QIDI I-Fast Dual All-Metal Extruder for 3D Printers | Qidi Tech Qidi 3D Printer
QIDI i-Fast Dual All-Metal Extruder for 3D Printers The QIDI i-Fast Dual All-Metal Extruder ($179.99) is a dual-extruder upgrade kit with two all-metal 350°C hotends, dual direct-drive extruders, and an X-axis...
Description
QIDI i-Fast Dual All-Metal Extruder for 3D Printers
The QIDI i-Fast Dual All-Metal Extruder ($179.99) is a dual-extruder upgrade kit with two all-metal 350°C hotends, dual direct-drive extruders, and an X-axis linear rail — enabling dual-color, dual-material, and soluble support (PVA) printing on the QIDI i-Fast with independent temperature control up to 350°C per nozzle, and does not include the extruder cover.
This upgrade replaces the single extruder on the QIDI i-Fast with a dual all-metal extruder assembly. Each hotend features an all-metal titanium heat break (no PTFE liner), 24V 50W ceramic heater, NTC 100K thermistor, and 0.4mm hardened steel nozzle. The X-axis linear rail provides precision movement for the heavier dual carriage. The kit enables printing two materials simultaneously — ideal for dual-color prints, soluble support structures (PVA + PLA/PETG), and multi-material functional parts.
Product Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Name | QIDI i-Fast Dual All-Metal Extruder for 3D Printers |
| Price | $179.99 USD |
| Extruder Type | Dual direct-drive, all-metal |
| Number of Hotends | 2 (independent temperature control) |
| Hotend Type | All-metal, high temperature |
| Max Temperature (per nozzle) | 350°C |
| Nozzles | 2x 0.4mm hardened steel (M6 thread, pre-installed) |
| Heater Cartridges | 2x 24V 50W ceramic |
| Thermistors | 2x NTC 100K B3950 |
| Heat Break | Titanium alloy, all-metal (no PTFE) |
| X-Axis Rail | Linear guide rail (included) |
| Extruder Cover | Not included (purchase separately) |
| Filament Diameter | 1.75mm (each extruder) |
| Compatibility | QIDI i-Fast only |
| Wiring | Pre-wired with JST connectors |
| Installation Time | 30-45 minutes |
| Weight (assembly) | ~250g |
| Heat-up Time (each, 25→200°C) | ~50 seconds |
| Heat-up Time (each, 25→350°C) | ~120 seconds |
| Temperature Stability | ±1°C per nozzle |
| Tools Needed | 2mm hex key, 3mm hex key, Phillips screwdriver |
| Warranty | 90 days |
| Return Policy | 30-day free return |
What's in the Box
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Dual all-metal extruder assembly (pre-assembled) | 1 |
| All-metal hotend (left, pre-installed) | 1 |
| All-metal hotend (right, pre-installed) | 1 |
| 0.4mm hardened steel nozzles (pre-installed) | 2 |
| 50W ceramic heater cartridges (pre-installed) | 2 |
| NTC 100K thermistors (pre-installed) | 2 |
| X-axis linear rail | 1 |
| Mounting hardware (screws, nuts) | 1 set |
| Wiring harness (pre-wired JST) | 1 |
| Installation guide | 1 |
Note: This kit does NOT include the extruder cover. If you need a cover, purchase it separately from QIDI. The dual extruder is designed to work with the i-Fast's existing firmware — no firmware flash required for basic dual extrusion, though dual-extrusion settings must be configured in your slicer.
Dual Extrusion Capabilities
Dual-Color Printing
Print objects with two colors using the same material (e.g., red PLA + blue PLA). Each extruder has independent temperature control, so you can use different temperatures if needed. The dual extruder automatically switches nozzles at layer changes or at designated color-change points.
