QIDI: Difference between revisions
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In early 2025, a consumer reported a catastrophic house fire allegedly caused by a Qidi Tech Plus 4 3D printer. The incident gained widespread attention after the user claimed their report was censored on the company's official subreddit.<ref name="RedditPost"> | In early 2025, a consumer reported a catastrophic house fire allegedly caused by a Qidi Tech Plus 4 3D printer. The incident gained widespread attention after the user claimed their report was censored on the company's official subreddit.<ref name="RedditPost">{{Cite web |last=r/3Dprinting |date=2025 |title=R/QidiTech3d Permanently banned me for warning people after my family lost everything from a fire! |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/1jnuju1/rqiditech3d_permanently_banned_me_for_warning/ |access-date=5 Aug 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> The subsequent public outcry led to a community-driven technical investigation that identified potential systemic design flaws, including an under-specified Solid-State Relay (SSR) and the absence of a thermal fuse, which could lead to thermal runaway.<ref name="MakerForums">{{Cite web |date=1 Apr 2025 |title=Qidi permanently banned a customer for reporting that a Qidi Plus4 caught fire and destroyed their entire house |url=https://forum.makerforums.info/t/qidi-permanently-banned-a-customer-for-reporting-that-a-qidi-plus4-caught-fire-and-destroyed-their-entire-house/92980 |access-date=5 Aug 2025 |website=Maker Forums}}</ref> In response, Qidi Tech initiated a program to provide replacement parts and released firmware updates, though the adequacy of these solutions was debated within the 3D printing community.<ref name="PFF164">{{Cite web |last=@3DMusketeers |date=1 Nov 2024 |title=Fire Hazards & Fight Club Fails! - PrintFixFriday 164 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvhohMVPl1Q |access-date=5 Aug 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> | ||
== Background == | ==Background== | ||
Zhejiang Qidi Electronic Co., Ltd., operating as Qidi Tech, is a Chinese manufacturer of 3D printers founded in 2014. The company produces a range of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and resin-based printers for hobbyists and professional users.<ref name="QidiAbout"> | Zhejiang Qidi Electronic Co., Ltd., operating as Qidi Tech, is a Chinese manufacturer of 3D printers founded in 2014. The company produces a range of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and resin-based printers for hobbyists and professional users.<ref name="QidiAbout">{{Cite web |title=About QIDI Tech |url=https://eu.qidi3d.com/pages/about |access-date=5 Aug 2025 |website=[[QIDI]]}}</ref> | ||
The product at the center of the controversy is the Qidi Tech Plus 4, a CoreXY 3D printer. A key feature of the Plus 4 is its large, fully enclosed build volume with an actively heated build chamber capable of reaching temperatures up to 65°C. This feature is critical for printing with engineering-grade materials like ABS and Nylon, which are prone to warping without a consistently hot environment.<ref name="TomsHardware"> | The product at the center of the controversy is the Qidi Tech Plus 4, a CoreXY 3D printer. A key feature of the Plus 4 is its large, fully enclosed build volume with an actively heated build chamber capable of reaching temperatures up to 65°C. This feature is critical for printing with engineering-grade materials like ABS and Nylon, which are prone to warping without a consistently hot environment.<ref name="TomsHardware">{{Cite web |last=Bertacchi |first=Denise |date=18 Apr 2025 |title=QIDI Plus4 Review: Bigger is Better |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/3d-printing/qidi-plus4-review |access-date=5 Aug 2025 |website=Tom's Hardware}}</ref> The high-power electrical system required to heat the chamber became the focal point of the subsequent safety concerns. | ||
== The incident: House fire and censorship allegations == | ==The incident: House fire and censorship allegations== | ||
The controversy began on January 10, 2025, when Reddit user u/ProgressLocal1511 alleged that their Qidi Tech Plus 4 printer had catastrophically failed and started a fire that resulted in the complete destruction of their home. According to the user's account, the printer was operating with PETG filament. Approximately 15 to 30 minutes after a routine check, smoke alarms were triggered. The user discovered dense smoke and flames emanating from the rear of the machine, and the fire escalated too rapidly to be controlled with a home fire extinguisher.<ref name="RedditPost"/> | The controversy began on January 10, 2025, when Reddit user u/ProgressLocal1511 alleged that their Qidi Tech Plus 4 printer had catastrophically failed and started a fire that resulted in the complete destruction of their home. According to the user's account, the printer was operating with PETG filament. Approximately 15 to 30 minutes after a routine check, smoke alarms were triggered. The user discovered dense smoke and flames emanating from the rear of the machine, and the fire escalated too rapidly to be controlled with a home fire extinguisher.<ref name="RedditPost" /> | ||
