Flashforge Creator 4-A HT - FDM 3D printer

Creator 4-A HT is a multi-functional, flexible and high-performance industrial FDM 3D printer developed by Flashforge. Flashforge, the manufacturer of this and other quality 3D printing equipment and materials, has a wide range of FDM 3D printers aimed at the home, education and industrial sectors that stand out for their features and functionality as well as their ease of use.

Main features

Creator 4-A HT has a large printing volume of 400 x 350 x 500 mm, a maximum extrusion temperature of 320 ºC, a maximum base temperature of 130 ºC, it can reach printing speeds of 200 mm/s and its heated chamber can maintain a stable temperature of 65 ºC with the help of an advanced thermal-control system.

Video 1: The Creator 4-A HT printer. Source: Flashforge.

The Creator 4-A HT printer is equipped with an extruder specially designed for 3D printing with engineering filaments. The complete list of materials compatbile with Creator 4-A HT is: PC, PA, PP, PETG, ASA, ABS, PLA, PC-ABS, PAHT and PVA. The specialized extruder in combination with the heated chamber makes the Creator 4-A HT efficient at working with materials that require special printing conditions in order to prevent warping and cracking.

Image 1: The Creator 4-A HT printer mounted on the Drying Station. Source: Flashforge.

The printer also features a built-in filament cabinet that can fit a 2 kg spool and a 1 kg spool. As far as correct material storage, the Creator 4-A HT is fully compatible with the Flashforge Drying Station where filament spools can be conveniently stored and also dried at the same time. Since the Flashforge Drying Station matches the Creator 4-A HT in size, it can be used as a movable elevated shelf for the printer.

Image 2: The build chamber, extruders, guide rails, build plate and air filters of the Creator 4-A HT printer. Source: Flashforge.

Stability, precision and great detail are ensured by high quality linear-rail leadscrews, a brand new S-type motion control system (smoother start and stop and precise nozzle positioning), and a sturdy CNC-machined structure for reduced shaking.

IDEX extrusion system

One of the most outstanding features of this 3D printer is its independent double extrusion system (IDEX) which can help reduce printing time by half. Generally, this extrusion system is only found in professional or high-end 3D printers. The IDEX allows two different materials to be printed at the same time (for example, soluble supports) or parts to be produced in two colours, duplicate mode or mirror mode. When printing parts in two materials, the extruder that is not active is moved away from the part, preventing drips and unwanted marks that can affect the surface finish of the part.

Image 3: Creator 4-A HT printing in dual mode. Source: Flashforge.

Creator 4-A HT has different printing modes with its independent double extrusion system:

1. Multi-material mode: Allows parts to be printed in two different materials or colours.
2. Duplicate mode: Prints the model simultaneously with both heads, doubling manufacturing productivity.
3. Mirror mode: 3D prints two symmetrical models at the same time, increasing work speed.
4. Soluble support mode: 3D prints a part with complex geometries using the final material in one extruder and soluble support material in the other.

The Creator 4-A HT extrusion system is compatible with 1.75 mm filaments and comes with a 0.4 mm nozzle (also compatible with 0.6 mm and 0.8 mm nozzles).

Ease of use and safety

Creator 4-A HT includes a flexible magnetic printing surface that offers great adhesion and easy removal of 3D printed parts by simply bending the platform gently. The Creator 4-A HT printing bed also features an automatic levelling system with capacitive sensors for an improved success rate of leveling and more accurate printing positioning. This eliminated the need for manual levelling of both extruders and allows the user to save time and improve print quality.

Image 4: Parts 3D printed with the Creator 4-A HT printer. Source: Flashforge.

Creator 4-A HT is also equipped with an integrated camera that allows the user to check the real-time printing progress at any time and from anywhere via remote monitoring. Furtermore, Creator 4-A HT has an end-of-filament sensor, a HEPA 13 air filter, and a a feature that resumes printing after power failure. These functions ensure user safety as well as efficient and smooth printing.

Another useful feature is the smart filament management. This allows the chamber temperature to be automatically matched to the used filament and maintaned throughout the printing process. After printing, the intelligent control system helps to adjust the cooling temperature to prepare the printer for next jobs.

Image 5: Parts 3D printed with the Creator 4-A HT printer. Source: Flashforge.

In addition to all these features, Flashforge has developed FlashPrint Software, which supports online control of multiple devices, managing 3D printers with great efficiency. This can be very useful when setting up a 3D printer farm. The Creator 4-A HT is managed with the help of a 7" touchscreen and the connectivity options are USB, Ethernet, WLAN and cloud control.

Recommended environments

This 3D printer model is ideal for applications where parts need to be 3D printed with batches using engineering filaments that require a stable printing environment. The Creator 4-A HT printer can be used for the 3D printing of customized tools, jigs and fixtures for production lines, as well as wearing parts of production equipment. Some other great applications would be design prototype verification as well as small-batch part production.