QiDi i-fast: 80C Actively heating chamber, 3D printer made to print Nylon Carbon Fiber, ABS, ASA

00:00 Intro
02:17 Unbox and setup Wi-Fi
03:51 Test print with PLA
05:13 Dual extruder calibration and test print with multiple colors
06:22 Actively heating chamber test print with ABS and ASA
07:50 Breakaway filament as support and print with ASA
08:58 Flexible TPU 95A test print
09:31 Nylon Carbon fiber PA12-CF test prints
11:19 Pros and Cons
19:56 Conclusions
Welcome back to Aurora Tech Channel. Today, I am going to review the latest QiDi i-fast, where they recently added a few upgrades. I previously tested the QiDi X-Max which is already quite large, this i-fast is even larger, it’s the largest printer I have reviewed so far in terms of footprint. Its total weight including the shipping box is almost 100 pounds. It’s fully enclosed and the major feature is the actively heating chamber. The maximum chamber temperature can reach up to 80C. This is the first consumer printer at around $2500 to have this feature.
Besides that, it came with 2 sets of dual-extruders. One set is for printing regular temperature filaments like PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, and TPU, while the dual-extruder is for printing Nylon, PA-CF or Polycarbonate. It allows you to print multiple colors or different filaments at the same time. Besides that, it also comes with MGN15 linear rails on the X, Y, and dual Z-axis. The print bed is a one-piece thick aluminum with magnets and a powdered PEI print surface. It uses strong springs and a double lock mechanism under the print bed, and it came with 2 MeanWell 350W power supplies with a combined power of 700W. The heated bed uses one PSU, the hotend, and the chamber heat component. The rest of the printer is powered by another PSU. The print volume is 360x250mm with a 320mm Z-height; it supports a USB drive and WiFi printing. It runs a 32-bit motherboard with silent stepper drivers and an auto power-off relay module. There are 2 airtight filament boxes for your to use with some moisture-sensitive filaments like Nylon Carbon Fiber. It looks even better than those $5000 printers on the market in terms of hardware. I would like to thank QiDi for sending me this machine to review, and with that, let’s get started.
Affiliate links:
Buy QiDi i-fast from Amazon:
amzn.to/3Kef8pe
Buy QiDi i-fast from QiDi official store:
qidi3d.com/
QiDi Airtight filament box:
amzn.to/3wqAZUS
QiDi PA12-CF filament:
amzn.to/3ceDF0R
Other filaments used in this video:
Eryone filament (as low as $10 per roll, min 10 rolls)
PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU:
auroratechchannel.com/links/e...
Overture ABS filament:
amzn.to/3MLwcmu
Overture TPU filament:
amzn.to/3FgWx9y
Polymaker ASA filament:
amzn.to/3wl4Gqo

[@Keveira]

I know this printer quite well. Here's some things for the viewers considering this printer: * The chamber heater reaches 80c but the air inside the chamber reaches a max of around 60c. * The rail you're measuring on the top of the x-gantry bar is only there to provide stiffness to the x-gantry. There was a problem where the x-gantry would bend when using the heated chamber and this was the solution. The actual rail is underneath and I think it's wider than 15mm, I can't remember right now. * That high temp hotend with the blue heatsink should go up to 350c, not just 300c. * That high temp hotend also has a considerable gap in the filament path between the extruder mount and the heatthroat/heatbreak and also around the extruder gears, which allows filament to bend and jam there. You'll get this jam often when using softer flex filaments and filaments which may get too soft when using the chamber heating. QIDIs older extruder was better only in this regard, this new one is better in every other way. * The low temp hotend also has the filament gap, but only around the extruder gears. * The bed *may* be flat, or be 95% flat with a corner/edge curling up or down. Depends on your luck. * Your X calibration was substantially off, by 0.8 to 1.0mm. Y was close enough I use these printers almost every day and it works most of the time. There's room for improvement but also no other *prebuilt* printers in the same price range have the same capability. There were many bugs and rough edges that I have worked with QIDI to fix, which shouldn't be the case.

[@retromodernart4426]

"There were many bugs and rough edges that I have worked with QIDI to fix, which shouldn't be the case." At least QIDI worked to fix it.

