The QIDI X-MAX 3 we examined is the most recent massive format printer from the Chinese language producer. It’s based mostly on the Core XY movement system with Klipper firmware and guarantees quick 3D printing at an reasonably priced value.
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Sturdy packaging
The very first thing we are able to say is that this QIDI X-MAX 3 is fairly spectacular! Delivered in an enormous crate, the beast weighs simply over 30 kg and, with dimensions of 553 x 553 x 601 mm, requires not less than two individuals to move it. The neat packaging ensures that the printer arrives safely at your property.
Contained in the field are a number of instruments, an additional head for supplies that require excessive temperatures, or a PLA spool.
Unpacking is sort of straightforward and fast, every thing is properly defined, the handbook is even in French. You don’t have to assemble something with this mannequin, it’s prepared to make use of!
The printer has fairly a traditional design, it’s virtually cubic, with a big glass door on the entrance and one on the high. We remorse that from the skin the set is usually manufactured from plastic, however in truth it’s produced from a strengthened sheet metallic body that’s totally enclosed behind its plastic facet panels! Add to {that a} body with linear hole axles manufactured from high-hardness metal that requires little upkeep.
The construct quantity of the printer is 325 x 325 x 315mm, which is sort of massive and may go well with most people who find themselves on the lookout for a big format enclosed 3D printer.
A 3D printer that has quantity
The QIDI X-MAX 3 is a totally enclosed 3D printer with plastic facet panels to lure sizzling air inside and guarantee high-quality printing for high-temperature filaments. Included with the QIDI
The QIDI X-MAX 3 makes use of a core XY movement system with hole rods, which permits the system to maneuver sooner with out sacrificing print high quality.
The extruder specifically designed by QIDI makes use of a set of huge double gears, which permits higher filament grip and stronger extrusion power.
For leveling the mattress, the QIDI
The printer makes use of a 6mm thick aluminum heatbed with built-in magnets. The sort of sheet provides a powerful magnetic attraction for the PEI sheet and a comparatively secure floor with good tolerances. The truth is, this double-sided textured PEI sheet provided good help for many supplies in our testing.
To energy this enormous printer and chamber heater, QIDI makes use of a 450W 24V twin energy provide configuration.
As well as, you’ll have observed that this printer has a lightweight that illuminates the within of the machine, making certain higher visibility of your printing operations.
A strong 3D printer
Technically, the X-MAX 3 makes use of an X4 V1.1 motherboard (made by MKS) to run clippers. It has a 64-bit Cortex-A53 processor at 1.5 GHz, 1 GB of DDR3 RAM and eight GB of capability, which must be sufficient for the dependable operation of Klipper. The print velocity of the X-MAX 3 is 600 mm/sn with an acceleration of 20,000 mm/s² and an extrusion charge of 35 mm³/s (extruder temperature as much as 350 °C).
There may be an hermetic accent on the again that lets you place the spool of thread so it doesn’t drag all over the place. Beneath we’ve hidden your entire mainboard inside, in fact with an ON/OFF button, an ethernet socket and the facility socket. Notice that there’s additionally a USB port on high and there are two handles on the edges for transport.
The printer additionally contains a 5-inch resistive touchscreen with a decision of 800 x 480 pixels. It’s not as fairly as capacitive screens, but it surely does the job and we haven’t had any specific points utilizing it.
Given the scale of the printer and its excessive temperature printing capabilities, it is sensible to have a devoted chamber heater. This can be a 300W 24V unit that’s mounted on the underside left of the printer and might be turned on from the printer controls to warmth the chamber as much as 65°C.
You’ll be able to set the next temperature by way of the interface. Because of this, the printer heats up extra, however shouldn’t be as secure. It must also be famous that the heater can solely be switched on or off throughout operation of the machine.
While you begin the printer for the primary time, a easy tutorial (and in French) will enable you configure it in a couple of minutes from the printer’s display. As soon as that is finished, you can beg
in your first “print”. The filaments appropriate with this 3D printer are quite a few: PLA, ABS, ASA, PETG, TPU, PC, UltraPA, Nylon, and so on.
Pretty properly managed warmth
A chamber temperature sensor, positioned on the highest proper of the printer physique, controls the heater to make sure a secure temperature throughout printing. This function helps lots when printing massive components.
As talked about, the printer has few plastic facet panels to lure warmth inside, and in our opinion it lacks further insulation to make it extra vitality environment friendly and retain warmth higher.
