In this QIDI Tech I-Fast review, we look at all aspects of this 3D printer, from the features to print quality to price. Read on.
3D printers with dual extruders that can print PLA/PVA as well as carbon fiber composites materials are usually expensive. While there are a few decent dual extruder options, such as the Raise3D Pro 2, they usually fail in either the quality or price.
However, the situation may be changed with the entry of the QIDI Tech I-Fast 3D printer.
The Qidi Tech i-Fast is a semi-professional 3D printer with a large print chamber and dual extruder. This 3D printer is also compatible with a variety of print materials.
QIDI TECH i-Fast Review
AVAILABLE ON QIDI
The recently launched QIDI TECH i-Fast is the largest and most functional QIDI 3D printer to date. The printer stands out from the competition because of the following attributes:
- Compatibility with most common print materials, including engineering plastics such as nylon
- High printing speed,
- High print quality
To start off, keeping in mind its large print chamber of 330 x 250 x 320 mm, and the current price, this printer seems to offer great value for money.
Other features of the 3D printer include:
- Support of ruby nozzles
- Resume printing function
- Filament runout sensor
- Comfortable proprietary software
- New linear rail structure to ensure high quality
- 5-inch full-color touchscreen
- Wi-Fi connectivity
In this QIDI TECH i-Fast review, we’ll find out whether the printer is worth adding to your print farm.
What’s in the Box?
The printer is shipped in a cardboard box with protective elements. Inside the box, you will find the following items:
- Quick start manual
- Power cable
- USB cable
- 16GB USB flash drive
- Hex keys and screwdrivers
- Scraper
- Toolbox
- Spare parts
- Two spool holders
- PLA filament spool
- Extruder
- Detachable build plate
Watch the unboxing video below to get a feel of the 3D printer:
Features of QIDI TECH i-Fast
| Assembly | Fully-assembled |
| Closed print chamber | Enclosed |
| Compatible with 3rd party filaments? | Yes an open material system |
| Display | 3.5-inch touch screen |
| Extruder type | Dual |
| Filament runout sensor | Yes |
| Frame | Aluminum |
| Heated chamber | Yes, up to 60°C |
| Manufacturer | QIDI TECHNOLOGY |
| Manufacturer country | China |
| Max extruder temperature | 300°C |
| Mechanical arrangement | Cartesian-XY-head |
| Nozzle size, mm | 0.4 mm |
| Outer dimensions millimeters (xyz) | 710 x 510 x 670 mm |
| Print speed | up to 150 mm/s |
| Printable material(s) | PLA, Nylon, TPU, PETG, ABS, PC, Wood, CF and other materials |
| Printer type | Filament |
| Resume printing function | Yes |
| Weight kg | 33 kg |
| Build volume | 330 x 250 x 320 mm |
| Min layer height | 50 Microns |
| Technology | FFF FDM |
| Price | $2,499.00 |
QIDI TECH i-Fast Performance
Sizes and Print Volume
While the manufacturer emphasizes that this printer is fast, its most obvious advantage is the build volume. The printer’s build volume is 330 x 250 x 320mm. Therefore, it easily compete with other large format 3D printers like the Ender 3 Max.
The I-Fast weighs about 33kg and its overall external dimensions are 710 x 510 x 670 mm. Keep this in mind when choosing a place for installation. If you will be putting it on a desk, here are some of the best 3D printer tables that we recommend.
Precision Printing and Materials
allows you to print in layers from 50 to 400 microns and create highly accurate models. The print quality also depends on the design of this printer, which includes a ruby extruder nozzle and dual Z-guides.
The print media can be selected from a wide range of filaments, including ABS, PLA, PETG, nylon, and even plastics with added metallic powder. This is possible because the main extruder heats up to 300°C. Moreover, it is abrasion resistant thanks to the ruby nozzle.
Print Bed
The I-Fast print bed heats up to 100°C. The enclosed print chamber is equipped with a thermostat, which comes in handy when you are printing capricious materials. The platform cover is removable and magnetic. This simplifies the removal of ready-made prints.