[@Todestelzer]

I think I will wait for the Snapmaker J1. It has mirror mode, is faster and has resonance compensation. It is a lot cheaper too. Only thing that would be nice is a camera and a heated chamber for the J1.

[@Keveira]

@@Todestelzer yeah a better choice if you don't want a heated chamber and larger build volume

[@Todestelzer]

@@Keveira im adding a heater to my Voron now. 12€ for controller and 18€ for the heater. 1€ for a thermal fuse. Should be easy to add to the J1 too.

[@oleurgast730]

While a active heated chamber is great, I think there is still room for optimizing passive heated printers. I use both Ikea Lack enclosure and the Prusa enclosure; also a creality tent. Due to a mild winter here in Germany and high energy cost my rooms are only at about 10°C (for me it is a nice temperature...). So 3d-printers without enclosure do not work. With the Prusa enclosure I reached about 13°C more inside the chamber, Ikea Lack 14°C more and the Tent also about 14°C. Last summer I reached more than 40°C (ambient room temperature about 30°C). I got about 6 °C extra in Winter just by putting my duvet over the enclosure (of course just for a fast print, as I need my duvet at night for myself)... So most passive enclosures still let escape a lot of the heat. They are more "windshield" than real thermal insulation. So maybe the most cheap solution if you need high temp only on a few prints might be to add LED+Camera and a box made from Styrofoarm or mineral wool to put over the enclosure and also insulate under the enclosure. While you might not reach 60°C inside you might get near 50°C - and save a lot of energy. This winter I had no prints with materials requiring high temps (also insulation material has no good availability at the moment), but maybe next winter I might do some further tests...

[@enochroot9438]

that moment when the 3d printer weighs more than the reviewer...

[@petetongue6561]

😂

[@AutismusPrime69]

Haha

[@ledogge6436]

💀

[@smkole2]

We have an i-fast that was purchased about 6 months ago. Removed the shroud around the bed to tighten the springs all the way to increase stability and not hit the plastic shroud with the nozzles. It helps since the bed is heavy and can bounce. It is hard to see how a print is going with the star location and giant head. Support from Qidi is excellent and they will make a custom profile for any slicer you use. Print times are rather slow though. Love your channel. Keep up the great work.

[@supergiantbubbles]

The thoroughness of your reviews is outstanding.

[@AerialWaviator]

What a well tested and through review. The projects worked on in the review were as interesting as the review. Great feedback for the manufacture to improve on.

[@32587msw]

Great job guys. Keep up the great reviews. I look forward to your videos.

[@jubb1984]

I must say, you guys deserve way more subs :) Thanks for another excellent video. I would love it tho if you could do a little overlay of speed, layer height, print time etc. when you show the printing timelapses.

[@CherryAims]

You two are a master class in reviewing tech. Thank you for explaining so well and logically. The graphics are clear and easily understood. Id like to ask you if you would put out a list of best printers at different price ranges and sizes just before Black Friday. It would help many of us spend our money wiser.

[@NeroricK]

Very well done for review and use of this printer. I've seen others and this one was had more details. I appreciate the level of detail aiding anyone with still mixed feeling to make a solid decision. Indeed this is currently the best printer on the market for the price. Thank you.

[@alphonsefrascato3342]

Great review of the i-fast I just received mine yesterday and it's been printing not stop sense the unboxing lol.

[@stollfamily3914]

Another great video - keep up the great work. I really appreciate that you are moving up market to the non-bed slingers and higher end "pro-sumer" products. Entry level, hobbyist printers are a lost cost intro to 3D printing, but come with the frustrations and more limited capability. I am hoping that Creality will bring out the next iteration of the Ender 5 Plus with 32bit electronics, IDEX (or at least dual attached extruders), and enclosed print volume as part of the printer. The race is on as the printer market separates into: 1. hobbyist 2. pro-sumer 3. professional design / engineering 4. production machines 5. specialty machines including metal printing, bio-materials

[@melioratewithnate]

Great work!

[@petetongue6561]

This is the best printer review channel by far.

[@avejst]

Impressive hardware Great video as always Good points, Software/interface matters - a LOT Thanks for sharing your experiences with all of us :-)

[@garywalsh7322]

Another great review! Thank you.

[@jocelyndrolet4610]

My favorite KZbin channel. You deserve much much more subscribers!

