.

The primary print impressed me with the included multi-color PLA, although the open-frame design limits materials choices and contributes to noise (72–80 dB). Marketed speeds of 600 mm/s journey and 300 mm/s printing held up effectively, and the intuitive UI pairs with the Orca-Flashforge slicer, a proprietary tackle open-source software program. Nevertheless, extreme purging throughout coloration adjustments—losing over 1.75 kg of TPU for a 150 g print—reveals firmware flaws that want addressing.

Take a look at prints, together with a Flexi-Rex and BenchyCarrier, showcased good accuracy (e.g., 100.02 mm for 100 mm targets) and demonstrated the potential of multi-color TPU. Whereas inexpensive, straightforward to take care of, and pleasant for PLA, PETG, and TPU, the AD5X struggles with louder operation, restricted materials compatibility as a consequence of its open body, and wasteful purging. Nonetheless, its worth stands out for these desperate to discover multi-color TPU printing.

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