Dual-Material Printing
Combine two different materials in one print, such as: - Flexible TPU gasket + rigid PLA body - PETG body + ABS structural elements - PLA + wood-fill for aesthetic effects - Carbon fiber + PLA for reinforced sections
Soluble Support
Use PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) in one extruder for support structures that dissolve in water, enabling complex geometries with overhangs, internal cavities, and bridges that would be impossible with single-extrusion. PVA dissolves completely in warm water, leaving no residue.
| Application | Extruder 1 | Extruder 2 | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dual-color | PLA (red) | PLA (blue) | Multi-color objects without painting |
| Soluble support | PLA/PETG | PVA | Complex overhangs, easy support removal |
| Rigid + flexible | PLA/ABS | TPU | Articulated parts, gaskets, grips |
| Standard + high-temp | PLA | PC/nylon | Multi-material functional parts |
| Standard + abrasive | PETG | CF-PETG | Reinforced sections with standard body |
Supported Filaments
| Filament | Nozzle Temp | Bed Temp | Dual Extrusion Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | 190-220°C | 50-60°C | Best for dual-color, easy to print |
| PETG | 220-240°C | 70-80°C | Good for dual-material, moderate stringing |
| ABS | 230-250°C | 90-110°C | Needs enclosure, good for functional parts |
| TPU | 210-230°C | 40-50°C | Direct drive handles TPU well, slow speed |
| PVA (support) | 180-200°C | 50-60°C | Soluble in water, keep dry |
| Nylon | 240-270°C | 80-100°C | All-metal required, dry thoroughly |
| Polycarbonate | 260-300°C | 100-120°C | All-metal 350°C, enclosure needed |
| Carbon Fiber | 220-260°C | 60-100°C | Hardened nozzle required (included) |
How Dual Extrusion Works
Independent Temperature Control
Each hotend has its own heater cartridge, thermistor, and temperature sensor. The i-Fast firmware controls both nozzles independently, allowing different temperatures for different materials. For example, PLA at 200°C in the left nozzle and PVA at 190°C in the right nozzle.
Nozzle Switching
During dual extrusion, the printer alternates between the two nozzles. When one nozzle is printing, the other is parked and maintained at standby temperature (typically 10-20°C below printing temp to prevent oozing). The X-axis moves the carriage to position the active nozzle over the print area. A prime tower or wipe wall is often used to clean the nozzle before switching.
X-Axis Linear Rail
The dual extruder assembly is heavier (~250g vs ~120g for single) than the stock single extruder. The included X-axis linear rail replaces the standard V-wheel system, providing smoother, more precise movement that can handle the increased weight without sacrificing print quality or speed.
Installation Guide
Safety: Power off and unplug the printer. Wait 15 minutes for hotends to cool. The installation involves disassembling the X-axis carriage and replacing the single extruder with the dual assembly. Allow 30-45 minutes.
- Prepare: Power off, unplug, remove filament from both (if any), wait 15 min to cool. Clear workspace.
- Remove old extruder: Open extruder cover, disconnect heater and thermistor connectors, remove extruder motor cable, remove 4 mounting screws, lift off single extruder assembly.
- Replace X-axis rail: Remove the old V-wheel carriage from the X-axis gantry. Install the new linear rail using the included screws. Ensure the rail is parallel to the gantry.
- Mount dual extruder: Attach the dual all-metal extruder assembly to the new linear rail carriage. Tighten mounting screws evenly.
- Route wiring: Feed both heater wires, both thermistor wires, and both extruder motor cables through the cable chain. Connect to mainboard: HE0/T0/E0 for left, HE1/T1/E1 for right.
- Verify connections: Ensure all 6 connectors (2 heaters, 2 thermistors, 2 motors) are fully seated and labeled correctly.
- Test heating: Power on. Heat left nozzle to 200°C, verify. Heat right nozzle to 200°C, verify. Check that both read correctly.
- Test extrusion: Load filament in each extruder, test extrude 50mm from each.
- Calibrate nozzle offset: Run the dual-extruder nozzle offset calibration (X and Y offset between nozzles). This is critical for dual-color alignment.
- Configure slicer: Set up dual extrusion in QIDI Studio: add second extruder, set temperatures, enable prime tower/wipe wall.
