How to set the right 3D print speed

Selecting the perfect print speed is the key to unlocking your 3D printing potential—whether you’re racing through a prototype or perfecting a detailed model. Measured in millimeters per second (mm/s), print speed influences print time, quality, and strength. Standard printers typically range from 40-100 mm/s, while high-speed machines with CHT (Core Heating Technology) nozzles can hit 200-300 mm/s or more. In this tutorial, we’ll guide you through choosing the right speed for your project, troubleshooting pitfalls, and optimizing for everything from cost to community feedback. Let’s dive in and master the art of speed!

Kersey Fabrications Speed Test

What Is Print Speed in 3D Printing?

Print speed is how fast your printer’s nozzle moves while extruding filament. Most slicers default to 40-60 mm/s for standard setups, but high-speed printers with CHT nozzles—designed to split filament for faster melting—boost flow rates (20-30 mm³/s vs. 10-15 mm³/s with standard nozzles), enabling speeds far beyond traditional limits. The challenge is balancing speed with quality, hardware limits, and external factors like environment or post-processing needs.

Step 1: Understand the Key Factors

Start by evaluating these variables:

1. Project Goals: Speed vs. Quality

○ Fast Prints: Prototypes handle 60-100 mm/s (standard) or 150-250 mm/s (high-speed with CHT), trading off some finish.

○ High-Quality Prints: Detailed parts need 20-40 mm/s (standard) or 50-100 mm/s (high-speed).

2. Material Type

○ PLA: 30-80 mm/s (standard), 100-250 mm/s (high-speed with CHT)—cools fast.

○ ABS: 20-50 mm/s (standard), 60-120 mm/s (high-speed)—slower to avoid warping.

○ PETG: 30-60 mm/s (standard), 80-150 mm/s (high-speed)—moderate to prevent stringing.

○ TPU: 15-30 mm/s (standard or high-speed)—slow for control.

3. Printer Capabilities

○ Standard: Budget models (e.g., Ender 3) cap at 60-80 mm/s due to frame or extruder limits.

○ High-Speed: Bambu Lab X1 or Voron with CHT nozzles reach 200-300 mm/s with tuning.

4. Model Complexity

○ Simple shapes take higher speeds; intricate designs need slower paces.

5. Layer Height

○ Thin (0.1 mm): 20-40 mm/s (standard), 50-100 mm/s (high-speed). Thick (0.3 mm): 50-80 mm/s or 150-200 mm/s. 

Step 2: Set Up for Success

YAST Speed Tower

1. Start with Defaults

○ Use your slicer’s default (e.g., 50 mm/s standard, 100 mm/s high-speed with CHT).

2. Test Your Setup

○ Print a 3D Benchy at:

■ Standard: 30, 50, 70 mm/s

■ High-Speed with CHT: 100, 150, 200 mm/s

○ Check finish, adhesion (bend it), and accuracy (measure it).

3. Adjust for Features

○ Outer Walls: 50% of base speed (e.g., 25 mm/s standard, 75 mm/s high-speed) for smoothness.

○ Infill: 80-100 mm/s (standard), 150-250 mm/s (high-speed)—it’s hidden.

○ Supports: 40-60 mm/s (standard), 80-120 mm/s (high-speed) for stability.

4. Fine-Tune Temperature

○ Higher speeds: +5-10°C (e.g., 215°C for PLA). Too slow with CHT? Lower to 205°C to avoid overheating.

Step 3: Handle High-Speed Printing with CHT Nozzles

Speed / Flow Test v2

CHT nozzles excel at high speeds but can go “too fast”:

1. Test Max Flow

○ Print a flow tower (10-30 mm³/s). A 0.4 mm CHT nozzle might hit 25 mm³/s with PLA—set speed to 80-90% of this.

2. Watch Cooling

○ At 200+ mm/s, use a 5015 fan or dual setup to prevent sagging.

3. Tune Acceleration

○ 5,000-15,000 mm/s² on high-speed printers—reduce if ringing appears.

4. Avoid Overheating

○ At 20 mm/s with CHT, lower temp (e.g., 205°C for PLA) to prevent clogs.

Step 4: Troubleshoot Issues

● Stringing/Oozing: Speed or temp too high—slow down or cool it.

● Layer Separation: Too fast—reduce speed, boost cooling.

● Rough Surfaces: Vibrations—lower speed or stabilize frame.

● Under-Extrusion: Speed exceeds flow—slow down or raise temp.

● High-Speed Blobs: Cooling lags at 200+ mm/s—add fans or reduce speed.

Tools and Software for Optimizing Print Speed

Use these aids:

● Slicer Settings: In Cura, tweak “Print Speed,” “Wall Speed” (50%), and “Initial Layer Speed” (20 mm/s). PrusaSlicer has “Speed for Print Moves.”

● Profiles: Start with “Draft” (80 mm/s) or “High Quality” (30 mm/s).

● Plugins: Cura’s “Speed Tower” tests 20-100 mm/s automatically.

● Firmware: Klipper’s dynamic acceleration smooths 200 mm/s prints. 

