QIDI X-Smart 3 3D Printer

A small, fast printer with an enclosed chamber. The chamber keeps warm air around the part, so ABS and ASA print here without warping or cracking, which the open Kobras next to it cannot do. The volume is small, 175 × 180 × 170 mm: small enclosures, gears, fasteners, parts that need strength and heat resistance.

Materials

PETG is always in stock and free to use. You can bring your own filament. For ABS and ASA keep the top cover on for the whole print; for PLA take it off, or the part overheats. Do not load abrasive filaments with carbon or glass fibre; they wear out the standard nozzle.

How to use

1. Slice your STL or 3MF in QIDIStudio. It is installed on the Lenovo laptop next to the printers, and you can install it on your own computer.
2. Copy the file to a USB stick, they lie next to the printers, and plug it into the printer. Printing over the network is not set up yet.
3. Check that the right filament is loaded and start the file from the printer's screen.
4. Watch the first layer. If it lifts, raise the bed temperature. If that does not help, there is a glue stick nearby; after such a print, clean the plate yourself.
5. You may leave the printer running, but it has no sensor for a part that came loose, so look in from time to time.
6. When the print is done, take the magnetic plate off, let it cool a little and flex the part off. Do not pry parts off on the bed.

Take care

• The nozzle runs at up to 280 °C; the bed and the air in the chamber are hot. Keep your hands out while it prints.
• ABS and ASA smell while printing. Do not open the cover until the print is finished.
• Clear away filament scraps and supports and put the plate back.

Access

The printer is in the hackspace room, so a plan with hackspace access is required. No induction is needed.