- Test print: Print a dual-color calibration cube to verify alignment and switching.
Performance Benchmarks
| Test | Result | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Heat-up left (25→200°C) | 48 seconds | Excellent |
| Heat-up right (25→200°C) | 49 seconds | Excellent |
| Heat-up left (25→350°C) | 118 seconds | Very Good |
| Temp stability (each, 200°C) | ±0.8°C | Excellent |
| Temp stability (each, 300°C) | ±1.2°C | Very Good |
| Nozzle switching time | ~3 seconds | Good |
| Dual-color alignment (after calibration) | ±0.1mm | Excellent |
| Max print speed (dual) | 60 mm/s | Good |
| Noise (both fans 100%) | 38 dB | Good |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Dual all-metal 350°C hotends: Each nozzle independently reaches 350°C, enabling PC, nylon, CF, and lower-temp PEEK — far beyond standard dual extruders limited to 250°C.
- Dual direct-drive extruders: Both extruders are direct-drive, handling TPU and flexible filaments better than Bowden dual extruders.
- Hardened steel nozzles included: Both 0.4mm nozzles are hardened steel, ready for carbon fiber and abrasive filaments. ($30 value)
- X-axis linear rail included: The linear rail upgrade provides smoother, more precise movement for the heavier dual carriage.
- Soluble support capability: Print complex geometries with PVA support that dissolves in water — impossible with single extrusion.
- Dual-color and dual-material: Print multi-color objects or combine rigid/flexible materials in one print.
- Independent temperature control: Each nozzle can run at different temps for dissimilar materials (e.g., PLA 200°C + PVA 190°C).
- All-metal titanium heat breaks: No PTFE liner to degrade, no fume risk at high temps, longer lifespan (12-24 months).
- 50W heaters per nozzle: 25% more power than standard 40W, fast heat-up to 350°C.
- Pre-wired JST connectors: No soldering required — plug into existing mainboard ports.
- Standard M6 nozzle thread: Compatible with E3D V6-style nozzles (0.2-1.0mm, brass/hardened/ruby).
- i-Fast OEM quality: Perfect fit, guaranteed compatibility, designed specifically for the i-Fast.
Cons
- i-Fast only: Cannot be used on other printers. Mounting, wiring, and rail are i-Fast-specific.
- Does not include extruder cover: Must purchase separately if you want a cover. The open assembly exposes wiring and hotends.
- Complex installation: 30-45 minutes, requires X-axis rail replacement, wiring of 6 connectors, and nozzle offset calibration. More complex than single hotend swap.
- Reduced build volume: Dual extruder carriage may reduce usable print width by 10-20mm due to nozzle parking area.
- Slower print speed: Dual extrusion prints are 20-40% slower due to nozzle switching, prime towers, and wipe walls.
- Prime tower wastes filament: Dual extrusion requires a prime tower/wipe wall to clean nozzles between switches, using 10-20% extra filament.
- Nozzle oozing: The idle nozzle can ooze filament during printing, potentially marring the print. Requires standby temp and wipe wall.
- Nozzle alignment critical: X/Y offset between nozzles must be calibrated precisely; misalignment causes visible seams in dual-color prints.
- Heavier carriage: ~250g vs ~120g single. May reduce maximum print speed and acceleration, though the linear rail mitigates this.
- PVA filament is finicky: PVA absorbs moisture, requires drying, and can clog. Soluble support adds complexity.
- 90-day warranty is short: Would prefer 6-12 months for a $179.99 component.
- Not for beginners: Dual extrusion has a steep learning curve — slicer configuration, nozzle calibration, material pairing, and oozing management all require experience.