[@SpiderslidePics]

So enjoy watching your videos!

[@marijuanas]

Excellent review as always!

[@JP-xd6fm]

I loved all the videos you've done so far, but I'm concerned you are loosing grip here. You had stated "the print looks great" in both PLA and ABS prints and you can see clear defects on the print, ok no warp no cracks, but the canaster had a bad hole on the left of the image and the PLA had some ozed filament. Maybe just adjusting the slice settings will fix it, but you can't say is a perfect print based on those prints, I'm sorry. Please keep it up with the good unnbiased opinions and reviews I'm looking for when I watch your videos. Cheers

[@walterdubeau9815]

Awesome A very thorough review

[@bwselectronic]

I haven't had any problems running Eryone PLA. Surprisingly a lot of the inexpensive PLA filaments I've tried have worked well.

[@RB-yq7qv]

Very good review

[@TheJustonemore]

Great videos, why are you're not at 1million , dang girl your good

[@16jms]

I'm still not quite sure whether you're 13 or 30, but your content is certainly great

[@tgirard123]

Another plus has been Qidi's support. They are very responsive and really try to address your issue. I bought my i-fast about the same time as they did and it has been a solid performer

[@paulcumber4732]

hey my friend keep up the good work

[@DennisMurphey]

Wow You are so lucky and seem to have earned vendor respect to be sent such expensive machine. And respect is well earned in my opinion. Great review, Cost is beyond my means but still good to know what features are considered upgrades to us regular Creality users. Use of Nylon Carbon Fiber is interesting. You guys do a wonderful job, I know its not easy and takes great effort and time. You are learning and using skill that will help you the rest of your lives Take care, Dennis

[@AndrewAHayes]

I think printing with larger nozzles may be the winning formula when using support filaments

[@defusemani]

At that cost, the printer should have touchless bed leveling at this point.

[@whiskeyinthejar24]

Bltouch doesn't work at 60 degrees if I remember correctly.

[@chrisryan3445]

Superb video once again. Keep up the great work - by far one of the most expert channels I have found on 3D printers.

[@carbide1968]

another great review guys. I'm just a intermediate level skill and the 2nd head just seems like a pain in the butt. looks very good otherwise.

[@retromodernart4426]

I have an iFast. When printing things that need that 2nd filament (support, other material, other color, etc.) it's great.

[@robymartini]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@1supertec]

Hi that was a very comprehensive and informative review and I was wondering if you know if this machine is running klipper or marlin?.

[@tweekFPV]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@buzzbbird]

WOW, this is $300 less costly than the Sermoon D3. Now that you have reviewed both and they aim directly at the same buyer/user, can you do a side-by-side comparison video?

[@shenzhenpingpong]

Will you be reviewing the qidi x-cf pro?

[@smallnuts2]

I'm thinking of getting this printer. My ender 3 just gives me peoblems. I was wondering, is there a manual and so tutorials on this printer? What about broken parts? Is parts easy to get?

[@ALMXx317]

Hi there! does this printer keep toxic fumes from PA CF away? Not really experienced with 3D printing nylon and I just want to know if it is safe to print.

[@creepinonthebabes]

i have $500-$600 to spend on a second printer what would u suggest ? my 1st printer is Cr10 Smart. things i would like Direct Drive, Auto bed level, 300C hot end all metal

[@jokersdance199]

Hello Aurora, I purchased an i-fast a few months ago and I recently decided to purchase some new nozzles for the low temp extruders but they don't fit into the heat block threads. They're too big. My 7mm wrench that fits the original nozzles is too small to fit the new ones that I bought (MK10 Nozzle for 3D Printer, 18 Pcs M7 Brass Extruder Head Hotend Nozzles 0.2mm, 0.3mm, 0.4mm, 0.5mm, 0.6mm, 0.8mm, 1.0mm fit 1.75mm Filament). Can you please tell me what size/type I should have purchased? I can't find any definitive answer online.

[@retromodernart4426]

Ask QIDI, send them an email, they'll tell you within a few hours or a day.

[@TheCuteShops]

What is the max volumetric flow rate for qidi i-fast ?

[@nunyabusiness9043NunyaBiz]

You are so impressive on all fronts: your organization, comprehensive coverage and testing, articulate delivery and so on. I graduated with honors from a technical writing program, even if it was decades ago, so I know whereof I speak (write).

