PLA Print Speed: A Complete Guide

The efficiency and quality of the items that are printed are greatly affected by the 3D printer’s operating speed.PLA, a commonly used 3D printing filament, provides various speed options, enabling you to balance print time and quality based on your specific project requirements. This article explores the fundamentals of PLA print speeds, detailing what they are, how they influence the printing process, and methods to determine the best PLA print speed for your needs. Let us take a look at how to use PLA to get the best possible results.

Print Speed in 3D printing: What is it?

1. Definition:

• Common Misunderstanding: When we refer to a part being printed “quickly,” it generally means that the part takes a short amount of time to complete due to its small size and fewer printhead movements. This, however, doesn’t precisely define the actual print speed.
• Clarification: While it’s useful to think of small parts as being printed quickly, this description does not convey the exact rate at which the printer operates.

2. Factors Influencing Print Time

• Nozzle Diameter: A wider nozzle can extrude more material at once, impacting the overall time.
• Infill and Layer Height: Increasing layer height reduces the total number of layers, and lower infill density means less material per layer, both contributing to reduced print time.
• Additional Material: Supports, skirts, and rafts can increase the printing duration.

3. Understanding 3D Print Speed

• The speed at which the printhead moves to lay down material along the X and Y axes is the true definition of print speed. This speed is measured in millimeters per second (mm/s).
• Impact on Print Time: A higher print speed can reduce overall print time, but large dimensions or low layer heights can still result in lengthy print times.
• Speed Variation: The speed can vary during a print job, with a slower speed often used for the first layer to ensure adhesion and a faster speed for infill where precision is less critical.

4. Normal Printing Speeds for FDM Printers

• Adjustment: Print speed can be modified through printer firmware or slicing software.
• Optimal Speed: Typically, a speed of 50–60 mm/s is ideal for medium-quality prints.

5. Hardware Capabilities and Realities

• Printer Capabilities: Common entry-level printers (e.g., Creality Ender 3, Prusa Mini) claim maximum speeds of around 200 mm/s, but practical speeds are lower due to limitations in filament melting and extrusion.
• Acceleration Limitations: Short printhead movements often prevent the printer from reaching its maximum speed.

6. Print Speed in Other Technologies

• Vat Photopolymerization (SLA/DLP): Print speed here is defined by the rate of Z-axis printing (millimeters per hour) rather than X and Y movements.
• Relevance: This measurement is more applicable for SLA, DLP, and SLS technologies due to fewer influencing factors compared to FDM printing.

Factors Affecting the Speed of PLA Printing

1. Layer Height

• Thicker layers (0.2 mm and above) enable faster printing compared to thinner layers (0.1 mm or lower), as less filament needs to be extruded per layer.

2. Printer Model and Specifications

• Different printers come with varied capabilities. It’s good to refer to your printer’s manual for recommended PLA print speed ranges and any limitations.
• Some printers may offer additional features like variable speed settings for different parts of the print, enhancing control over the printing process.

3. Nozzle Size and Type

• Smaller nozzles (around 0.2 mm or 0.3 mm) can achieve finer details but might need slower speeds due to reduced filament flow.
• On the flip side, larger nozzles (0.4 mm or 0.6 mm) permit faster printing because they can handle a higher flow of filament.

Print Speed Configuration of the 3D Printer:

1. Print Speed Settings

• Print speed settings in slicing software like Cura and Simplify3D control how quickly the printhead moves during different printing phases.

2. Infill Speed

• Dictates the speed of infill pattern printing, often faster than outer layers.
• Balances speed with interior structural integrity, where imperfections are less noticeable.

3. Travel Speed

• Controls the speed when the printhead moves without depositing material.
• Higher travel speeds can reduce issues like oozing but may introduce other flaws.

4. Initial Layer Speed

• Crucial for ensuring proper adhesion to the building surface.
• Often set slower than normal print speed to enhance first layer quality.

5. Gradual Speed Increase

• Gradually ramps up print speed over several layers after the initial layer.
• Improves print quality by easing into full speed, reducing potential printing errors.

6. Support Structure Speed

• Typically set higher for support structures, prioritizing speed over precision.
• Differentiated speeds for support infill and support interface ensure proper adhesion.

7. Specific Speed Setting

• Adjust speeds for outer and inner walls, top and bottom layers, surface skin, skirt, and brim.
• Offers fine-tuning options for specific parts of the print process, enhancing overall print quality.

