With a dual rail Z axis and solid build quality, this is a very good first entry for QIDI into the MSLA 3D printer market. I considered this printer to be a great value when I purchased it for $289 soon after it was introduced and at 50 bucks less a month later, it's a ridiculously good deal.
I've printed a lot of parts in the last month or so and have had to perform no maintenance. I know the UV LED module and the LCD are consumable items that will need to be replaced but I've done nothing but print so far. The surface finish on the parts is excellent because of the high resolution 2K LCD. I use an 8 second per layer exposure for all of the many different resins I've tried, always with good results. I could probably reduce the exposure time on some of the resins but I'm not yet making production parts and the parts print plenty fast as is. I'll stack as many as 40 small parts on the build plate at once. My main reason to minimize exposure time would be to prolong the life of the UV LEDs and the LCD.
This printer is well designed. The USB port is on the side but near the front, where it's convenient to reach but not likely to be fouled with spilled resin. I strongly recommend using a very low profile USB stick instead of the USB stick that QIDI provides. I bought a 64GB Sandisk Fit USB thumb drive on Amazon that barely protrudes from the side of the printer, so it's unlikely to catch on something and damage the USB port (ASIN: B07MDXBTL1).
Here's a list of items that could be better in this printer:
The red plastic lift-off lid is nice but it's easily attacked by spilled resin. I make every effort to avoid spills and to prevent resin from dripping from the parts or being transferred from my gloves, but it's an inherently messy process. One drop of resin dripping off the built plate or parts and landing on the printer will melt the bottom edge of the red plastic lid and glue it to the printer so it always sticks. Removing the uncured resin with isopropyl alcohol will further damage the red acrylic lid.
The build platform is leveled and secured using a set screw that locks a ball and socket joint that allows the build platform to rest flatly on the FEP film in the bottom of the vat. This is the same method used by apparently all printers in this class. I was reluctant to torque the set screw too much to avoid making a divot in the ball that would always lock into that position, but if not permanently locked in this manner, it's too easy to have the leveling adjustment come out of alignment when scraping the parts from the build plate. I didn't realize the build platform was misaligned and the low corner crashed into the FEP film at the start of the next print. I heard the Z axis stepper motor grinding as it skipped steps and I aborted the print, emptied the vat, checked to ensure the FEP film wasn't damaged, and leveled the build plate again. I securely torqued the set screw to make the bed leveling permanent, and I'm now careful to handle the build plate by the plate itself when scraping off the newly printed parts to avoid misadjusting the leveling adjustment.
It's too difficult to level the bed. The process requires the vat to be removed, the leveling paper to be placed over the exposure window and the build platform to be lowered until the paper can barely be scooted under the build plate. The build platform covers the leveling paper so there's little edge to grasp, and unlike leveling the bed under the nozzle of an FDM 3D printer, the large surface of the build platform on this MSLA printer creates a suction that makes it difficult to determine the correct distance between the build platform and the exposure window. Once the air is expelled a vacuum creates a stiction (yes, that's a real technical term) and further adjustment is impossible until the Z axis is raised a millimeter to allow the leveling paper to be peeled off the build platform. A further aggravation is the software guided procedure. It's easy to forget to home the Z axis after a crash so the bed leveling isn't calibrated to a properly homed Z axis, leading to another crash on the subsequent print. Even when I remember to home the Z axis first, the software makes it easy to mechanically level the bed and then forget to save the new bed level Z=0 height before printing. It's a needlessly fiddly and error prone process. I wish I could loosen the set screw that locks the bed leveling ball joint, install an empty vat, select bed leveling from the menu, and the printer would automatically home the Z axis, lower the build platform until it touches the FEP sheet in the bottom of the vat and set that as the new Z=0, and hold that position while I tighten the set screw.
The LCD touch screen is small. I love that it shows a thumbnail image of the parts so I can select an image of the part I want to print, but the font used on the screen is so tiny and the character stroke is only one microscopic pixel wide, so the only way I can read any of the text is with a magnifying lens, which is a huge user interface fail. The problem is even worse because the screen is vertical, at waist level when the printer is at an ergonomic working height on a counter.
I'm not crazy about the red and gold, but that's just aesthetics. However, the red is painted onto plastic. If you try to use isopropyl alcohol to remove an uncured resin fingerprint smudge from the printer's enclosure, the red paint is removed as well. The printer enclosure should be designed to be maintained in a messy resin rich environment.