[@TestTest-eb8jr]

👍🖒👍@Aurora

[@bobabbott8370]

What pen do you use?

[@iamdmc]

$2500 COST in my country (UK) WOW It gets a Meh from me. With a DIY enclosure, octoprint, and a good starting point like Creality S1 (with metal hotend upgrade, hardened steel nozzles, PEI bed) you're still only at about $400 - with something you can print the same tough-to-print filaments with.

[@whiskeyinthejar24]

You aren't going to slap an enclosure over an ender and get 60 degree chamber temps. If you do, your rubber wheels, stepper motors, boards etc will be very unhappy. You also aren't going to get dual extruders are you?

[@royaldecreeforthechurchofm8409]

Lol wat?

[@christiangray3757]

Aura what would you consider the best enclosed 3D printer for a intermediate user?

[@redline6871]

Bambu labs x1c

[@outkast187]

@@redline6871 LOL they wont even disclose print size

[@EvilSewnit]

Flying bear ghost

[@jon9947]

So a non printed bearing can spin freely exactly like a bearing is supposed to? :)

[@retromodernart4426]

I think the point was that the bearing fit the hole properly, LOL

[@ELEVOPR]

Im new to 3D Printing and Looking for something high end, This way I don't need to upgrade in the future well at least not for a while. Looking to get into 3D printing to earn some side money. Would this be a good Printer for a beginner who is looking to make some side cash? Thanks. I really want something that just works and I don't have to tweak it or finigle with it to much.

[@retromodernart4426]

Probably a Bambu Lab X1 Carbon Combo (currently USD $1500) would do what you need now and in the future. Lots of serious reviews on KZbin.

[@jlukash100]

Perhaps you got a pretty good printer. This was by far the most frustrating printer I ever spend money. I regret everytime I see it in the corner. Was never able to get the camera working. Wifi never worked. Leveling is just bananas for a $2500 machine is like a ender 3 with a enclosure.

[@codydorris3534]

Contact their after sales team about the Wi-Fi and camera. They have always been helpful. Leveling was always a pain for me a pei build plate made it better but I know closer to the front of the build plate it’s flatter

[@manchegocheese997]

I feel the same, but not because of the manual leveling. My Creality Ender 3 V2 cost a fraction of the price and reliably produces superior results using PLA, I'm trying to resolve the issues with Qidi at the moment. I am puzzled as to why the I-Fast receives such positive reviews, even the quality of the prints in this video are disappointing for a £2000 machine.

[@retromodernart4426]

@@manchegocheese997 I have an iFast, it's been great. From what I've seen on KZbin, it looks like there's a bit of a "Quality Control Lottery", most iFast printers are great, some are duds. QIDI seems very responsive, though, did they ever fix your problems?

[@manchegocheese997]

@@retromodernart4426 Qidi have been very responsive but I am still frustrated with the printer. Initially, I contacted them about the poor PLA print quality, by poor I am referring to ghosting and a relatively rough finish compared to my Ender 3 V2. By changing settings they did manage to improve the quality but at the expense of speed. I asked them to send photos of the same model that they printed on their printer and it was no better than mine. My Ender 3 still does a much better job with PLA in half the time and without the hassle. I then discovered that the aluminium bed was very bent; if a straight edge was placed across it, it was possible to slide the leveling sheet underneath. Qidi were very good and sent out a replacement immediately. I bought the I-Fast mainly so that I could print tougher materials like Nylon and ABS but I find it so inconsistent. I might get reasonably good results one time and think, great we're all good now, but this isn't repeatable. As for the lack of auto bed leveling; I didn't think this would be an issue because it shouldn't need adjusting often, but it doesn't seem to be very consistent. Also, filament jamming and failure to extrude are not uncommon issues when using Nylon and ABS.

[@retromodernart4426]

@@manchegocheese997 That is unfortunate - in my case, I guess I was lucky, I was actually surprised at how well and consistent my prints came out, the print quality was and is very nice even for very detailed functional prints and dual material prints. Do you use high-quality filaments and a filament drier? That can have a big effect. There are also ways to improve the feed path in the iFast, like putting a Bowden tube (teflon tube) all the way from the filament roll up to the run-out sensor, and another tube from the run-out sensor to the print head also (or use a tube and don't run the filament through the filament run-out sensor). You should look at the "Meliorate with Nate" channel on KZbin, he has loads of really good iFast videos with simple improvements to it for better results, and he answers questions pretty quickly. I hope you can get your iFast working to your satisfaction!