Gradual Speed Adjustment

• Begin printing at 50–60 mm/s, especially for intricate details or smaller nozzles
• Increase speed by 10 mm/s increments per test print iteration.
• Monitor print quality closely after each speed change.

4. Fine-Tune Settings

• Once a satisfactory speed range is found, optimize further.
• Experiment with retraction settings to reduce stringing and oozing.
• Increase cooling fan speed for better layer adhesion at higher speeds.

5. Iterative Testing and Documentation

• Continue testing for different project requirements.
• Prioritize slower speeds for high-quality prints; explore faster speeds for simple prints.
• Maintain a record of successful print speed settings for future reference and consistency.

By following these steps, you’ll pinpoint the ideal PLA print speed for achieving professional-grade 3D prints consistently.

What are the optimal print speeds based on nozzle size?

1. Small Nozzles (0.2 mm or 0.3 mm):

• Recommended speeds are slower (30-60 mm/s) due to the reduced flow rate, ensuring proper extrusion and detailed prints.

2. Standard Nozzles (0.4 mm):

• This common size allows flexibility; speeds can range from 40-100 mm/s based on your specific requirements.

3. Large Nozzles (0.6 mm):

• With a larger filament flow capacity, these nozzles handle faster speeds (60-150 mm/s) effectively.

Adjusting Print Speeds for Different Layer Heights:

1. Thicker Layers (0.2 mm or above):

• These layers use less filament per layer, enabling faster speeds (generally above 60 mm/s) compared to thinner layers.

2. Thinner Layers (0.1 mm or below):

• Opt for slower speeds (around 30-60 mm/s) to ensure proper filament flow and layer adhesion, especially for fine details and precision.

What Are the Print Speeds for PLA and Other Filaments?

Different 3D printing materials have varying optimal print speeds, depending on their properties.

1. PLA:

• Typical print speed: 60 mm/s
• Upper limit: 150 mm/s
• PLA’s low extrusion temperature makes it suitable for rapid printing without warping, allowing speeds up to 150 mm/s but commonly limited to 60 mm/s for quality.

1. ABS:

• Typical print speed: 60 mm/s
• Upper limit: 60 mm/s
• ABS prints at similar speeds to PLA for quality but has a higher extrusion temperature and is prone to warping, thus capping speeds at around 60 mm/s.

2. PETG:

• Typical print speed: 50 mm/s
• Upper limit: 60 mm/s
• PETG needs fast travel but prints slower (around 50 mm/s) due to oozing, ensuring better end-use parts.

3. TPU/Flexible Filament:

• Typical print speed: 20 mm/s
• Upper limit: 20 mm/s
• TPU requires slow speeds (20 mm/s) to prevent clogs and jams, unlike rigid filaments.

4. Nylon:

• Typical print speed: 40 mm/s
• Upper limit: 50 mm/s
• Nylon prints faster than TPU but slower than common filaments due to its high extrusion temperature, around 40-50 mm/s.

SelfCAD: Best 3D Printing Software

SelfCAD stands out as an intuitive and robust 3D model maker platform suitable for both seasoned professionals and newcomers. Here are the features:

1. All-in-One Solution: SelfCAD integrates technical, artistic, and 3D printing tools, streamlining the design-to-print process without needing additional software.

2. Slicer Integration: Its built-in slicer supports most FDM 3D printers, ensuring seamless preparation for 3D printing.

3. Tool Variety: Offering rendering, freehand drawing, and sketching tools, SelfCAD caters to diverse design needs while maintaining user-friendliness.

4. Accessibility: Available as downloadable software or for online use, it handles both basic and intricate designs, guaranteeing high-quality prints.

5. Ideal Users: Beginners benefit from its simplicity, while professionals leverage its advanced features for complex designs.

Key Features:

• Faster design creation compared to traditional CAD.
• User-friendly interface designed for ease of use.
• Tools are logically organized for quick access.

Includes sculpting, animation, rendering, and architectural tools.

Pricing Options:

• Yearly: $149.99
• Monthly: $14.99
• Perpetual License: $500

Conclusion:

In conclusion, mastering PLA print speed is crucial for achieving optimal 3D printing results. Understanding the factors influencing speed, adjusting settings accordingly, and conducting test prints are essential steps. By implementing these strategies, users can enhance print quality, efficiency, and overall satisfaction with their PLA prints.