3D printing speed directly impacts project timelines, surtout dans des secteurs comme la santé, aérospatial, et fabrication. Whether you’re printing a custom medical implant or a prototype, comprendre ce qui détermine la vitesse (et comment l'équilibrer avec la qualité) est essentiel. Cet article détaille les principaux facteurs affectant la vitesse d'impression 3D, compare les technologies, and offers practical insights to help you optimize your workflow.
1. How 3D Printing Technologies Impact Speed
Different 3D printing technologies have distinct speed capabilities, shaped by their core working principles. The table below compares the typical speed ranges and key influencing factors for four common technologies:
| Technologie | Typical Speed Range | Key Speed-Limiting Factors | Avantages de la vitesse |
| FDM (Moulage par dépôt fondu) | 10–100mm/s | Printhead movement speed, material extrusion rate, complexité du modèle | Faible coût; easy to use for basic parts |
| ANS (Stéréolithographie) | Tens–100+ mm/s | Épaisseur de couche, resin curing speed, laser/LED power | Fast planar curing; ideal for high-detail parts |
| SLS (Frittage sélectif au laser) | Tens of mm/s | Laser scanning precision, powder bed heating time | Handles complex geometries without supports |
| Polyjet (Multi-Material Jetting) | Variable (fast for small parts) | Number of printheads, part size, exigences de précision | Impression multi-matériaux; quick for small batches |
Real-World Speed Example
- An entry-level FDM printer takes ~4 hours to print a 5cm × 5cm × 5cm simple cube at 20 mm/s.
- A high-speed SLA printer can finish the same cube in ~1.5 hours at 80 mm/s, thanks to its layer-by-layer resin curing (no point-by-point material deposition like FDM).
2. Print Object Characteristics: Size and Complexity
Two key properties of the printed object—taille et complexité—directly slow down or speed up the process.
UN. Taille: Larger Parts = Longer Print Times
Printing speed decreases as part size increases because:
- Each layer covers a larger area, requiring more time for the printhead/laser to traverse.
- More material needs to be extruded (FDM) or cured (SLA/SLS), extending total runtime.
Exemple: A 10cm × 10cm × 10cm cube takes 3–4x longer to print than a 5cm × 5cm × 5cm cube (FDM, same layer height).
B. Complexité: Fine Details Slow Things Down
Models with intricate features (par ex., structures creuses, parois minces, petits trous) require slower speeds to ensure accuracy. Here’s why:
- The printhead/laser must start/stop frequently (FDM) or adjust scanning paths (SLA/SLS) to avoid errors.
- Delicate details need more precise control (par ex., lower extrusion speed for thin walls), increasing print time.
Étude de cas: An architectural model with complex hollow interiors takes 2x longer to print than a solid block of the same size (SLS technology).
3. Hardware Configuration: Printer Performance Matters
A printer’s hardware directly determines its maximum speed potential. Key components to consider include:
UN. Printer Performance (Moteurs, Rails, Control Systems)
- Moteurs: High-performance servo motors (common in industrial printers) enable faster, smoother movement of the printhead/laser than basic stepper motors (entry-level printers).
- Rails: Linear guides (contre. basic rods) réduire les frottements, allowing faster speeds without sacrificing precision.
- Control Systems: Advanced firmware (par ex., Marlin 2.0) optimizes movement paths, cutting down on unnecessary delays.
Comparaison: An industrial FDM printer (servo motors, linear rails) can print at 80–100 mm/s, while a consumer model (moteurs pas à pas, basic rods) tops out at 40–60 mm/s.
B. Number of Printheads
Multiple printheads boost speed by enabling parallel work:
- Dual-printhead FDM printers: One printhead handles the main part, while the other prints support structures (no need to pause and switch tasks).
- Multi-printhead PolyJet printers: Print multiple small parts or different materials simultaneously, reducing total batch time.
4. Yigu Technology’s Perspective on 3D Printing Speed
Chez Yigu Technologie, we balance speed and quality to meet medical and industrial needs. Pour 3D printed medical devices (par ex., interbody fusion devices), we optimize hardware (high-precision servo motors, dual linear rails) et logiciel (AI-driven path planning) to cut print time by 20–25% without compromising accuracy. We also tailor speed settings to part complexity: par ex., 50–60 mm/s for porous fusion devices (to ensure pore precision) and 70–80 mm/s for solid components. Our goal is to deliver fast, reliable prints that meet strict industry standards.
5. FAQ: Common Questions About 3D Printing Speed
Q1: Can I increase 3D printing speed without losing quality?
Yes—within limits. Pour les pièces simples, you can raise print speed (par ex., depuis 40 à 60 mm/s for FDM) if your printer has strong motors/rails. Pour pièces complexes, prioritize precision over speed to avoid defects.
Q2: Why is my SLA printer slower than advertised?
Advertised speeds often reflect ideal conditions (pièces simples, thin layers). Slowdowns occur with thick layers (slower curing) or complex models (frequent path adjustments). Check your layer height and model geometry to optimize.
Q3: Does faster 3D printing use more material?
No—material usage depends on part volume (not speed). Cependant, faster speeds may increase material waste if errors (par ex., stringing in FDM) occur, so balance speed with quality to minimize waste.