IFS Jacker - Multi-IFS adapter for zModded Flashforge AD5X

I don't charge for my functional models. Please consider purchasing some of my paid models as a way to support both my work, and this great website: https://www.printables.com/@ninjamida/store

Check out my other AD5X replacement parts, mods and upgrades (all free!).

Electronics layout updated 2026-09-10. No change to the printed parts.

Got a Flashforge AD5X, but want more than four colors?

Here's a key part of your solution! The "IFS Jacker" allows you to connect two IFSes to your AD5X, expanding it to eight colors.

The IFS Jacker software that runs on this unit allows flexibility in its configuration, and it is possible to make setups for more IFSes, or builds other than this one. You can obtain the software here: https://github.com/ninjamida/ifs-jacker

This model and the accompanying instructions are specifically to build a two-way (8 color) IFS Jacker unit, powered from the AD5X itself.

Requires an RP2040 Zero, a DD4012SA-5V (voltage converter), and three MAX3485 boards (and a few other parts). Also requires a lot of DuPont crimping. No soldering required. However, if you prefer soldering over crimping, that's possible too.

Print instructions, build instructions and setup instructions are in a PDF file in the Files section.

The IFS Jacker alone is not a complete solution to the 8-color goal; it is simply one key part of the solution, intended to address the issue of needing to connecting multiple IFSes to the AD5X. There are other matters that need to be considered as well (eg. additional spool mounts; 8-in-1 adapter; etc); while these matters are beyond the scope of IFS Jacker, the documentation does discuss what they are and suggest some possible solutions (many, but not all, of which are also my own creations).

FreeCAD file also provided. It contains a lot of test / early version stuff as well that may possibly be of use to people designing custom IFS Jacker builds. As is usual for my FreeCAD files, it's a huge mess held together with duck tape. Or duct tape. I wasn't paying attention to which one I used.

I don't charge for my functional designs. Not even this one - which (more so the software than the actual build, to be fair, but both are my own work) represents a HUGE amount of effort in researching, testing, debugging, throwing the entire code out and starting again, and so on, to develop. Yes - you can print these parts off, assemble it, and start firing off 8-color prints in a few hours if you have the non-printed parts on hand; because I already did all the work. So if you like or plan to use IFS Jacker, whether the build or the software, please consider supporting my work by purchasing a couple of my paid models. You don't have to, IFS Jacker is free, but it would be very appreciated. And yes - part of this goes as a fee to Printables; that's perfectly fine by me, this site itself deserves some support too. https://www.printables.com/@ninjamida/store

And if you don't want to buy my models... at least show me something you've printed using this!