How to Scale Speed for Larger Projects

Big prints need strategy:

● Time Savings: “A 12-hour print at 50 mm/s dropped to 8 hours at 75 mm/s—watch tall parts for warping.”

● Heat Management: Slow to 30 mm/s for bases, then 150 mm/s (high-speed) for upper layers.

● Batch Printing: “10 small parts at 200 mm/s with CHT saved hours—space them out.”

How to Balance Print Speed with Energy and Cost Efficiency

Optimize resources:

● Energy: “A 200 mm/s print cuts time and power (0.6 kWh vs. 1 kWh at 50 mm/s), but high acceleration spikes usage—aim for 80-150 mm/s.”

● Filament: “Slow speeds (20-40 mm/s) reduce retries, while fast infill (150 mm/s) saves time.”

● Step: “Compare print times in your slicer, estimate energy (0.1 kWh/hour), and weigh against filament savings.”

Choosing Print Speed Based on Post-Processing Needs

Speed / Flow Test (40-220 mm/s)

Finish matters:

● Rough: “80-100 mm/s (standard) or 200 mm/s (high-speed) if sanding heavily—layer lines don’t matter.”

● Smooth: “20-40 mm/s (standard) or 50-100 mm/s (high-speed) for minimal sanding.”

● Step: “Test two speeds, sand one for 10 minutes, and compare effort.”

How Environmental Conditions Affect Print Speed

Adapt to your space:

● Cold (15°C): “PLA at 100 mm/s might crack—slow to 60 mm/s or raise bed to 60°C.”

● Humid: “Wet PETG strings at 150 mm/s—dry it or cap at 80 mm/s.”

● Airflow: “Open windows overcool 200 mm/s prints—enclose or slow to 120 mm/s.”

● Step: “Use a hygrometer, adjust speed 10-20 mm/s lower if needed.”

Speed Considerations for Multi-Material or Multi-Color Prints

Dual setups complicate speed:

● Switching: “40-60 mm/s (standard) or 80-120 mm/s (high-speed) during transitions to avoid jams.”

● Details: “20-40 mm/s for fine color patterns, even with CHT.”

● Step: “Set ‘Wipe Tower Speed’ to 50% of base speed in your slicer.”

Recommended Print Speeds by Scenario

Maintenance Tips to Support Higher Speeds

Keep it running:

● Lubrication: Grease belts monthly for 100+ mm/s.

● Nozzle: Swap brass every 100-200 hours at high speeds; CHT lasts longer.

● Extruder: Tighten gears if clicking at 200 mm/s.

● Cooling: Clean fans for 250 mm/s airflow.

Advanced Techniques for Speed Enthusiasts

Go further:

● Flow Tuning: Test 25 mm³/s with a 0.6 mm CHT nozzle (speed × layer height × width).

● Dynamic: Use Klipper’s “Pressure Advance” for 200 mm/s curves.

● Hybrid: Infill at 200 mm/s, walls at 75 mm/s, details at 40 mm/s.

Community Tips and Speed Hacks from 3D Printing Forums

Crowd wisdom:

● Hack: “Ender 3 at 120 mm/s with tight belts and 195°C PLA—smooth enough.”

● CHT Trick: “Pause mid-print at 250 mm/s to clear heat creep.”

● Step: “Search forums, test one tip (e.g., +10% speed), and compare.”

How to Document and Share Your Speed Settings

Track and connect:

● Log: “Record: ‘PLA, 80 mm/s, 210°C, 0.2 mm, smooth.’”

● Share: “Post on X with #3DPrintSpeed and a photo.”

● Step: “Note what worked, tweak one variable (e.g., +20 mm/s), and share results.”

Pro Tips

● Standard: Reinforce frames, upgrade cooling.

● High-Speed with CHT: Test flow—don’t exceed 300 mm/s without elite cooling.

● Log: Keep detailed notes.

Speed Tuning Checklist

Use this reference to systematically dial in print speed based on your setup and project needs.

Preparation

● Define your project goal: prototyping, high-detail, or functional part

● Identify the filament type: PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, etc.

● Note your printer classification: standard or high-speed with CHT nozzle

Slicer Configuration

● Set base print speed (e.g., 50 mm/s for standard, 100 mm/s for high-speed)

● Adjust outer wall speed to approximately 50% of the base speed

● Set infill and support speeds based on model complexity and visibility

● Reduce initial layer speed to around 20 mm/s for improved bed adhesion

Testing and Calibration

● Print a calibration model (e.g., 3D Benchy or Speed Tower)

● Inspect print quality for:

○ Surface finish and layer consistency

○ Overhang and bridging performance

○ Dimensional accuracy

○ Adhesion and warping

Fine-Tuning Parameters

● Adjust temperature as needed (typically +5 to +10°C for higher speeds)

● Confirm cooling performance, especially above 150 mm/s

● Tune acceleration and jerk settings to eliminate artifacts like ringing

● Use flow rate tests to ensure the printer can handle the intended volume

Final Validation

● Run a full part at target speed and inspect for any new issues

● Document the final settings for repeatability or future comparison