The incident's scope expanded significantly when the user reported that their attempts to warn other owners on the official r/QidiTech3d subreddit were censored. They claimed their posts were removed and their account was permanently banned from the forum.<ref name="RedditPost"/> This action was perceived by the broader community as an attempt to suppress critical safety information, triggering the "Streisand effect," where the effort to censor the report amplified its reach across social media and 3D printing news outlets.<ref name="Fabbaloo"> | The incident's scope expanded significantly when the user reported that their attempts to warn other owners on the official r/QidiTech3d subreddit were censored. They claimed their posts were removed and their account was permanently banned from the forum.<ref name="RedditPost" /> This action was perceived by the broader community as an attempt to suppress critical safety information, triggering the "Streisand effect," where the effort to censor the report amplified its reach across social media and 3D printing news outlets.<ref name="Fabbaloo">{{Cite web |last=Stevenson |first=Kerry |date=4 Apr 2025 |title=Reports Emerge of Fires Caused by Qidi Plus 4 3D Printer |url=https://www.fabbaloo.com/news/reports-emerge-of-fires-caused-by-qidi-plus-4-3d-printer |access-date=5 Aug 2025 |website=Fabbaloo}}</ref> | ||
== Community technical investigation == | ==Community technical investigation== | ||
A collaborative, community-driven technical analysis emerged, identifying two critical design flaws in the printer's chamber heating system that presented a systemic fire risk. | A collaborative, community-driven technical analysis emerged, identifying two critical design flaws in the printer's chamber heating system that presented a systemic fire risk. | ||
=== Solid-state relay (SSR) failure === | ===Solid-state relay (SSR) failure=== | ||
The primary component identified as a point of failure was the Solid-State Relay (SSR), an electronic switch that controls power to the mains-powered chamber heater. The investigation concluded that the SSR was under-specified for the electrical load, particularly in regions with a 110V power grid. The higher current draw at 110V caused the SSR to operate near its maximum rating, leading to overheating and a high likelihood of failure.<ref name="RedditSSR_PSA"> | The primary component identified as a point of failure was the Solid-State Relay (SSR), an electronic switch that controls power to the mains-powered chamber heater. The investigation concluded that the SSR was under-specified for the electrical load, particularly in regions with a 110V power grid. The higher current draw at 110V caused the SSR to operate near its maximum rating, leading to overheating and a high likelihood of failure.<ref name="RedditSSR_PSA">{{Cite web |last=r/QIDI |date=2024 |title=PSA: SSR Safety Issues With Qidi Tech PLUS 4 Printer: 'The way it's been handled so far can only be described as negligent... As of right now I cannot recommend this printer.' |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/QIDI/comments/1ghh06b/psa_ssr_safety_issues_with_qidi_tech_plus_4/ |access-date=5 Aug 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> | ||
Crucially, a common failure mode for an SSR is to fail "closed," meaning it becomes permanently stuck in the "on" position. This allows unregulated power to flow to the heating element, causing a thermal runaway where the temperature rises uncontrollably until a component ignites.<ref name="MakerForums"/> | Crucially, a common failure mode for an SSR is to fail "closed," meaning it becomes permanently stuck in the "on" position. This allows unregulated power to flow to the heating element, causing a thermal runaway where the temperature rises uncontrollably until a component ignites.<ref name="MakerForums" /> | ||
=== Absence of a thermal fuse === | ===Absence of a thermal fuse=== | ||
Compounding the risk was the absence of a thermal fuse. A thermal fuse is a low-cost safety component that physically breaks an electrical circuit if a dangerously high temperature is reached. It acts as a hardware-level failsafe against a thermal runaway event caused by a failed SSR. The omission of this standard safety component, which is common in other consumer heating appliances, was widely condemned by the technical community as a significant design oversight.<ref name="MakerForums"/> | Compounding the risk was the absence of a thermal fuse. A thermal fuse is a low-cost safety component that physically breaks an electrical circuit if a dangerously high temperature is reached. It acts as a hardware-level failsafe against a thermal runaway event caused by a failed SSR. The omission of this standard safety component, which is common in other consumer heating appliances, was widely condemned by the technical community as a significant design oversight.<ref name="MakerForums" /> | ||
== Qidi Tech's response == | ==Qidi Tech's response== | ||
Following public backlash, Qidi Tech acknowledged a problem with the "heater power boards" in printers operating in 110V regions. The company's official statement attributed the issue to "high temperatures" causing "accelerated aging of the inductor" but asserted there was "no fire risk associated with this issue".<ref name="All3DP"> | Following public backlash, Qidi Tech acknowledged a problem with the "heater power boards" in printers operating in 110V regions. The company's official statement attributed the issue to "high temperatures" causing "accelerated aging of the inductor" but asserted there was "no fire risk associated with this issue".<ref name="All3DP">{{Cite web |last=Mensley |first=Matthew |date=7 Nov 2024 |title=Plus4 Issue Prompts Qidi Tech to Offer Replacement Parts |url=https://all3dp.com/4/plus4-issue-prompts-qidi-tech-to-offer-replacement-parts/ |access-date=5 Aug 2025 |website=All3DP}}</ref> | ||