Despite these niggling complaints, this is still a five star review because QIDI got so much right in this printer, and they're definitely designing to a low price point to provide solid CNC motion control and good print quality at a very affordable price. Hopefully they'll keep innovating to keep the many good features while correcting some of these little problems. I also hope QIDI Tech is working on a larger format printer to compete with the new Elegoo Saturn.
I don't make miniature figurines. I make engineering prototypes and short run manufactured parts. I've been waiting for SLA resins to have improved strength and reduced cost and that time has come. I'm particularly partial to Siraya Tech Fast resin (ASIN: B084JPQTRT). I designed a simple little electrical insulator that's 36mm long with a 6mm X 6mm cross section in the center. The tiny part has a mass of 1.55 grams and I'm unable to break it without resorting to tools. I can't snap the solid little part using my fingers. I put paracord through the hole in each end and pulled with all my strength. Over 200 pounds of tensile force was unable to break this tiny part. If the MSLA industry devises a method to scrape the parts off the build plate, wash them, rinse them, dry them and UV post cure them with a minimum of labor and mess, MSLA printing will largely replace injection molding, while easily creating parts that are impossible to injection mold. The post processing hassle is currently the only thing holding back the widespread adoption of MSLA 3D printing.
I tried aqueous cleaning with detergent and bought an ultrasonic cleaner for the process, but with mixed results. I'd advise buying two of the Lock & Lock Pickle Containers (ASIN: B06WD1F7HD) and use one for the initial wash in isopropyl alcohol and the second for a rinse in clean IPA. Allow the parts to air dry and then post cure them with a UV LED lamp (ASIN: B07XCQ5C58). I'd also recommend buying a LOT of inexpensive gloves so you can change gloves often to avoid transferring sticky resin to everything else in your workspace. I bought a 2000 pack of polyethylene food handling gloves (ASIN: B07H5BM9RF). I'd also recommend a funnel and paper filters for pouring resin back into the bottle while straining the little failed print bits, (ASIN: B07SJD2D9H).
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From the brand
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QIDI TECH, founded in 2014, is an advanced 3D printer company that is able to manufacture a full series of high-quality FDM printers. We have our own R&D center and laboratory.
We also have own a number of patents, software copyrights. All of our products have passed the MET safety quality certification, CE, FCC, ROHS certification. We have rich experience of OEM, ODM.
Product Description
QIDI TECHNOLOGY has been focusing on developing high quality, high performance 3D printers. We have 6 years of manufacturing experience,
The X series 3d printers we developed are very popular among users.,the user's favorable rate keeps Amazon's first place all the year round .
Shadow 5.5s is a UV light curing 3d printer developed by our company. It has perfect industrial design, out of the box, easy to operate, excellent software operating system.
Shadow5.5S is not just a comprehensive industrial design,it is also equipped with the best quality motor,mainboard ,rod and CNC Process aluminum parts,so as to ensure excellent printing quality and printing accuracy.