Dual Extruder
i-Fast does not use IDEX (independent dual extrusion or separate dies). However, its extruder height can be adjusted. When you are using only one extruder, the second extruder rises to avoid damaging the model.
The dual extruder allows you to print models with soluble and easily removable supports.
Connectivity
Qidi Tech iFast can be connected via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or USB.
Control
The printer is equipped with a modern 5″ color touch screen with an intuitive interface. The screen displays all the necessary functions, including webcam, calibration, preheating, filament settings, and so on.
In the settings menu, you can do a number of things, including setting the chamber temperature.
Pros and Cons of QIDI TECH i-Fast
Pros
1. Chamber volume
The i-Fast’s build volume is 14.1 x 9.8 x 12.5 inches, or 330 x 250 x 320 mm. Therefore, it competes with other large semi-professional and professional-grade FDM printers.
2. Material compatibility
i-Fast prints with almost any filament on the market with a melting point of up to 300°C. This is possible thanks to the ruby nozzle and the thermostatic chamber.
Equipped with multiple fans and heating elements, the i-Fast can maintain a stable temperature inside. Whether you print with the door open or closed, the printer provides suitable printing conditions for any plastic.
i-Fast also uses direct extrusion with direct filament feed. This makes it easy to use flexible plastics like flex and nylon. The printer has two extruders; double-nozzle and direct drive. One extruder heats up to 250°C, while the other all-metal heat up to 300 C. The all-metal extruder can be used with high-temperature and abrasive filaments.
3. Print Speed and Accuracy
Qidi Tech i-Fast not only prints almost any filament, but does so fast. The printer’s double Z-axis guides significantly speed up printing. According to our tests, the printer is 20-40% faster than other printers. This means that the printer speed is 80–100 mm/s.
Print accuracy is also impressive, thanks to a combination of hardware and software settings. Axial guiding systems, powerful extruders and advanced temperature control settings provide stability and print quality to produce models with smooth surfaces, flat bottoms, virtually zero artifacts and flawless overlap.
The i-Fast comes with QIDI proprietary software that is easy to use to prepare 3D models. However, if you wish, you can also use third-party slicers such as Cura and Simplify3D. Check our guide on the best slicers for 3D printing.
Below are some models we printed with the QIDI Tech i-Fast.
To begin, we printer a spiral tower made of ABS from Rec3D. The tower was printed with a single extruder with the nozzle heated up to 245°C.
- Layer height: 0.2 mm
- print speed: 80 mm/s
- Infill: 20%.
For the next tes, we printed a model using two hotends (the second extruder using PVA). This model is part of a quadcopter with complex geometry. We used blue E-Sun PLA 1.75 for the main material, and E-Sun PVA for the supports.
When the quadcopter model finished printing, we put it in warm water for one hour to remove PVA. This is how the model turned out:
As you can see, the printer produced models of high quality.
4. Convenience
i-Fast delivers a first-class user experience for users of all skill levels. It all starts with sturdy and smart packaging, great instructions and plug-and-play functionality. Several design enhancements such as a 180-degree chamber door and large filament holders that can accommodate spools of up to 5kg make the printer even more comfortable to use.
No modifications are required to print high quality models right out of the box. The user interface of the conveniently located control screen is designed for quick and easy access, reading and use. It is also very easy to load plastic and remove printed models from the 3D printer.
Cons of QIDI TECH i-Fast
1. Dimensions and weight
Before purchasing the i-Fast, make sure you have somewhere to place it. The printer should be conveniently located on a stable platform of appropriate dimensions. You hardly want to move a 33kg printer often. Therefore, it would be it would be better to provide it with a permanent “residence”.
2. Price
Today, there are many budget 3D printers on the market. However, the QIDI Tech i-Fast is one of the most expensive consumer FDM 3D printers on the market. Still, the high price is justified by its capabilities.
AVAILABLE ON QIDI
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