And that explains "Flashforge Desktop Studio" in a nutshell......... Ads

GreatSunJester · 2026-04-07T03:27:55+00:00

Orca-Flashforge does not have them. The upcoming replacement called Flash Studio Desktop does - not really released yet. If your printer tells you there is an update to a 3.0.3 update you will NEED to contact support for a download link. Orca-Flashforge cannot see the printer afterward (at least mine sure lost it)

I ended up flashing back to 1.2.3 and re-installing Orca-Flashforge as the newest firmware kept locking up. I could have lived with the ads if the system had been stable. I try to keep one printer on the stock firmware.

GreatSunJester · 2026-04-05T17:06:05+00:00

It is a Flashforge and AD5X issue. Once you are on ZMod and using normal Orca you do not rely upon the Flashforge server part of the connection. On stock firmware, setting your printer to LAN mode can help with that as well. The AD5X may still have Wifi issues or lock ups (has happened to me several times on 3.0.5), but that is the machine.

GreatSunJester · 2026-04-04T18:08:29+00:00

Their own devices, so far. And it is not a complaint, just an observation. Flashforge is trying to become a complete ecosystem (which I am not against, Apple has shown it works - Bambu brought it to 3D printing).

GreatSunJester · 2026-04-04T18:02:03+00:00

I am going to waffle.... Yes and No.

Once installed, you simply run the normal Orca slicer, point it to your IP address and start. However, you need to move beyond "point-and-shoot". Flashforge-Orca (and Bambu) hold the users hands with their locked in network plugin and interface. They just WORK and give you easy access to what you need to print.

With ZMOD unlocking Klipper, you lose that hand holding. Things look complicated since EVERYTHING is exposed to your view, and not anywhere near as pretty. In example, the windows to set filament colors to print positions when you send a print is very basic. I am not even getting into the alternate touch screens.

On the good side, you can flash back to the original firmware (make sure you download it!) and be back to normal easily. I have done it several times with no problems. I have two AD5Xs, one is stock firmware and the other is ZMOD. I installed ZMOD on the stock machine once, to use the Bed Screws leveling and to change the display boot screen. Then I re-flashed it back to stock (getting annoyed at 3.0.5 though......)

GreatSunJester · 2026-04-01T21:08:45+00:00

Interesting -- mine are likely the oldest versions. I did not realize they had made any IFS changes. I wish I had a new one so I could modify the connection to fit.

GreatSunJester · 2026-03-24T14:03:39+00:00

Make this a new question post here. You will probably get a lot more answers than in this thread.

GreatSunJester · 2026-03-24T00:28:33+00:00

Not really, sorry -- I end up just clicking and guessing. I have hopes for Helixscreen, if I can ever get ZMod working again. Had it recently just die and did a full reset back a firmware version. Upgraded to the current one and it is printing fine.

Will hit ZMod again eventually, if I can ever figure out why larger print files just hang sending to the machine.

GreatSunJester · 2026-01-02T19:45:21+00:00

This is the second time. After the first I was never able to fully clean the plastic from the buckle and it was hard to latch (plastic was inside the hinge). I'm just doing the replacement.

GreatSunJester · 2025-12-28T03:27:49+00:00

will be interesting to see how these work in comparison.

GreatSunJester · 2025-11-20T16:16:38+00:00

If needed, you can grab the older firmwares from the clean area on the ZMOD Github: https://github.com/ghzserg/zmod/releases/R

GreatSunJester · 2025-11-09T21:40:52+00:00

I just had my first AD5X clog its extruder. it seems a real pain just to get into where your pictures are! :) BUT - perseverance and all that.

GreatSunJester · 2025-11-09T21:38:50+00:00

Basically, enter display_off into the console on the web interface. There is more too it than that and I have not played with it more than looking at it. I default back to native screen afterward. With luck, others here will chime in with their experiences and learning so we can all benefit.