Parameter
Operation :3.5-inch Color TFT Touch Screen
Connectivity: USB Pen Drive
Printer Dimension: 245mm(L)*230mm(W)*420MM(H)
Build volume: 115mm(L)*65mm(W)*150mm(H)
Light source UV-LED(wavelength 405nm)
XY Resolution 0.047mm(2560*1440)
Z axis Accuracy 0.00125mm
Suggested Layer Thickness 0.01-0.2mm
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Dual z-axis linear guideShadow 5.5S adopts the highest stable structure: unique z-axis linear guide , double slider fixed, equipped with 4 optical axis structure,making the 3d printer more stable in the printing process, with stronger stretching force for precise printing! |
2K HD masking ScreenShadow5.5s is equipped with special high-strength tempered glass and integrated into the 2k lcd screen. During the printing process, the release film is smoother and more durable, and the printing area is 115*65*150(mm). Release film: After the model is printed, the model is more convenient to leave the film! |
Professional Slicing SoftwareProfessional Slicing Software makes the slice faster and saves the Resin. |
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Application FieldQIDI TECH Shadow 5.5S is widely used in Architecture，Jewelry，medicine，design and education . |
Air CirculationDual fan for ventilation along with activated carbon air filtration to minimize resin odor during 3D print jobs. |
Craftsmanship and AppearanceAll-aluminum CNC machining parts with plastic alloy casing and acrylic cover show amazing aesthetic design . |
Low odor-friendly materialOur newly developed materials have low odor, lightness and rigid resin properties, greatly improving the printing experience.(PS:The package has not included resin,you can extra order our resin.) |
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| QIDI TECH S BOX | Shadow 5.5S | Shadow 6.0 Pro | |
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| Customer Reviews |
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| Price | $549.00 | — | — |
| Technology | LED Display Photocuring | LED Display Photocuring | LED Display Photocuring |
| Build Volume | 8.46"x5.11"x7.87"(215x130x200mm) | 4.52'' x 2.55'' x 5.9''(115x 65x150mm) | 5.11‘’x2.75‘’x5.90“ (130x70x150mm) |
| Filament Types | Resin | Resin | Resin |
| Platform Support | Double-line guide rails, and the middle is equipped with industrial-grade ball screws. | Double Z-axis linear guide | Double Z-axis linear guide |
| Support | 1-Year with Infinite Customer Support(the 2K LCD and FEP film are excluded ) | 1-Year with Infinite Customer Support(the 2K LCD and FEP film are excluded ) | 1-Year with Infinite Customer Support(the 2K LCD and FEP film are excluded ) |
| Layer Thickness | 0.025mm-0.2mm | 0.025mm-0.2mm | 0.025mm-0.2mm |
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Customer Review: Quality Through and Through!
Garret
Videos for this product
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Just a small demo of an SLA print in clear resin.
Customer Video
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Customer Review: Great Printer All Around
Brice Ruder
Reviews with images
QIDI Quality, Drama free, Easy Peasy
When I saw QIDI had come out with a resin printer at my price point I had to have it. This is not my first resin printer. I have a Photon S, Elegoo mars and a Epax. The first thing I noticed was how nicely it was packaged. Nothing rattled around and nothing was damaged. This might seem like a no brainer but not all printers are packaged this well. I know from experience. Second thing I noticed was the stylish look , even the cover has beveled edges, and the printer feels solid when moving it around. Following the included instructions and the easy to navigate menu, I had it ready to print in a few minutes and leveling the build plate was easy. The dual z axis rail is a must have for a steady build plate and makes a difference. Be sure to level the printer with a bubble level. I shim the feet with paper to get the perfect. Another thing worth mentioning is the included ChiTuBox slicer software is one of the best out there. Many printers slicer software is about useless and will cause a lot of frustration and failed prints but QIDI hit the nail on the head. So I’m ready to print with the included bottle of resin (which is a plus). Nothing worse then getting a printer and having no resin to print with. Resin can be messy to work with so QIDI included some disposable gloves as well as some disposable breathing masks. Resin has a distinct odor and QIDI has helped solve this by including two charcoal filters to filter the air leaving the machine, helping to reduce the odors. I filled my resin vat to the full mark, installed the lid and was printing my test print. Easy Peasy. The machine operates quietly and without drama. Once completed I used the included scraper to remove my print and it popped right off. After cleaning in alcohol and rinsing in water it was done. The artillary pictured is in 1/144 scale. So how does this printer compare to my others?Packaging and appearance it is above all my others.It has more included accessories then my other printers,resin ect. It has a more solid feel to the machine and seems quieter than my others. Now to the only part that should matter to anyone reading this, Customer Support. My photon s broke the first time I used it and I was told too bad by Photon Customer Support. They did not stand behind their product at all. It sits unused now. I run 19 various QIDI FDM printers and I can tell u first hand QIDI customer support, specifically Linda, is great. The few times I have had an issue Linda has always been there either getting me the parts I need fast (two or three days) or having her people print a item and telling me the recommended settings. Linda is always kind and patient even when the issue turns out to be self inflicted. Sooner or later you will need help and QIDI is there when you need them and that is the most important part of any printer. The QIDI Shadow 5.5 has met all my expectations.To sum up my review, I’ll be selling my others and replacing them with the Shadow 5.5 printers.
Top reviews from other countries
Andrew
great entry printer and very capable
Reviewed in Australia on March 10, 2021Robk9
Fantastic little printer for the price
Reviewed in Australia on August 14, 2021Amazon Customer
Great printer at a great price!
Reviewed in Australia on July 11, 2020