Dual Extrusion Slicer Settings (QIDI Studio)
| Setting | Dual-Color (PLA+PLA) | Soluble Support (PLA+PVA) | Dual-Material (PLA+TPU) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extruder 1 Temp | 200°C | 200°C (PLA) | 200°C (PLA) |
| Extruder 2 Temp | 200°C | 190°C (PVA) | 220°C (TPU) |
| Bed Temp | 60°C | 60°C | 50°C |
| Standby Temp (idle nozzle) | 180°C | 170°C | 180°C |
| Print Speed | 50 mm/s | 40 mm/s | 30 mm/s |
| Prime Tower | Yes (30x30mm) | Yes (40x40mm) | Yes (30x30mm) |
| Wipe Wall | Optional | Yes | Yes |
| Retraction (each) | 2mm | 2mm (PLA), 1mm (PVA) | 2mm (PLA), 1.5mm (TPU) |
| Fan Speed | 100% | 100% (PLA), 50% (PVA) | 100% (PLA), 100% (TPU) |
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle misalignment (dual-color) | X/Y offset not calibrated | Run nozzle offset calibration, print calibration cube, adjust offset in slicer |
| Idle nozzle oozing on print | Standby temp too high, no wipe wall | Lower standby temp 10-20°C, enable wipe wall, use prime tower |
| PVA clogging | Wet PVA, temp too high | Dry PVA 4h@60°C, lower temp to 180-190°C, use 0.4mm nozzle |
| Layer shift (dual) | Carriage too heavy, acceleration too high | Reduce acceleration 30-50%, verify linear rail tightness, lower speed |
| Color bleed at boundaries | Nozzle too close, insufficient wipe | Increase prime tower size, enable wipe wall, increase retraction |
| One nozzle not heating | Loose heater connector, wrong port | Check HE1 connector on mainboard, verify wiring, measure heater resistance (~11.5Ω) |
| Thermistor error (T1) | Loose thermistor, wrong port | Check T1 connector, verify thermistor fully seated in heater block |
| Extruder 2 not feeding | Motor cable reversed, E-steps wrong | Check E1 motor cable polarity, verify E-steps for second extruder |
| Stringing between colors | Retraction too low, temp too high | Increase retraction to 2-3mm, lower temp 5-10°C, enable combing |
| Reduced print quality vs single | Carriage weight, vibration | Lower print speed to 40-50 mm/s, reduce acceleration, ensure rail lubricated |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the QIDI i-Fast Dual All-Metal Extruder?
The QIDI i-Fast Dual All-Metal Extruder is a dual-extruder upgrade kit for the QIDI i-Fast 3D printer, priced at $179.99. It includes two all-metal 350°C hotends (titanium heat break, 50W heater, NTC 100K thermistor, 0.4mm hardened steel nozzle each), dual direct-drive extruders, an X-axis linear rail, and pre-wired JST connectors. It enables dual-color, dual-material, and soluble support (PVA) printing. The kit does NOT include an extruder cover. Installation takes 30-45 minutes and requires no soldering.
What is the maximum temperature of each hotend?
Each of the two hotends independently reaches a maximum of 350°C. They use all-metal titanium heat breaks (no PTFE liner), 24V 50W ceramic heaters, and NTC 100K thermistors. This covers PLA (190-220°C), PETG (220-240°C), ABS (230-250°C), TPU (210-230°C), PVA (180-200°C), nylon (240-270°C), carbon fiber (220-260°C), polycarbonate (260-300°C), and lower-temp PEEK/PEKK (350-370°C). Each nozzle has independent temperature control, so you can run different materials at different temperatures simultaneously.
Does the dual extruder come with an extruder cover?
No. The QIDI i-Fast Dual All-Metal Extruder kit does NOT include an extruder cover. The product description explicitly states "Not Include Extruder Cover." If you want a cover, you must purchase it separately from QIDI. The open assembly exposes the wiring, hotends, and extruder motors — a cover provides protection from dust and accidental contact. Some users 3D-print a custom cover, but an official QIDI cover is recommended for proper fit and airflow.
Can I print PVA soluble support with this dual extruder?
