Everyone needs a quality 3D printer that prints different materials at boosted speeds. So, our QIDI X-Smart 3 3D Printer Review will discuss an ideal FDM printer you can start working with.
The X-Smart 3 can print up to 500mm/s while having multiple features to boost print quality and accuracy. This 3D printer is a product worth looking at, so continue reading our QIDI X-Smart 3 3D Printer Review. Here, we will discuss its design, functions, specifications, features, and how it works.
QIDI X-Smart 3 3D Printer Packaging
The printer arrived in a standard cardboard box featuring an illustration of the product and its name. The company branding is also on the package, which you will immediately notice.
Inside, the X-Smart 3 is secure and protected against possible damages during transit. Plus, it also ships with the following accessories:
- 250g Filament
- Filament Spool Holder
- Holder Cover
- Flat Head Screwdriver
- Allen Key (H1.5, H2, H2.5)
- 7mm Spanner
- 0.4mm Nozzle Cleaning Tool
- USB 2.0 Flash Drive
- Power Cord
- Spare Parts Kit
- Glue Stick
- Scraper
QIDI X-Smart 3 3D Printer Review – Design and Functionality
When we unboxed the product for our QIDI X-Smart 3 3D Printer Review, we took note of its compact and enclosed design.
The company integrated top-notch materials, which makes the product a durable option to go for. Additionally, it has a sturdy body and windows on its sides, allowing you to watch the printing process. Its extrusion features a 9:5:1 gear ratio that offers stability, speed, and strength.
It has a lightweight design since the 3D printer incorporates carbon fibre instead of materials like steel. Consequently, the dynamic structure encircling the print head (Gantry) weighs 600g. The latter contrasts the average 3D printer weight of 1.5kg.
However, one drawback is the rods, which are non-replaceable. So, you need to return the 3D printer to the factory when replacement is necessary.
QIDI underscores it by featuring reminders in various locations, emphasising the imperative to avoid damage to these rods. The risk of significant damages is minimal thanks to the protection the entire housing offers.
Moreover, the lateral panels, the frontal door, and the upper enclosure are lightweight plexiglass. Despite regular use, they perform adequately.
For us, this approach serves well in reducing overall weight. However, it does compromise the sense of high-end construction. The thin and somewhat inexpensive-feeling plastic detracts from a premium build quality appeal.
The X-axis features a wear-resistant and robust carbon fibre rod, which boosts its strength and durability. The components of its extruder received upgrades such as optimised lightweight properties and strength.
Overall, the weight dropped to 600g from 1600g, which enhances its strength, making it better than steel.
The extruder temperatures are capped below 300°C, making it compatible with the brass nozzle hot end. Furthermore, it features an expandable controlled temperature chamber.
It is rated 350W to drive the system and acquire these temperatures. Overall, the printer measures 370 x 362 x 397mm.
The print bed is where your 3D models appear. So, it has to be clean and smooth to guarantee an adequately adhered model. Generally, this printer is one of the smallest in the series, with a 175 x 180 x 170mm print bed.
It also comes with a heated print bed that reaches a maximum of 120° Celsius, which helps offer better results. Plus, it is necessary for other kinds of filaments.
The X-Smart 3 also has a high-quality print bed cover – the flexible HF magnetic print board. This element fits perfectly and is not difficult to remove/replace.
Moreover, it has thick bars to support the print bed. You can find these on each corner of the bed to ensure adequate stability.
Unscrewing the bottom of the 3D printer shows expansion options on the control board. It has a WiFi adapter in a USB slot. Plus, you will find a USB extension cable running directly to the port on the exterior of the X-Smart 3.
Klipper Firmware
Our QIDI X-Smart 3 3D Printer Review will also discuss details about the Klipper firmware. Today, it is also the standard for high-speed 3D printers because it works with modern control boards. Plus, it allows reusing readily available components to lower costs while delivering high performance.
With Klipper, the X-Smart 3 can use the TMC2209 stepper motor driver to move fast but quietly. QIDI also used a unique design for the extruder to handle high speeds. One of the benefits of this product is you can order replacement parts via QIDI.
Key Features of the QIDI X-Smart 3 3D Printer
What makes this product better than other entry-level 3D printers for beginners? We will discuss its features in our QIDI X-Smart 3 3D Printer Review. Learning more details about these will help you determine if the technologies used for this unit make it worth purchasing.
The Best Economical 3D Printer
The X-Smart 3 is an economical 3D printer with excellent features and capabilities. It also works with Klipper firmware and multiple compatible software programs for this 3D printer.
Increased Precision and Stability of the QIDI X-Smart 3 3D Printer
QIDI improved the printing accuracy of the X-Smart 3, making it 20% better than previous QIDI printers. Aside from the precise prints, it offers high-speed printing.
This 3D printer uses pressure advance and auto levelling to achieve excellent resolution and 3x extrusion flow.
Compact 3D Printer with Powerful Performance
The X-Smart 3 has a 64-bit Cortex A53 processor and 1.5GHz frequency. Plus, it uses a high-flow direct-drive extruder and filament detection, allowing fast printing with any material. This model raises the standard for entry-level 3D printers.
Resonance Compensation
This technology allows the X-Smart 3 to produce smooth, accurate prints without corrugated surfaces.
