The Qidi Tech X-Max is an affordable FDM/FFF 3D printer that supports a wide range of filaments. Read this Qidi Tech X Max review to find out the specs, features, price and quality of print of this machine.
Qidi Tech X-Max Review
AVAILABLE ON TOP3DSHOP
The Qidi Tech X-Max is manufactured by the Chinese company, Qidi Technology. This 3D printer comes with a bunch of unique features, is functional and albeit affordable (check current price).
The printer has a large build volume and can handle a wide range of materials, including TPU and Nylon. Therefore, if you are a small workshop or advanced 3D printing hobbyist, you definitely would want to read this review.
Qidi Tech X Max Specs
General Specs
| Technology | Fused deposition modeling (FDM) |
| Year | 2018 |
| Assembly | Fully-assembled |
| Mechanical arrangement | Cartesian |
| Manufacturer | Qidi Technology |
3D Printing Properties
| Build volume | 300 x 250 x 300 mm (11.8 x 9.8 x 11.8 inches) |
| Feeder system | Direct drive |
| Print head | Single |
| Nozzle size | 0.4 mm |
| Max. hot end temperature | 300°C |
| Max. heated bed temperature | 100°C |
| Print bed material | Magnetic removable plate |
| Frame | Aluminum |
| Bed leveling | Manual (assisted) |
| Connectivity | USB drive, Ethernet cable, WiFi |
| Print recovery | Yes |
| Camera | No |
Materials
| Filameter diameter | 1.75 mm |
| Third-party filaments | Yes |
| Materials | ABS, PLA, TPU, nylon, carbon fiber, and PC |
Software
| Recommended slicer | Qidi Print (based on Cura). |
| Operating systems | Windows, Mac |
Dimensions & Weight
| Frame dimensions | 600 x 550 x 600 mm (23.6” x 21.7” x 23.6”) |
| Weight | 27.9 kg (61.5 lbs) |
Large Build Volume
The Qidi Tech X-Max can handle a wide range of materials that the average 3D printer for beginners cannot. Therefore, the printer easily surpasses the likes of Prusa, Tevo, and Creality but does not really quite reach the professional level.
Still, this printer has a number of features that professionals would find useful. However, if you are looking for a 3D printer under $2000, this is definitely a great pick.
Design
The Qidi Tech X-Max 3D printer is quite bulky. The machine weighs just under 30Kg.
On the exterior, the machine sports some plastic covering that makes it look sleek. In the interior, there is a removable magnetic bed and an inbuilt light that will allow you to see how your print job is progressing.
The magnetic bed is, however, not the best on the market. During our tests, we found out that it sometimes scuffed up. Also, we found it tricky to remove thin layers of filament off the bed.
The Qidi Tech X-Max looks sturdy and has a thick frame at the front. At the top of the frame is the touchscreen with the operational controls. However, the printing starts just behind that frame. Therefore, to see the printing job in action, you have to ensure that the printer is in an open space.
The machine easily handles more advanced materials. However, it also has some design features that are not useable. For example, the filament spool sits unenclosed at the top of the machine. We think this is a flaw since it does not protect the filament from absorbing moisture in the air.
We also found the filament spool holder tends to tangle up the filament, wrapping it around and around until it gets stuck. To solve this problem, we printer a new spool holder.
The Qidi Tech X-Max is a straight-forward and easy to use 3D printer. We love the features of the printer, which improve the user experience. For example, the printer has a removable print bed, a lighting inside the unit, a simple-to-navigate touchscreen, and Wi-Fi connectivity.
The printer has a build volume of 300 x 250 x 300mm. However, it does not have filament detection feature. Therefore, when you are printing a large model and run out of filament during the job, you will have to start again.
To avoid such an experience, you can tack on something to detect the filament on the printer.
Qidi Tech X-Max 3D Printer Materials
The Qidi X-Max prints quality models. The printer reaches resolutions of up to 100 microns.
Coming to materials, the print can comfortably print ABS. The enclosed build space ensures that high temperatures required for printing various high-temperature materials, such as Nylon, are reached.
However, if you will be printing such hygroscopic materials, it would be better to get a filament dryer where you can store filaments to prevent them from absorbing moisture from the air.
If you want to use the Qidi X-Max 3D printer to print more demanding materials like carbon fiber, you might first want to check the nozzle. The printer has a brass nozzle, which doesn’t hold well for such demanding materials. Also, make sure you use the right extruder. The Qidi has two changeable extruders, i.e., one for printing PLA, ABS and TPU and the other for printing PC, carbon fiber, and nylon.
Qidi Tech X-Max Software
The Qidi Tech X-Max 3D printer comes with its own proprietary slicer known as the Qidi Print. However, the printer can also be used with Cura.
Qidi Tech X-Max Price
The Qidi Tech X-Max is not a cheap printer (check current price). However, it definitely more affordable than the MakerBot, Tiertime, and Ultimaker 3D printers.
If you wanted an enclosed 3D printer for mostly printing ABS and PLA, the Qidi X-Max will be a high-end machine for this function. There are other cheaper enclosed materials that print these two materials quite well.
However, if you want a 3D printer that offers more than what you will find in budget or beginner level 3D printers, the Qidi Tech X-Max is for you. The printer not only handles PLA and ABS materials extremely well but can also manage other high-demanding materials such as Nylon, PC and more.
Qidi Tech X-Max Features
Below is an overview of the features of the Qidi Tech X-Max 3D printer.
Multiple Materials
The X-Max is designed to handle all kinds of materials, including PLA, ABS, PC, carbon fiber, TPU, and Nylon.
The printer’s build plate can heat up to 100°C while the extruder can reach 260°C temperature. The enclosed build volume of the ensures that the temperature around stays consistent. The printer easily handles ABS as it does PLA. We also tested the machine with Nylon and the prints came out awesome.
Large Print Volume
The Qidi X-Max has a reasonable build volume of 300 x 250 x 300 mm. This is large enough for most 3D printing needs.
If you will need to print larger materials, check out these large 3D printers on the market.
Removable Build Plate
The printer has a removable magnetic build plate, which you can bend to make it easy for the prints to pop off. However, getting thin layers of filament off the plate proved to be challenging for us.
Closed Print Chamber
The enclosed print chamber helps to ensure that the build area maintains consistent temperature during the printing process. Maintaining consistent temperature is critical when working with materials such as ABS and Nylon.
Interchangeable Extruders
The Qidi X-Max 3D printer comes with two extruders (A and B). The A extruder is already installed in the machine, and handles PLA, ABS and PETG. If you want to print high-temperature materials such as PC, carbon fiber, nylon and TPU, you’ll have to swap the A extruder with the B extruder.
Other Features
Other features of the Qidi Tech X-Max 3D printer include a double Z-axis for keeping everything stable, a 5-inch color touchscreen, Wi-Fi connectivity, an air filter, and an auto leveling option.
The machine is shipped with 1kg of filament and a toolkit. Therefore, it will only take you minutes to be up and running, ready to print your first model.
AVAILABLE ON TOP3DSHOP
