Test of the Flashforge 5M Pro 3D printer

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Today, I’m bringing you a full review of the FlashForge Adventurer 5M Pro, a 3D printer that promises to combine performance, ease of use and versatility. After several weeks of testing, here’s my detailed feedback.

Unpacking and First Impressions

On opening the box, the Adventurer 5M Pro impresses with its modern, compact design. The CoreXY structure ensures greater stability and precision, which are promising assets for print quality. The printer is well packaged and comes with all the necessary accessories, including maintenance tools, a USB stick and test templates.

Technical specifications

The Adventurer 5M Pro boasts the following specifications:

• Print volume: 220 x 220 x 220 mm
• Structure: CoreXY for greater precision and stability
• Automatic levelling: One-click adjustment for ease of use
• Dual filtration: HEPA13 filter and activated carbon for a healthy working environment
• Quick Swap nozzle: Quick change in 3 seconds
• Extruder: Direct Drive for better management of flexible filaments
• Printing speed: up to 600 mm/s
• Connectivity: USB, WiFi, LAN

Assembly and configuration

Assembly of the Adventurer 5M Pro is child’s play, thanks to clear instructions and well-designed parts. In less than 5 minutes, the printer is ready for use. Automatic levelling is easily performed via the 4.3″ touchscreen, a real plus for beginners. The system checks 16 calibration points, guaranteeing optimum precision. Be sure to remove the safety screws from the platter before starting calibration!

First impressions and tests

For the first tests, I used the models supplied on the USB key. We started the test with the usual, full-speed model, printing in less than 18 minutes. For the other test models, the rendering is cleaner and the surfaces smoother. These first impressions are generally of good quality, but we’ll see about further tests with our own STLs sliced via our slicer.

Software and parameterization

To slice the models, I used FlashPrint 5, although I usually prefer to use Prusa Slicer. All in all, FlashPrint is a pretty intuitive and easy-to-use program. The software is available in French on both PC and Mac.

I really appreciate the ability to send the template via WiFi, which saves you having to go back and forth between computer and printer!

First print via Flash Print 5

For this first PLA print, the rendering is really very clean, much better than some of the demo models supplied on the USB key. By the way, after connecting the printer to WiFi, the printer offered me an automatic firmware update, perhaps the reason for better print quality?

I’m also very impressed by the printing speed of this Flashforge 5M Pro!

Silk PLA printing

For the rest of my tests, I switched to green Silk PLA filament from Elegoo.
I also took the opportunity to print the same model over the entire tray, to check that it was level, and it was! There were no clinging problems, and all the pieces printed correctly, with no defects on the first layer. I also like the flexible textured tray: removing the parts from the tray is child’s play.

Printing in ABS, is the filter effective?

I hate printing in ABS, especially my wife! Mainly because of the very bad odors of ABS during printing. This FlashForge 5M Pro is equipped with a HEPA13 filter that is supposed to block 99% of particles. So I used the default ABS profile, with Sunlu ABS, and kept the slicer settings at 250° for the nozzle and 105° for the platen.

I didn’t apply any glue, ABS juice or any other magic mixture… printing directly onto the textured plate. And I had no problems whatsoever! Impeccable printing, and very good adhesion to the tray without any wrapping!

And as for the smell… I deliberately left the office door open during printing, with my wife in the next room, and I didn’t get any remarks, so test approved (haha), the filter seems very effective, even if I won’t try to print in a living room, but ABS printing becomes possible, without too much smell (small smell, very bearable), and always leaving a window open or with additional ventilation.

Surveillance with the built-in camera

I forgot to mention it in the Flashforge 5M pro’s product sheet, but it’s equipped with a camera that lets you remotely monitor the good printing in progress! This can be very practical, although I confess I don’t use this type of functionality very often.

Conclusion

The FlashForge Adventurer 5M Pro is a 3D printer that delivers on its promises. Easy to use, powerful and robust, it’s suitable for beginners and advanced users alike. Its competitive price and advanced features make it an excellent choice for any 3D printing project. After more than 50 hours of testing, and in comparison with similar machines, this Flashforge 5M pro is really very interesting, it’s relatively silent and makes printing in ABS very easy.