Print speed is the standard speed of the printer during its job. We can go further through many other speed parameters and change the values.
We can modify:
- travel speed;
- bottom layer speed;
- infill speed;
- top/bottom speed;
- outer shell speed;
- inner shell speed.
As you can see in the picture, the majority of those parameters are 0 (Advanced page – Speed). This means the speed of the printer will be according to the Print Speed parameter (Basic page – Speed and Temperature).
When we enter the speeds values, the printer will move accordingly during its printing process in that specific area of the 3D entity.
Travel speed: it is the only parameter that does not have an extrusion. The printer moves while it creates the object, and when it goes from point A to point B, it doesn’t extrude. Generally, the retraction activates before it moves, and the average speed is between 90 mm/s and 150 mm/s.
Bottom layer speed: it should be low because the first layer needs to be abundant in extrusion. Low speed compensates for abundant extrusion.
Another reason why the bottom layer speed should be low is because of the operator. You need to give him time to level the building pate.
It’s important to always check on the first layer because many problems begin exactly at this phase.
Top/bottom speed: set it according to your needs. Examples of custom top/bottom speed include gradually topping an almost empty object. It needs to be done gently to avoid holes or smears.
Another example is when the object has many bridges or hanging parts, and they are better done slowly.
Infill speed: I rarely change it, but it’s useful to know that it can save up some time. The printer goes faster when printing the infill, and this is not a problem because even if the resolution is low, infill is a hidden part, so you don’t have to worry about it being messy.
Inner/outer shell speed: generally, it’s set low when the print speed is high. This way, when the print speed is high, but we still want the shells to be aesthetically good, it slows down the extrusion.
Try to avoid changing the flow (%) because the 3D printers are made up of components that wear out during the time.
That’s why sometimes I level out the different speeds, to avoid changing the flow.