FlashForge MCP Servers

MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers for 3D printing with FlashForge printers. Control your printer, convert images to 3D models, and generate AI-powered figurines - all from Claude.

What's Included

Server	Purpose	Tools
flashforge-printer	Printer discovery & control	6 tools
flashforge-convert	2D to 3D conversion	5 tools
flashforge-generate	AI 3D generation	2 tools

Quick Start

1. Install

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/anthony-ism/flashforge-claude-skill.git
cd flashforge-claude-skill

# Install with uv (recommended)
uv pip install -e .

# Or with pip
pip install -e .

2. Configure Claude Desktop

Add to ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "flashforge-printer": {
      "command": "uv",
      "args": ["run", "flashforge-printer-mcp"]
    },
    "flashforge-convert": {
      "command": "uv",
      "args": ["run", "flashforge-convert-mcp"]
    },
    "flashforge-generate": {
      "command": "uv",
      "args": ["run", "flashforge-generate-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "TRIPO_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

3. Restart Claude Desktop

The servers will appear in Claude's tool list.

---

Server 1: flashforge-printer

Control and monitor FlashForge 3D printers on your local network.

Tools

Tool	Description
watch_printer	Smart dashboard - auto-discover, status, and camera (recommended!)
discover_printers	Find FlashForge printers via UDP broadcast
get_printer_info	Get model, firmware, serial number
get_printer_status	Check temperatures, progress, state
send_gcode_file	Upload G-code and optionally start print
get_camera_url	Get live camera stream URL

Example Prompts

• "Watch my printer" - Auto-discovers and shows full dashboard with camera
• "How's my print going?" - Check progress and watch the camera
• "Find FlashForge printers on my network"
• "What's the status of my printer at 192.168.1.100?"
• "Upload output.gcode to my printer"
• "Send model.gcode to my printer and start printing"
• "Watch my printer and open the camera" - Opens camera feed in browser

Requirements

• FlashForge Adventurer 5M, 5M Pro, or compatible
• Printer and computer on same network
• Printer's LAN mode enabled

---

Server 2: flashforge-convert

Convert 2D images to 3D-printable STL files.

Tools

Tool	Best For	Description
image_to_stl_contour	Icons, logos	Edge detection + extrusion
image_to_stl_heightmap	Photos, art	Brightness-to-height mapping
image_to_lithophane	Backlit photos	Thickness-based light transmission
image_to_svg	Vector output	Clean SVG for slicers
validate_stl	Quality check	Verify printability

Example Prompts

• "Convert this logo to a 3D print, 50mm wide with a 2mm base"
• "Make a relief model from this grayscale image"
• "Create a lithophane from this family photo, 100mm wide"
• "Convert this icon to SVG for OrcaSlicer"
• "Check if this STL file is printable"

Conversion Decision Guide

Your Image	Use This Tool
Icon with solid colors	image_to_stl_contour
Photo or detailed art	image_to_stl_heightmap
Photo for backlight	image_to_lithophane
Need SVG for slicer	image_to_svg

---

Server 3: flashforge-generate

AI-powered 3D model generation from single images using Tripo AI.

Tools

Tool	Description
generate_3d_from_image	Create true 3D model from photo
get_generation_balance	Check remaining API credits

Example Prompts

• "Generate a 3D figurine from this character image, 100mm tall"
• "Create a 3D model from this product photo with a base"
• "How many generation credits do I have left?"

Setup

1. Sign up at tripo3d.ai
2. Get your API key from the dashboard
3. Add to Claude Desktop config:

   "env": {
     "TRIPO_API_KEY": "your-key-here"
   }

When to Use Generate vs Convert

Use Generate	Use Convert
3D characters/figurines	Flat icons/logos
Products with depth	2D artwork
Complex 3D shapes	Simple extrusions

Generate creates true 3D geometry. Convert extrudes 2D shapes.

---

Supported Printers

Tested with:

• FlashForge Adventurer 5M
• FlashForge Adventurer 5M Pro

Should work with other FlashForge printers that support:

• UDP discovery on 225.0.0.9:19000
• TCP control on port 8899

---

Build Volume

FlashForge Adventurer 5M:

• X: 220mm
• Y: 220mm
• Z: 220mm

All conversion tools automatically scale output to fit.

---

Recommended Slicer

OrcaSlicer - Works great on macOS (including Apple Silicon) with FlashForge printers.

---

Development

Project Structure

flashforge-mcp/
├── src/
│   ├── flashforge_printer_mcp/   # Printer control server
│   ├── flashforge_convert_mcp/   # 2D-to-3D conversion server
│   └── flashforge_generate_mcp/  # AI generation server
├── flashforge/                   # Original CLI tools
├── input/                        # Sample input images
├── output/                       # Generated output files
└── docs/                         # Additional documentation

Running Servers Locally

# Test printer server
uv run python -m flashforge_printer_mcp

# Test convert server
uv run python -m flashforge_convert_mcp

# Test generate server (requires TRIPO_API_KEY)
TRIPO_API_KEY=xxx uv run python -m flashforge_generate_mcp

Dependencies

• Python 3.10+
• mcp (Model Context Protocol SDK)
• opencv-python (image processing)
• trimesh (3D mesh operations)
• numpy, pillow, shapely (utilities)
• requests (API calls)

---

License

MIT

---

Links

• MCP Documentation
• FlashForge
• OrcaSlicer
• Tripo AI