CoreXY Structure of the QIDI X-Smart 3 3D Printer
The CoreXY Structure reduces inertia while improving motion speed. Thanks to the TMC2209 motor driver, the X-Smart 3 can also operate with less noise.
Ready to Print
QIDI delivers the X-Smart 3 assembled out of the box. It is ideal for beginners and is excellent for home and educational use. This 3D printer has an enclosed structure and a 120°C heated platform.
New, Lightweight Design
QIDI redesigned the X-Smart 3 by reducing its weight from 1600g to 600g. Although lightweight, it is significantly stronger than steel. Plus, the 9.5:1 gear ratio makes the 3D printer steadier, allowing faster extrusion.
Flexible HF Plate
The HF plate is highly flexible and offers excellent adhesion without warping issues. It makes removing prints easier.
Excellent User Experience with the QIDI X-Smart 3 3D Printer
The X-Smart 3 offers a superb user experience with its highly acclaimed QIDI Slicer Software. It features normal and expert modes, making it user-friendly for beginners. Plus, it features the Fluidd console.
Reliable After-Sales Services of QIDI
Aside from the primary features, our QIDI X-Smart 3 3D Printer Review also discusses after-sales benefits when purchasing this product.
QIDI commits to manufacturing reliable 3D printers and providing impeccable service. When you purchase the X-Smart 3, it has a 30-day return policy, a one-year warranty, and technical support. You can contact the after-sales team if you have inquiries, and they will respond within 12 hours.
Specifications
- Bed Levelling: 16-point auto
- Build Plate: Double-sided flexible magnetic HF plate
- Connectivity: WiFi or USB
- Display: 10.9cm Full-colour Touchscreen
- Touchscreen Resolution: 480 x 272
- Extruder Flow: 30 mm³/s
- Filament Diameter: 1.75 mm
- Firmware: Klipper
- Hotend: Brass Nozzle
- Maximum Nozzle Temperature: 280°C
- Highest Print Bed Temperature: 120°C
- Maximum Print Speed: 500mm/s
- Power: 350 W, 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz
- Printing Accuracy: ±0.1 mm
- Supported Materials: PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, etc.
- Build Volume: 180 x 180 x 170mm
- Nozzle Diameter: 0.4mm (Optional sizes include 0.2, 0.6, 0.8mm)
- CPU: Cortex-A53, 64-bit
- Technology: FDM
- Outer dimensions: 370 x 362 x 397mm
- Weight: 10.5kg
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux
Hands-on with the QIDI X-Smart 3 3D Printer
We will share our experience with the product in this QIDI X-Smart 3 3D Printer Review. Before we discuss its performance and print quality, we will focus on the setup process and the QIDISlicer software.
As mentioned, QIDI ships the X-Smart 3 pre-assembled, almost ready for use out of the box. All you have to do is cut several tie wraps that keep the 3D printer secure while in transit. After this, you will need to unscrew the four screws from the print bed and remove the foam underneath.
The built-in touchscreen display shows instructions for the initial setup.
Before printing, the 3D printer needs to undergo bed levelling. This model has an automatic levelling function, which uses 16 measuring points.
The initial configuration will require you to do a paper test. Doing this ensures the proper distance between the head and the print bed.
After levelling, you must load the filament before making a test print. You can choose from the models saved on the USB stick or download your preferred one. Next, slice it via QIDISlicer to prepare it for printing.
You can also activate WiFi access via the touchscreen to allow sending the G-Code to the printer from other devices. WiFi lets you print files directly from your computer, laptop, or tablet without transferring to the USB stick.
Slicers are necessary for 3D printing since printers cannot instantly mould a plastic block into the desired shape. It divides the model into printable layers to produce the printed model successfully. Most 3D printers use free programs like Meshmixer or Cura to slice models.
QIDI uses a proprietary slicer software called QIDISlicer, based on Ultimaker Cura. The company supplies it in a USB stick included with the 3D printer. This software can read STL and 3FM files to generate the G-Code.
QIDISlicer has modes for beginners and experienced users, and the latter has more settings to adjust.
The X-Smart 3 delivered excellent performance during our tests, reaching its advertised speed of 500mm/s. It produces ultra-thin layers when printing, slowly emerging into a completed 3D model. Watching it through the transparent panels made our experience more enjoyable.
We loved the print quality of this 3D printer, and all our test models were printed perfectly. Each print was smooth, and their details were visible.
The build plate of the X-Smart 3 was highly flexible. We saw no warping issues while removing our prints, and the models quickly separated from the build plate.
It is fast, user-friendly, and adequately sized for printing various models. This high-quality product is ideal for beginners who want to begin their printing journey.
QIDI X-Smart 3 3D Printer Review Summary
The X-Smart 3 from QIDI is a high-quality 3D printer that is excellent for beginners. It is a pre-assembled machine out of the box and does not require a complex installation process. It has convenient functions like automatic bed levelling to make things more effortless.
QIDI also bundles this 3D printer with the user-friendly QIDISlicer. This intuitive and user-friendly software interface makes it ideal for beginners.
Most importantly, the X-Smart 3 delivers superior performance. It prints smooth, high-quality, accurate models thanks to innovative features and technologies.
This product is an excellent entry-level 3D printer, and we highly recommend it. Learn more about the X-Smart 3 3D Printer when visiting the official QIDI product page.