QIDI i-Box Mono
Specifications
Build Volume
Layer Height
Screen & light
Speed & layers
Physical
Information
Description
The QIDI i-Box Mono is a desktop MSLA resin printer (LCD masking) that QIDI Technology released in 2021 at around $469. Its standout feature for the time was a large 8.9-inch monochrome 4K LCD (3840x2400) paired with a matrix UV light source. It's a machine for anyone who needs fine detail across a big plate: miniatures, jewelry master models, dental casts, and architectural maquettes.
The build volume is 192x120x200 mm, noticeably larger than the typical 6-inch printers of that era. The light source is a matrix of 40 405 nm UV LEDs with quartz lenses, delivering even, parallel exposure across the whole plate. The monochrome screen cuts layer exposure to 1.5-2 seconds, and max print speed reaches 60 mm/h. Minimum layer height is 25 microns, with Z-axis accuracy of 0.00125 mm thanks to dual guide rails and a precision ball screw. The body is CNC-machined aluminum, controlled via a 4.3-inch touchscreen, sliced in ChiTuBox and connected over USB.
Advantages
- Large print area — 192x120x200 mm with a monochrome 4K screen lets you print tall parts or several models at once, which the common 6-inch printers of the era couldn't do
- Fast curing — the monochrome LCD drops layer exposure to 1.5-2 seconds versus 6-8 seconds on color panels, with print speeds up to 60 mm/h
- Even exposure — a matrix of 40 405 nm UV LEDs with quartz lenses gives parallel light across the whole plate, so detail doesn't fall off at the edges
- Precise mechanics — dual guide rails and a precision ball screw deliver 0.00125 mm Z-axis accuracy and stable geometry down to a 25-micron layer
- Durable vat — a cast aluminum vat with a redesigned FEP mount that QIDI says doubles film life over the previous generation
- Easy handling — a CNC-machined aluminum body, a flip-up cover that blocks UV and odor, plus plate handles and large screws that simplify part removal and leveling
Disadvantages
- Discontinued — the model is no longer made or sold officially, so replacement LCD screens and FEP film have to come from third-party suppliers
- ChiTuBox and USB only — there's no Wi-Fi or network printing, files transfer by USB stick, and slicing is tied to ChiTuBox on Windows or macOS
- Modest control screen — the 4.3-inch touchscreen has a basic interface and feels small by today's standards
- Messy post-processing — like any resin printer it needs a separate IPA wash and UV cure, gloves, and ventilation
The QIDI i-Box Mono suits anyone who values a big plate and fine detail above all: hobbyist modelers, jewelers, dental labs, and architectural model makers. It's a one-material-at-a-time machine for calm USB workflows, with no cloud and no multi-color. Beginners are better off starting with a current 6-8-inch printer that still has manufacturer support.
Bottom line: the i-Box Mono is a solid resin printer for its generation, with a large plate, a monochrome 4K screen, and precise mechanics in an aluminum body. Today it's worth considering as an affordable used pick with extra build area, keeping in mind its discontinued status and third-party consumables.