[@3dPrintingMillennial]

So... Save money and wait for the Bambu Lab instead? I really wish they'd hurry up and open general shipping. I need a new printer

[@taham6757]

2500 the way u say it is funny u i kept hearing it 500 dollar but after repeating the section i find out 😂

[@fredtjack23]

I wouldn't X out anything after just one print good day.

[@gigifrana940]

If you like this printer, just check the link below and go for bamboo lab printer 😜

[@MotoRich900]

I wish the Bambu had a dual head like the I-Fast

[@MattJonesYT]

Requesting a review of using a G10 bed and gcode to automatically pop the print off a bed similar to kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6fPlqGdjth9mtk and how it compares to using a VAAPR bed from 3dque like kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGeYeqZnj7J8f8k

[@CasualnRandom]

This or Bambu lab x1c?

[@AuroraTech]

If budget is allowed, the BambuLab X1C would be a safer choice.

[@CasualnRandom]

@@AuroraTech thank you for responding. Isn't the Qidi ifast about $1700 while Bambu LAB X1C is about $1500 currently? How well is the Bambu Lab printing with PVA support material compared to Quidi ifast in your experience?

[@AuroraTech]

The X1C is just more advanced. If you dry the PVA filament and apply some $3 Elmer's Craft Bond Extra Strength glue on the bed, it should print OK on both machines.

[@CasualnRandom]

​@@AuroraTechthanks for the info. Isn't it more wasteful and slower on the X1C with a single extruder in this case?

[@manchegocheese997]

I owned an i-fast for around 6 months and it is one of the worst things I have ever bought; it is a slow lumbering oaf of a machine. I never got a decent quality print from it in any material and it was far from fast. I sold the I-fast and bought a Bambu Lab X1C and I couldn't be happier with the performance, the consistency, speed and quality is astonishing. Even with a single extruded the X1C is faster than the I-Fast but it does waste more filament.

[@froggymountain]

QIDI I-FAST has high failure extruders. Either do not feed filament or plug up easily. QIDI DOES NOT HONOR WARRANTY.

[@Roskellan]

A heated chamber up to 80C cannot be good for stepper motors, belts, and bearings.

[@retromodernart4426]

The heater reaches 80 deg. C, the chamber temperature only reaches about 60 deg. C.

[@whiskeyinthejar24]

The motors aren't in the chamber by the looks of it. I imagine that's part of why it's so large.

[@JB-NZ]

I don't agree with some of your comments about the prints looking good etc, some of them are clearly not good and had clear issues... Unsure why they call this the -fast model, as it is not fast... That alignment you did at the start, also did not look good What is going on here...

[@manchegocheese997]

This is the case with all the reviews I've seen for this printer, the prints don't look good. My Ender 3 V2 produces superior quality PLA prints in less time than my I-Fast; I don't know how this is possible.

[@rampart1234]

Too expensive for all the weird issues that it has. At this price point it should be %99.9 perfect . QIDI always seems to have all of these weird issues. The issues this printer has are quite evident and should have been addressed before final production units were made. Therefore it seems to me that QIDI does not do ANY pre production analyses of their printers they just go straight from the drawing board to production. Silly company and silly price for the problems it has. We all expect problems with cheap printers, this one is not cheap but it is very large and very heavy.

[@TheOrgonaut]

lol for that price i can 2 bambu x1 lot faster and better tech

[@librasd8087]

But no heated chamber, no dual hotend and a smaller print volume, they don't aim at the same market Btw, the bambu carbon (that can print cf filled filament) with their mmu is 1400€ and this printer is 2300€ and they give you also a spare carriage that can print cf so you can't buy 2 bambu if you want to have similar capabilities

[@AutismusPrime69]

Lighten up on your reviews. You parents arent there waiting to beat you.

[@1supertec]

Hi I just wanted to add that qidi now has a support filiment for this printer but it's crazy expensive, $65 per kg 🤯 and a new one coming out called green support that's even more expensive 🫣