HEPA13 Air Filter

If you’re a home user without a dedicated printing space separate from your home or workspace, a built-in HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter should pique your interest. Studies show that 3D printing emits toxic fumes when using certain materials like ABS. Though PLA is generally considered much safer, it’s still generally advised to keep 3D printers in a well-ventilated area, and open windows are no fun in February (except maybe for your heating company).

Keep in mind, air filters aren’t a total replacement for good ventilation. According to the EPA, HEPA filters eliminate upwards of 99.97% of aerosols at least 0.3 microns in size, but anything smaller will need a higher-end filter. Still, some filtration is better than none.

Energy-Saving Standby Mode

FlashForge briefly mentions an “energy-saving mode” in their marketing material that limits the Adventurer 4 to just 1 kWh of power consumption. We couldn’t find further details about the new mode, such as how it’s triggered, but it presumably enters standby automatically after some time idling or after print completion. Pretty handy for a printer that comes with Wi-Fi as stock.

“Leveling-Free” Build Platform

The Adventurer 4 has brought in a nine-point compensation to level a CNC-milled and fixed build plate. However, their promotional video specifies “extruder without sensor,” which begs some questions. We’d wager that if the hot end lacks any sensor like a touch probe, the system probably relies on user input to set the Z-height — traditional “mesh bed leveling.” Or, the Adventurer 4 could have something like a strain gauge – similar to the Anycubic Vyper or Creality CR-6 SE since some third-party retailers have listed the system as “auto-leveling” rather than “leveling-free.” Hopefully, there’s some form of detection since a manual mesh wouldn’t exactly be “leveling free.”

Quick-Release Nozzles

A very handy feature to carry over from past Adventurers: this new system is equipped with quick-release nozzles for toolless nozzle changes. FlashForge’s nozzles are held in place by a simple clip system that makes it easy to replace the nozzle to print with different diameters and temperatures.

The nozzles allow you to print with materials up to 265°C. In combination with the heated bed (110°C) and the enclosed build chamber, the Adventurer 4 seems fit to process some of the more advanced materials than your everyday filaments.

It’s worth noting this is a lingering restriction of sorts. Because of the quick-release system, users are locked into FlashForge’s proprietary nozzles — without a workaround or completely replacing the print head. Fortunately, the stainless steel nozzles (if reseller listings are to be believed) are pretty affordable at $22 to $39, and the benefits are probably worth their marginal cost. But though stainless steel is typically tougher than brass, it isn’t the hardest material around. They should print abrasive filaments like Nylon and carbon or glass-fiber composites fine, but will probably need to be replaced sooner than some of the stronger options out there.

Other Features

Enclosed 1 kg Filament Spool Holder

The Adventurer 4 has an enclosed, side-mounted, 1 kg filament spool holder. The previous Adventurer had a smaller spool enclosure that wouldn’t fit standard-sized 1 kg spools, but FlashForge has corrected that with this larger machine.

Bigger Volume

The Adventurer 4 had a growth spurt, it seems. The newest Adventurer’s build volume now sits at a reasonable 220 x 200 x 250 mm (compared to its predecessor’s 150 x 150 x 150mm). The added space makes room for larger models in one go, without the need to break them up into different pieces.

Filament Sensor & Power-Loss Recovery

Missing from previous Adventurers, the Adventurer 4 adds power-loss recovery. All the more important for a networked printer since it’s easier to miss a power flicker that’s stopped your print. Past systems did have a filament sensor, however, and the Adventurer 4 has kept it.

Built-in Camera

Also carrying over from previous Adventurers is the built-in camera, this time in HD. It’s another small feature that becomes more useful in networked printers, allowing you to keep an eye on print jobs from workstations in another room. Some users weren’t satisfied with the previous Adventurer’s camera, so it seems FlashForge stepped it up by offering HD this time.