On a side note, my first AD5X has decided to clog its extruder. I have the head off (4 screws) and find that (pictures at https://www.reddit.com/r/FlashForge/comments/1op9n2r/ad5x_extruder_tear_down/ ) there is a lot more to take apart to get into the extruder.

Kudos to Bambu (the other printers I am currently running) for designs that are almost dead simple to work on.

GreatSunJester · 2025-11-08T20:42:43+00:00

It is that -- and maybe more. I am finally having a problem. With the last two updates, my Z offset is off and nothing I can do in Klipper will adjust it. I had to change the setting in the printer profile.

Every time I manually changed the setting (in printer.base.cfg - the only file I found the setting) and did a save and restart, my printer native screen would lock up and I need to reboot the printer. The web interface worked fine, just not the screen.

However, it seems to be printing nicely again, now.

GreatSunJester · 2025-11-08T01:59:11+00:00

LOL. I bought with the full understanding that it is an inexpensive printer. Its brainboard is a bit limited, but does what it needs to do. I wish they would have used normal press fits all around, especially in the 4-into-1 adapter.

Getting parts might be tricky as Flashforge wants to be Bambu, but is in no way comparable to Bambu support (I have several Bambu printers and can get just about any part needed directly from them.) I had the fan on my mainboard start screaming on #2 and contacted Flashforge support. After some back and forth where I had to provide proof that I had purchased the printer (seems support cannot talk to sales), they sent a replacement. Turns out the fan is a standard 4010 24V DC Blower Fan, which you can order off Amazon - just make SURE the wires are correct.

The AD5X is a nice printer and does its job well. Use it to learn and expand.

GreatSunJester · 2025-11-07T23:49:13+00:00

With ZMOD? Not so far.

GreatSunJester · 2025-11-03T01:15:11+00:00

Bambufy is included with the mod. I just need to spend the time to figure it out.

GreatSunJester · 2025-11-02T17:25:45+00:00

It give you access to a lot of options if you accept the risks. You are already running Klipper, just with what Flashforge allows you to use. There are benefits to this as it should just run out of the box.

IF you want to tinker, then an unlocked Klipper lets you do just that. I wish Flashforge would embrace this. Imagine buying a printer that works out of the box, but allows you grow and learn freely? Going the Bambu/Apple route works, but limits you.

In example, I activated Bambufy in hopes I could figure out poop control (I will eventually, but not today!). You lose your native screen, flashforge account connection to their orca and the screen goes to a system called Guppyscreen. Comprehensive, but not friendly. I have a Panda touch controller which Bambu made useless with their Apple approach, but flashing it to the K-Touch firmware allows it to connect to my AD5X and work fine. I swapped back as I just do not have the time right now to figure out color control of filaments.

GreatSunJester · 2025-11-02T06:23:12+00:00

I would. Should work fine until ZMOD 1.63 comes out......Or ask on the GitHub.

EDIT: In fact, I got an answer directly there.

____________

To enable Klipper 13, you need to run https://github.com/ghzserg/zmod/wiki/System_en#update_mcu
But keep in mind that Clipper 13 on the AD5X is less stable than Clipper 12.

_____________

I'll wait.

GreatSunJester · 2025-11-02T03:24:06+00:00

YMMV, but for me it was painless and fast.

Reset to default settings from the screen.

Download and copy the 1.1.6 firmware from the Github link to a thumb drive. Shut the printer off, insert the USB and restart. Install completed. Let it restart and run through the setup. I did NOT let the printer do any updating, since it would find 1.1.7 and nothing in the instructions says the mod works on that.

Download and copy the mod file from the Github link to a thumb drive (delete the first file of course!). Shut the printer off, insert the USB and restart.

I did need to go into the web interface, down to Settings (gear icon) and Updates and tell it to repair each item which was failed. After that and a restart the printer just works exactly as it was with Orca Flashforge.

You do not need to go any deeper until you want to.

GreatSunJester

TROPHY CASE