Yes. PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) is the most common soluble support material and works well with the dual extruder. Use PVA in one extruder (180-200°C) and PLA/PETG in the other (200-240°C). PVA dissolves in warm water (40-60°C) in 4-12 hours, leaving no residue. Tips: keep PVA dry (it absorbs moisture rapidly), use a prime tower to prevent PVA contamination, and lower the PVA nozzle standby temp to 170°C to prevent oozing. PVA is ideal for complex overhangs and internal cavities.
How difficult is the installation?
Installation takes 30-45 minutes and is rated moderate difficulty. Steps: (1) Remove the old single extruder (4 screws, 3 connectors); (2) Replace the X-axis V-wheel rail with the included linear rail; (3) Mount the dual extruder assembly; (4) Route and connect 6 wires (2 heaters, 2 thermistors, 2 motors); (5) Test heating and extrusion; (6) Calibrate nozzle X/Y offset; (7) Configure slicer for dual extrusion. The pre-wired JST connectors eliminate soldering. You need a 2mm hex key, 3mm hex key, and Phillips screwdriver. Beginners should watch an installation video first.
Does dual extrusion reduce print quality or speed?
Dual extrusion can reduce print speed by 20-40% due to nozzle switching (3-5 seconds per switch), prime towers, and wipe walls. The heavier dual carriage (~250g vs ~120g single) may require lower acceleration and speed settings, though the included linear rail mitigates this. Print quality is comparable to single extrusion if nozzle offset is properly calibrated (±0.1mm). The main quality risk is oozing from the idle nozzle, which is managed with standby temperature and wipe walls. For single-material prints, you can use only one nozzle and disable the second extruder.
Is the dual extruder compatible with other QIDI printers?
No. The QIDI i-Fast Dual All-Metal Extruder is designed exclusively for the QIDI i-Fast. The mounting bracket, X-axis rail, wiring harness, and firmware configuration are all i-Fast-specific. It is not compatible with the QIDI Plus 4, Q1 Pro, X-MAX 3, X-Plus 3, Max 4, or any non-QIDI printer. Each QIDI model has a different extruder design and carriage system. If you own a different QIDI model, check the QIDI store for a dual extruder kit designed for your specific printer.
What nozzle sizes can I use with the dual extruder?
The dual extruder uses standard M6 threaded nozzles (E3D V6 style) on both hotends. It comes with 0.4mm hardened steel nozzles pre-installed. You can swap to other sizes: 0.2mm (high detail), 0.3mm, 0.5mm, 0.6mm (fast/functional), 0.8mm (draft), and 1.0mm (very large). You can use different sizes on each nozzle (e.g., 0.4mm for detail + 0.6mm for support). To swap: heat to 250°C, unscrew with 7mm wrench, install new nozzle, recalibrate Z offset and nozzle offset. Hardened steel recommended for carbon fiber.
Do I need to change firmware after installing the dual extruder?
The QIDI i-Fast firmware supports dual extrusion out of the box — no firmware flash is required for basic operation. However, you should: (1) Verify the firmware recognizes both extruders (check the temperature menu for T0 and T1); (2) Run PID tuning for both hotends at 200°C and 250°C (M303 E0 S200 C8 and M303 E1 S200 C8); (3) Calibrate E-steps for both extruders; (4) Calibrate nozzle X/Y offset. If your i-Fast has older firmware that does not support dual extrusion, update to the latest i-Fast firmware from QIDI's website. The dual extruder uses standard NTC 100K thermistors and 24V heaters.
What is the shipping time and return policy?
Free standard shipping to the US takes 15-25 business days. Express shipping (3-7 days) is available for $25-40. The kit ships within 1-2 business days. Shipping is available to 18 countries: US, CA, GB, DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, AT, SE, DK, FI, IE, PT, PL, CZ, AU. The return policy offers 30-day free returns for new, uninstalled items in original packaging. The manufacturer warranty is 90 days against defects (heaters, thermistors, motors, rail). Contact QIDI support with your order number for warranty claims or returns.
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QIDI I-Fast Dual All-Metal Extruder for 3D Printers | Qidi Tech Qidi 3D Printer
$179.99