R QIDI TECHNOLOGY X-CF Pro 3D Printers Industrial Grade,Specially Developed for Printing Carbon Fiber&Nylon with QIDI Fast Slicer, Automatic Leveling,Large Build Volume 11.8x9.8x11.8 Inch

Background:I've been using Qidi X-Pro machines since late 2017 with reasonable results, but they took much work to dial in, level, keep leveled and then I put glass beds in them for easier completed and failed part release. Then I had to tweak the bed temperature profiles to get parts to stick to the glass. I have since gone to higher end printers to get my print volume up, but each of those systems have drawbacks: Slow but very strong (Markforged) or fast but with less than ideal top surface quality (Stratasys).My XC-F Pro Experience using only the factory CF material that came with the machine:Unpackaging and assembly wasn't difficult. The videos on the included thumbdrive are very helpful in addition to the paper manual.I'm very impressed with the X-CF Pro in every way possible. The parts from it are much stronger than ABS-M30 from my Stratasys and very wear resistant. A 100% solid part takes about 5.5 hrs on the Qidi vs 90 minutes on the Stratasys (for comparison) but a 50% infill version is likely just as strong with about half the print time.I printed a part that my Markforged Mark Two usually does and it's very comparable in stiffness and strength.I have the extrusion multiplier tweaked to get 100.00% scale parts, so it's possible to get that without scaling the models in the slicer software.Surface quality is amazing - very comparable to the Mark Two. The bottom is a little rough from the PEI build surface, which works just like glass when it cools. Parts lift right off but are secure when it's hot during printing. Let the parts cool before pulling them off. It's worth the wait. The build plate is made of flexible steel with the PEI coating on top. It's held in place by magnets on the heated aluminum platform.The zigzag supports do a good job of coming off without much surface damage, if any. I'm still playing with different support types.The Qidi slicer is a modified version of Cura and I'm liking it better than Simplify 3D. It has many useful features that my higher end slicers have, like updating an STL in the build while using current settings and orientation. Jobs can be sent to the machine and even started via wifi or network cable. A Simplify 3D profile is included on the thumbdrive, but I did not try it.Qidi brand carbon fiber material is $150 per kg but it's serious. I plan to stay with it so I don't have to do any dialing in with other materials. It's all about what your time is worth. A package of desiccant is included for the material spool container, which is sealed by a wide rubber band.The BL Touch autolevel system is impressive. I've never played with it before now and it saves a lot of time. I had to do a manual level at first but the auto feature has been successful since then. I've been re-leveling every few days just to be sure, which is simple enough to do that I don't mind it. The print bed leveling knobs are secured by secondary wing nuts that ensure the knobs don't come unscrewed during system vibration.I have developed a level of confidence in this system where I can start a print and leave it to reliably do the job without coming back later to a pile of "spaghetti" on the print bed. The Z axis rail and jackscrews are well designed. The jackscrews are greased at the factory.A runout sensor is included but not installed at the factory. It was easily swapped for a blank pass-through plate and then plugged into a provided wire bundle.In conclusion, based on my experience with both lower and much higher end 3D printing systems, I wholeheartedly recommend the X-CF Pro and plan to get more of them.Buy with confidence!Pros:- Reasonable system cost.- Reasonable factory material cost considering its strength, stiffness and wear resistance performance.- Material type versatility.- Qidi Software is thorough on settings and easy to use.- Simplify 3D compatibility.- Reliability is comparable.to higher end systems.- Print bed clings when it needs to and then releases when it needs to.- BL Touch Auto Leveling.- Overall ease of setup, use and maintenance.- Runout sensor included.- Responsive email support from Qidi staff.Con (Justifiable):- Print speed is relatively slow with the CF material when printing 100% solid parts (expected), but the reliability at that speed is worth the wait for consistently good parts. Using lower infill will achieve faster prints but you'll have to determine the part strength when doing that.

