QIDI Tech Shadow 5.5 S 3D Printer Review

The QIDI Tech Shadow 5.5 S 3D printer is the latest UV LCD resin 3D printer from QIDI Tech. It’s priced competitively low letting amateurs get into the 3D resin printing arena.  With the accessories included with the Shadow 5.5 3D printer, it’s easy to plug it up and print right away. Here are the technical specifications.

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QIDI Tech Shadow 5.5 S Tech Specifications

• Build Volume: 115 mm x 65 mm x 150 mm ( 4.52 in x 2.55 in x 5.9 in )
• Build Speed: 20 mm per hour
• Technique: LCD shadow masking
• Software: ChiTuBox 64
• Print Bed: Metal, removable
• Leveling: Semi-automatic
• Build Materials: 405 nm resin, dental non-cast resin, dental casting resin
• Layer Thickness: 0.01 mm – 0.02 mm
• File Types: OBJ, STL, SLC
• Light Source: UV LED wavelength of 405 nm
• Resolution: 2560 pixels x 1440 pixels

Design & Features

The QIDI Tech Shadow 5.5 S 3D Printer is solid and sturdy with its all-aluminum red and gold frame with injection-molded plastic alloy and acrylic casing. The 3.5-inch color TFT touchscreen grants users access to the machine’s settings and USB drive files. The 16 Gb USB drive that comes with the Shadow 5.5 3D printer includes pdf files for guides, sample print jobs, and video tutorials for common troubleshooting areas and questions. The USB port is located on the side of the machine for easy access. 

There have been issues in the past with resin printers being wobbly and unstable as the print bed raises out of the resin vat. This QIDI Tech LCD resin 3D printer eliminates that by creating a stable structure with dual Z-axis rails and a sturdy aluminum base with beveled edges.  There are also fans built into the bottom and back of the machine that works with the activated charcoal carbon filters to reduce the odors associated with resin printing. 

The print bed is removable and leveled with the assistance of the Shadow 5.5’s settings and the mylar leveling sheet included. There’s a resin vat to hold your resin which doesn’t have to be provided by QIDI Tech. The ChiTuBox 64 slicer software is available on the included USB drive and is fairly easy to use.  Should you need to replace any parts, the Shadow 5.5 comes apart easily for you to get to the CBD control board, 2K HD 5.5-inch masking screen, and hardware components. 

There isn’t any wireless connectivity or computer tethering with theQIDI Tech Shadow 5.5 S 3D printer. All of the prints have to be saved onto the USB drive, inserted into the printer, and accessed from the Shadow’s touchscreen menu. The portability of the USB drive with the ChiTuBox slicer software allows you to work on designs from just about any Windows or Mac machine. 

The red-tinted cover protects the build during the UV curing process and limits your exposure as well. Third-party resins can be used with this plug and play 3D printer for a wide variety of uses in industries like jewelry, dental, medical, design, and architecture.

Printing

If you’re unfamiliar with LCD resin 3D printing, feel free to check out our article on Filament vs Resin Printing. The condensed version? Resin 3D printing projects layers onto the build plate as it rises out of the resin. Every layer is cured by the UV LED light source until the build is complete. The QIDI Tech Shadow 5.5 prints quietly and quickly in comparison to other resin printers but does so at 20 mm per hour.  Be sure to add drain holes to the design file so the excess resin doesn’t pool inside of the build. 

Printing with the Shadow 5.5 S 3D printer is easy with features like anti-aliasing reducing the roughness of the surface. Removing the builds off of the print bed is simplified with the metal scraper and the FEP film. An additional film is included with the accessories. The resulting builds are finished smooth across the surface and can be strengthened with additional curing under an ultraviolet lamp. Clean off the build with alcohol and rinse with water making sure to wear gloves throughout the print process.  

Print quality here with this printer is nothing short of incredible. With a layer resolution of 0.01mm to 0.2mm, it should be no surprise.

Packing

The QIDI Tech Shadow 5.5 S 3D Printer comes fully assembled. The printer is packaged thoroughly with tight gripping foam inserts to prevent damage during the shipping process.

Here’s everything you get with the QIDI Shadow 5.5:

• 1 x QIDI Tech Shadow 5.5 S
• 1 x Resin Vat
• 1 x Print Platform
• 1 x Mask
• 5 x Funnels
• 3 pairs of disposable gloves
• 1 x 250g Sample resin
• 1 x Power adapter
• 1 x Power cord
• 1 x Metal Scraper
• 1 x Tool Kit
• 1 x Screwdriver
• 1 x Sheet of mylar leveling paper
• 1 x FEP Film
• 1 x User Manual
• 1 x Question & Answer Reference Sheet

Customer Support

Be sure to test the masking screen of the QIDI Tech Shadow 5.5 S as some users report issues with it and it’s not covered under the warranty. The warranty for the QIDI Tech Shadow 5.5 3D printer lasts for one year with many customers reporting excellent service through the after-sales support team provided through QIDI Tech on Amazon’s website. 

There isn’t any information available on the website, but there are helpful videos on the included USB drive, Facebook, and other social media pages. Customer support aims to respond to all queries within 24 hours and send out replacement parts when necessary. QIDI Technologies projects itself as a 3D printing company aimed to make sure their customers are satisfied with their products like the Shadow 5.5 S. 

QIDI Tech Shadow 5.5 S Pros & Cons

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Pros:

• Customer service is great responding to queries and troubleshooting within 1 business day. Contact Qidi Tech’s after-sales service team via Amazon and other social media websites.
• The Shadow 5.5 S 3D printer is packaged well to avoid damage during shipping.
• The 3D printer and ChiTuBox 64 slicer software are easy to learn and use.
• QIDI’s Shadow 5.5 is built sturdy with aluminum, plastic-alloy, and acrylic with dual Z-axis rails for stability.
• Third-party resins can be used in dental casting, jewelry making, and architecture design models.
• There is low odor printing with the Shadow 5.5 because of the dual fans and activated charcoal carbon filter system.
• The high-resolution features allow builds to print with smooth surfaces and can be strengthened with additional curing under a UV lamp.

Cons:

• There isn’t a lot of information available on the QIDI Tech website, but customer support is available.
• The Shadow 5.5 3D printer’s 2K HD masking screen may need to be replaced and isn’t covered under the warranty.
• The build area is small in comparison to other 3D printers within the same price range.
• UV photocuring resin is messy and hazardous to the touch.

Verdict

The QIDI Tech Shadow 5.5 S 3D Printer is a great LCD resin printer for a low price. While the USB drive is the only connectivity option for the printer, it can be seen as a bonus not having to be tethered to a computer. The slicer software is easy to use as well as the printer itself. Printing with QIDI resins isn’t necessary and the printer also supports modifications with easy access to replace the LCD touchscreen and CBD control board. 

The QIDI Shadow 5.5 is built to withstand bumps and vibrations with its solid aluminum frame. The dual Z-axis rails allow for the print bed to raise out of the vat without much disruption to cause holes or warping within the layers of the build. The Shadow 5.5 3D printer is a great printer to use as an introduction to photocuring resin printing. 

Last update on 2024-05-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API