With cheaper prices and improved performance, budget-friendly 3D printers have become a popular choice for beginners these days. Compared to their predecessors, modern 3D printers print far more quickly and perform better.
When we talk about printer speed, we mean how long it takes for a single print to be produced. It depends on the type of print (image or text), the cartridge(s), and the type of paper to determine how fast a printer prints. 3D printers are able to print a given quantity of material over a certain length of time. We measure time in accumulated hours, and we measure material in kilograms, millimeters, or cubic centimeters. Only the build stage of the entire process is affected by the print speed.
A popular 3D printer right now, the Creality Ender 3, prints at 600mm/s. Ender 3 print speed will be briefly discussed and different factors that affect it will be analyzed.
What Is the Reason for the Longer Ender 3 Prints?
With Ender 3, performance and affordability are hard to beat. A number of parts in the Ender 3 series are made from high-quality materials, and the print speed of the printer is excellent. It means that its other printers, which use inferior components, cannot create any material as quickly.
In summary, the idea here is that Ender 3 print speed is not one-size-fits-all. A printing pace setting determines how fast and how good the result will be. Generally, print speed dictates how fast the nozzle moves.
Speed refers to creating a build with the highest speed settings in the shortest amount of time. The default calculations are likely to drive speeds similar to other printers using the same size print bed.
How Fast Can Ender 3 Print?
Creality claims that the Ender 3 prints at a maximum speed of 200 mm/s. In reality, though, a print move is normally measured in terms of travel time, not speed. For those who place functional over aesthetic considerations, you can print between 90-120 mm/s. It is recommended that the maximum speed when printing (moving) is between 50 and 60 mm/s. You may find that the speed varies depending on various factors as well as upgrades to your printer.
Fastest Print Speed In Reality
A printer using Ender 3 filament will produce the fastest prints. Pla can speed up your print speed to about 60mm/s, while Klipper’s standard print speed is 120mm/s with fewer aesthetic requirements. 60-70mm/s is the standard speed for models with aesthetics.
Factors That Affect Print Speed
Factor 1: Filament Choice
Ender 3 prints at different speeds depending on the filament type. Each filament type has its own strengths and print speeds. PLA, TPU, PETG, and ABS will be discussed among the most popular filaments.
· PLA
Beginners begin printing with PLA, the most basic filament. A biodegradable and easy to print product, it has a medium strength and low flexibility. The filament prints at about 60mm/second.
PLA has a low shrinkage rate and doesn’t dissolve in water. Bed temperatures range between 200C and 600C, but are not typically required.
· TPU
PLA or PETG are both faster compared to TPU, which can be flexible and rubber-like. Printing with this material is slow at a maximum speed of 40mm/s because of its softness. It does not require a heated bed to start printing because of its low strength and flexibility. It is easier to print with TPU than other filaments because of its rigidity. TPU is also more resilient to cold conditions.
· PETG
The temperature at which PLA prints is much lower than that at which PETG prints. With a medium strength and high flexibility, this filament is a versatile, durable material. Printed builds made of ABS can resist high temperatures and is a better choice than PLA due to its durability.
PLA can be printed at 60mm/s with PETG. Stringy materials require a slower print speed, which is exactly 40mm/s, the ideal print speed for them. Additionally, no heated bed is needed for printing with stringy materials.
· ABS
The ABS filament is used to manufacture functional parts that are impact-resistant and durable. To print this filament type, an enclosure is needed around it. Access to this filament is restricted to experienced users. A typical print speed is 40-60mm/s, which is within the same range as PLA or PETG. To print with medium strength and high durability, it requires a bed temperature of 50-100 oC.
Its high durability and higher temperature resistance make ABS products well suited for high temperatures. Users should be cautious of warping caused by excess cooling or fumes that may cause injury. Place the printing enclosure or area in an area that is well ventilated.
Factor 2: Model Detail, Size, And Complexity
Ender 3 depends on model size, complexity, and level of detail. Models with more detail should be run at a slower pace (with lower limits).
It has a standard-sized nozzle, motor, and stepper setup with a standard size. If you plan to print detailed prints, set your printer to print at a low speed (40-50 mm/s) and if you want to print rough images, set it to a high speed (70-80 mm/s).
As you slow down the speed, the model will be less likely to deform as it gets more detailed.
Factor 3: Ender 3 Quirks
It is stated by the manufacturer that the Ender 3 model has a maximum speed of 200mm/s. The speed can be adjusted by users as fast as they like. Since this model has a fragile assembly, it has trouble maintaining a level bed.
Because of the high inertia of back and forth movements, the machine has trouble maintaining the build with a slight wobble in the plate. At higher speeds, this could create problems with pattern accuracy.
Final Verdict
Speed limits do not exist for Ender 3 printers. A well-tuned machine and experiments with different settings is the key to gaining the benefit from speed.
In addition, these cheaper machines are of different quality depending on the model. Tests may still not yield satisfactory results. You should experiment with different types of filament and speeds of the device.
