SILENCE! QIDI X-Max Modifications for Noise Reduction

prusaprinters

<p><strong>About</strong></p><p>SILENCE! is a guide for lowering the noise level in your QIDI X-Max printer using high quality fans and noise reducing foam. First of all, one of the noisiest components in your printer is the small and high pitched 30 mm extruder fan. I won't cover replacing it here but you can go with one of my other designs and it will both improve the extruder and keeping it more quiet. The Hercules design involves upgrading the extruder and hotend while the other two use the stock parts with a replacement fan.</p><p>Hercules - QIDI X-Plus X-Max Carriage for BMG &amp; Dragon / E3D V6:<br><a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4780615">https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4780615</a></p><p>QIDI X-Plus X-Max Extruder Fan Upgrade:<br><a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4630187">https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4630187</a></p><p>QIDI X-Plus X-Max Advanced Extruder Cover:<br><a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4607027">https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4607027</a></p><p>The power supply fan and motherboard fan are also quite noisy, we will replace those here as well as covering the inside of the case with noise reducing foam. Another benefit is that pieces/screws/parts are less likely to drop through to the bottom panel.</p><p><strong>BOM - Bill of Materials</strong></p><p>You need the following fans:</p><p>For the PSU:<br><a href="https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_A863Ai">Noctua NF-A6x25 60MM (FLX 12V 3pin)</a></p><p>For the Motherboard:<br><a href="https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_9zWRTM">Noctua NF-A4x20 (FLX 12V 3pin)</a></p><p>Optionally, if you want to upgrade your extruder fan using one of my designs above as well, get an additional Noctua NF-A4x20 (FLX 12V 3pin) which you will use for the extruder.</p><p>You also need some noise reducing foam. You can find some on AliExpress as well, go with a fire retardant version. Unfortunately I sourced mine locally so I can't link to it. You need a minimum of 3 pieces (or one larger) with a dimension of about 40 x 50 cm each. One of these should be enough to cover all panels but I haven't tested this one in particular myself:</p><p><a href="https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_A43juO">Sound insulation NBR Foam Rubber Mat Flame Retardant 5mm<i>50cm</i>200cm</a></p><p>You also need a JST crimping tool and some JST-XH terminals and connectors. I'm using this IWISS crimping tool which is inexpensive and is doing a good job.</p><p><a href="https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_AaKOn2">IWS-2412M/IWS-2820M Crimping Tools for JAM Molex Tyco JST Terminal and Connector Multi-function wire Stripper Cable Cutter plier</a></p><p>If you don't know how to crimp JST connectors, this is an excellent video showing how to crimp with a mini (two step) crimping tool like the IWISS:</p><p>&nbsp;</p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHfYzrSF4pY"></oembed></figure><p>&nbsp;</p><p>It's not difficult. Let's get on with the guide below.</p><p><strong>Caution!</strong> Do this at your own risk. Make sure to unplug the printer. It's not difficult but take it slow and follow the guide. Making these changes will not make the printer silent by any means but the noise level is lowered considerably.</p><p><strong>Donations</strong></p><p>All my designs are free, they're developed and tested in my spare time and most have source files available for easy editing.</p><p>If you enjoy this or any of my other designs, a small donation is not needed but welcome. Thanks! :)</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Post-Printing</h3><p>Unplug the printer and place it on the floor on a carpet, you will turn it around a bit. Unscrew both side panels. There are 6 x M3 Allen screws on each side and one inside the printer just on top of the handle.</p><p>The eagle-eyed user will see I have already foam installed in my printer but I'm replacing it with dark foam in this guide.</p><p>Remove the rear panel. There are 4 x M2.5 Allen screws on each side and one above the fans down the middle as well as one below them. You will notice two of the screws are longer, they go on the top left and right screw holes.</p><p>Place the printer on its side and remove the bottom cover. Remove 4 x M2.5 Allen screws, one in each corner. Also remove 1 x M2.5 Allen screw in the middle but not the one holding the square stabilization piece.</p><p>Remove the power supply. It is held by 4 x M3 allen screws attached to the printer (one is hidden behind the cover so be sure to remove that first).</p><p>You will find that it's a nice Meanwell SE450-24 (450W, 24V) power supply. Take note of the cable locations, remove the plastic cover and unscrew the connectors.</p><p>Open up the Power supply. There are eight screws to remove. Two on three of the sides and two more (shorter with narrow thread) in the middle of the case.</p><p>Remove the PSU cover plate and unplug the fan connector. Remove the fan, it's held by two screws. Install the Noctua NF-A6x25 fan the same way. The sticker on the fan should face out so air is pulled outwards.</p><p>Check the polarity of the stock fan connector and use the same cable orientation when you crimp on a JST-XH connector to the Noctua fan. Connect it to the PCB. Screw back all screws.</p><p>Follow this guide on Youtube if you don't know how to crimp JST-XH connectors:</p><p>&nbsp;</p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHfYzrSF4pY"></oembed></figure><p>&nbsp;</p><pre><code class="language-plaintext"> Remove the motherboard fan and install the Noctua NF-A4x20 (FLX 12V 3pin) the same way. I'm using the included low-noise adapter NA-RC12. It's a 12V fan but using the low noise adapter it will effectively bring down the voltage from the printer (24V) to the fan so it can be used without issues. </code></pre><p>As you can see I have left the fan's connector alone and instead directly connected it to the NA-RC12 adapter (secured with heat shrink tube here). The adapter's other end has been unpinned and connected to the green plug on the motherboard. The yellow wire which is used for fan speed modulation isn't used and set aside.</p><p>Using double sided tape (3M, Scotch etc) cut and attach foam to the sides of the case. You can cover the whole area of the side and rear covers but the most important part is what is exposed to the build space of the printer.</p><p>You can also use noise reducing foam with pre-applied tape of course.</p><pre><code class="language-plaintext">Reinstall in reverse: First attach the power supply, then bottom cover and finally the rear and side panels. </code></pre><p>Plug in your printer and make sure the fans are running. If you replaced the extruder fan, pre-heat to 50 C and make sure it is spinning up.</p><p>Enjoy a printer with higher quality fans and lower noise level. Also it looks pretty great!</p><pre><code class="language-plaintext">You can also use white foam but it is likely it will be discoloured over time. Here is my printer using white foam from earlier. </code></pre><p>Category: 3D Printers</p>