As a remedy, Qidi Tech initiated a program to ship "optimized replacement heater power boards" to affected customers and released firmware updates with "optimized chamber heating logic."<ref name="QidiFirmware"> | As a remedy, Qidi Tech initiated a program to ship "optimized replacement heater power boards" to affected customers and released firmware updates with "optimized chamber heating logic."<ref name="QidiFirmware">{{Cite web |title=Firmware Download |url=https://qidi3d.com/pages/firmware-download |access-date=5 Aug 2025 |website=[[QIDI]]}}</ref> However, these solutions were criticized by many commentators as an inadequate software patch for a fundamental hardware safety flaw, arguing that no firmware could prevent a fire if the physical SSR component failed.<ref name="PFF164" /> | ||
== Consumer and media reaction == | ==Consumer and media reaction== | ||
=== Media coverage === | ===Media coverage=== | ||
Leading 3D printing news publications, including Fabbaloo and All3DP, covered the story in detail, criticizing the initial censorship and calling for greater transparency.<ref name="Fabbaloo"/><ref name="All3DP"/> Influential YouTube channels, such as 3D Musketeers and Ricky Impey, produced in-depth videos explaining the technical issues, which were instrumental in pressuring Qidi Tech to publicly address the problem.<ref name="PFF186"> | Leading 3D printing news publications, including Fabbaloo and All3DP, covered the story in detail, criticizing the initial censorship and calling for greater transparency.<ref name="Fabbaloo" /><ref name="All3DP" /> Influential YouTube channels, such as 3D Musketeers and Ricky Impey, produced in-depth videos explaining the technical issues, which were instrumental in pressuring Qidi Tech to publicly address the problem.<ref name="PFF186">{{Cite web |last=@3DMusketeers |date=4 Apr 2025 |title=Qidi Plus 4: 3D Printer or Firestarter? - PrintFixFriday 186 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=6sktfZMhur4 |access-date=5 Aug 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> | ||
=== Community-developed solutions === | ===Community-developed solutions=== | ||
In response to the perceived inadequacy of the official fix, technically skilled users designed and shared their own safety modifications. These community-driven guides detailed how to replace the under-specified stock SSR with a higher-rated component and, most importantly, how to add the missing thermal fuse to the heater circuit. This proactive response created a decentralized, open-source repair program that provided a more robust safety solution than the one offered by the manufacturer.<ref name="PrintablesFix"> | In response to the perceived inadequacy of the official fix, technically skilled users designed and shared their own safety modifications. These community-driven guides detailed how to replace the under-specified stock SSR with a higher-rated component and, most importantly, how to add the missing thermal fuse to the heater circuit. This proactive response created a decentralized, open-source repair program that provided a more robust safety solution than the one offered by the manufacturer.<ref name="PrintablesFix">{{Cite web |title=Fail-safe Chamber Heater SSR for Qidi Plus 4 |url=https://www.printables.com/model/1053814-fail-safe-chamber-heater-ssr-for-qidi-plus-4 |access-date=5 Aug 2025 |website=Printables}}</ref><ref name="YouTubeFix">{{Cite web |last=@3DPrintSOS |first=20 Nov 2024 |date=5 Aug 2025 |title=FIXING the Qidi Plus 4 - DIY SSR Upgrade |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYKGGycYN2w |access-date=5 Aug 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> | ||
== Current status == | ==Current status== | ||
In the months following the incident, Qidi Tech reportedly began shipping newer batches of the Plus 4 printer with the updated heater board pre-installed. However, the community-developed SSR and thermal fuse upgrades remain a popular modification for owners seeking a higher level of hardware safety. | In the months following the incident, Qidi Tech reportedly began shipping newer batches of the Plus 4 printer with the updated heater board pre-installed. However, the community-developed SSR and thermal fuse upgrades remain a popular modification for owners seeking a higher level of hardware safety. | ||
While the possibility of legal action was discussed among consumers, as of late 2025, no public records indicate that a lawsuit was filed in direct connection to the reported house fire. The incident highlighted the significant jurisdictional hurdles consumers face when seeking recourse against foreign-based manufacturers.<ref name="RedditPost"/> | While the possibility of legal action was discussed among consumers, as of late 2025, no public records indicate that a lawsuit was filed in direct connection to the reported house fire. The incident highlighted the significant jurisdictional hurdles consumers face when seeking recourse against foreign-based manufacturers.<ref name="RedditPost" /> | ||
== References == | ==References== | ||
<references> | <references> | ||
<ref name="RedditPost">Reddit, "r/Qiditech3d permanently banned me for warning others my X-Plus 3 burned my house down.," January 10, 2025, accessed August 5, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/1jnuju1/rqiditech3d_permanently_banned_me_for_warning/.</ref> | <ref name="RedditPost">Reddit, "r/Qiditech3d permanently banned me for warning others my X-Plus 3 burned my house down.," January 10, 2025, accessed August 5, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/1jnuju1/rqiditech3d_permanently_banned_me_for_warning/.</ref> | ||