I did a lot of research and I found that the Qidi X-CF Pro is the best value in the growing desktop FDM carbon fiber 3D printer market. This printer was developed specifically for printing stronger-than-metal parts using carbon enhanced filaments. But Qidi also retained the capability to use the same printer for common filaments such as PLA and ABS by providing two easily swapped extruders. When compared to other printers, the X-CF Pro hits the price and capability sweet spot. Printers with comparable capabilities start at more than double the price.I am going to use the X-CF Pro as a fast and inexpensive way to make high strength parts and tools. I can replace expensive metal parts and machined aluminum components with prints that are just as strong, but lighter. Manufacturers can print functional prototypes, jigs and fixtures. Hobbyists can print parts for R/C cars, robots and similar projects that are stronger than over the counter parts.Unlike some competitor’s machines, you are not locked into using specific filaments. Qidi does provide some very good in-house developed filament options, but they are not required. Then there is size to consider. While others may advertise their system as desktop-size, that is sometimes only true if your desktop is on the floor. While the X-CF Pro is indeed large (and heavy), it makes good use of the space to provide a generous build volume while still fitting on a desktop.I would be remiss if I did not mention all the kit that comes with the X-CF Pro. Qidi seems to have thought of everything you might need to get started and maintain the printer. A 16GB thumb drive, a nice set of tools and box of spare parts come standard. My system also came with a spool of filament. The included a dry box is a nice addition.Qidi provides an excellent slicer that has pre-configured settings that provide parameters specifically for printing carbon fiber and nylon filaments. Anyone familiar with Cura will feel right at home. The gcode can be transferred to the printer via LAN, Wi-Fi or USB thumb drive. Other slicers can be used if so desired.I also have the Qidi X-Max, which by the way is a great printer, but the X-CF Pro is designed specifically for Carbon Fiber filaments and has the following additional features not found on the X-Max:Larger touch screen with better contrastCustomized slicerUpgraded main boardAuto bed leveling (this is helpful if you move your printer frequently)Filament sensor (great for those long prints)A much better PEI build plate (I bought one of these for my X-Max and it is the best upgrade)Dual gear extruders instead of single gear extrudersLinear rails on all three axis instead of bars, and screws instead of beltsMore robust XYZ steel frameFeatures not mentioned by the Amazon listing, but certainly worth considering when selecting a printer, include the ability pause and resume printing, optional auto-off at the end of print, a well-lit enclosure, quite operation, rock solid bed leveling, and a retractable filament spool holder for low-hydroscopic filaments such as PLA. There is also a chamber fan with a charcoal filter to help deal with some of the odor (it is not a substitute for ventilation when printing ABS or other filaments that release toxic fumes known as VOCs (Volatile Organic Carbon)).As with any product, there are always things I wish Qidi had done differently. On the X-Max the touch screen is at the top, but on the X-CF it is on the bottom, probably because it is bigger. I also wish the grab handles did not stick out from the sides as they increase the space required when printers are setup side-by-side. I also miss the internal spool holder found on the X-Max.Perhaps most importantly, there is a growing community of Qidi owners that you can count on to provide guidance and advice as needed. When combined with Qidi’s amazing support, there is no problem without a solution.Bottom line is that I am very happy with my decision to get the X-CF Pro and highly recommend it.

The machine is great and work as expected, but the support is even better!3D Printers require maintainance and troubleshooting, and their support respond all your emails with videos and explanations. They even chase you (in a good way) if you do not respond their emails, that shows really care with the customer!Also they promptly send any parts that needs replacement with no questions asked!just great, really recommend!

The tech team at qidi are the best at getting any problems fixed and such a great company to deal with, definitely would buy off them again

Good build quality, very sturdy and QUIET! Being new to 3d printing, I had to learn about the material temps, so, quite a learning curve to achieve production goals. The thing I haven't had to spend much time learning is this awesome machine! It prints perfectly right out of the box whether it be carbon fibre or PLA, TPU, etc. Had one main issue with the Z axis driving the bed up, so I emailed them on Sunday here in Oz and hoped (like most callbacks) I'd get a response later in the week. Couldn't believe the after sales service actually contacted me within an hour or so ON SUNDAY!! They provided a solution (update the firmware for which they supplied the link) and was up and running within the hour and now running 24/7 without a problem. Very impressed! Very happy with this purchase.

Great 3D Printer which arrived well before the estimated delivery date. I purchased the printer mainly to print Carbon Fiber and was very impressed with the high quality prints. Excellent same day response from the manufacture regarding technical advice and additional purchases direct from the OEM.Highly recommended for printing Carbon Fiber.

This is my second Qidi 3D printer and it is very impressive. The print quality of this printer is amazing.Linda at Qidi customer service was equally amazing and the two together made for a great 3D printing experience.I would not hesitate to recommend this 3D printer to the beginner and professional.