With further insulation, the noise stage of the printer may very well be a bit decrease (however nonetheless okay), the case temperature might rise a bit extra and perhaps some printouts can be extra secure.
Additionally, to allow excessive printing speeds, there’s a fan on the appropriate facet of the printer, which is turning into an increasing number of widespread within the newest printers. Nonetheless, the fan right here is smaller than anticipated and it doesn’t reach creating “air cushion” when printing an object, for the reason that air duct, because of its dimension, directs the air over approx. 70% of the world to be printed.
Typically, when you plan to print a mannequin that doesn’t use the complete printable space, that shouldn’t be an issue so long as you be sure that to position the mannequin in the midst of the heated mattress to learn from the additional cooling. Nonetheless, if the mannequin occupies your entire print quantity, the cooling of the print will probably be much less homogeneous.
stick clippers
One of many foremost benefits of the QIDI X-MAX 3 is its clipper firmware, which is configured with many plugins and options, making it so versatile. The printer is WiFi appropriate (but additionally Ethernet) so it may be simply managed remotely.
The primary net interface chosen by QIDI is Fluidd with a “darkish mode” design and lots of options that can help you simply management your entire printer remotely. From fan velocity to printer acceleration to a listing of macros or G-code preview plugins.
Among the many attention-grabbing plugins we are able to additionally point out KAMP, which permits the printer to examine solely the part it must print a particular mannequin, with out essentially making a full measurement of the mattress earlier than every print. This protects plenty of time, particularly when it’s essential scan a big print space just like the X-MAX 3.
Lastly, the one small remorse about this configuration is the dearth of a webcam that lets you remotely see what is occurring throughout printing. Whereas it’s attainable so as to add one as Klipper permits it, it’s not straightforward to configure. Given the scale of the printer, QIDI might have added a small webcam in one of many corners of the case to make it simpler to observe the printouts.
QIDISlicer software program
One very good enchancment that QIDI has made to its line of printers is the change of the slicing software program to a model of Prusa Slicer referred to as QIDISlicer. This variation brings vital enhancements within the printer’s usability, with well-matched profiles completely matched to clipper printers just like the X-MAX 3. It’s handy and every thing might be finished reside and remotely.
After connecting the QIDI X-MAX 3 to the software program, you’ll be able to obtain profiles for various filament sorts and print qualities relying on what you need to print. Most significantly, you’ll be able to ship the generated G-code file on to the printer through WiFi connection and print it with one click on.
high quality of the prints
The print high quality of the X-MAX 3 is sort of good, admittedly it wants testing and changes, however when you’ve discovered it, you’re protected to proceed printing! So I examined totally different fashions with totally different strain settings and filament sorts and generally the outcomes have been good.
The element high quality of the prints is great, particularly in “tremendous mode”, with even layers and a clean print floor. The printer’s direct extrusion system ensures exact and constant extrusion, contributing to good print high quality. The heating plate permits good adhesion of the primary layers.
For printing with high-temperature printing supplies reminiscent of PETG, ABS, and Nylon, QIDI provides a second print head within the package deal that may face up to increased temperatures. The change may be very straightforward and provides good outcomes. As well as, the printer’s heated physique helps preserve a secure temperature throughout printing, leading to higher layer adhesion and fewer warping.
Notice that after printing it’s typically essential to complete the mannequin by sanding and/or portray. A few of these prints comprise immediately printed removable components and subsequently require no additional meeting.
A present help
In our testing, that is not often reported, however we needed to name help for a number of points and clarifications on the printer’s capabilities. The latter was very responsive and offered us with solutions in lower than 48 hours whereas fixing our issues!
The place can you purchase it?
The QIDI we remind you that for this value you get a printer with a print quantity of 325 x 325 x 315 mm, direct extrusion system, closed printer with heating system, contact interface and help for printing at excessive temperatures.
Purchase this 3D printer
Our opinion
The QIDI X-MAX 3 is a strong and well-designed 3D printer that may print a wide range of supplies whereas providing good print high quality. Admittedly, QIDI nonetheless has room to enhance its machine, thanks specifically to a whole and modular firmware, however having a 3D printer prepared to make use of out of the field continues to be very satisfying! For 3D printing fans, the QIDI X-MAX 3 represents one other step ahead, if no more, in your journey as a producer. It provides good worth for cash for these on the lookout for a high-quality and high-performance 3D printer.