3D printing speed directly impacts project timelines, especially in industries like healthcare, аэрокосмическая, и производство. Whether you’re printing a custom medical implant или прототип, understanding what drives speed—and how to balance it with quality—is critical. This article breaks down the core factors affecting 3D printing speed, compares 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:
| Технология | Typical Speed Range | Key Speed-Limiting Factors | Скорость преимущества |
| ФДМ (Сплавленное формование) | 10–100 мм/с | Printhead movement speed, material extrusion rate, model complexity | Бюджетный; easy to use for basic parts |
| СЛА (Стереолитмикромография) | Tens–100+ mm/s | Толщина слоя, resin curing speed, laser/LED power | Fast planar curing; ideal for high-detail parts |
| СЛС (Селективное лазерное спекание) | Tens of mm/s | Laser scanning precision, powder bed heating time | Handles complex geometries without supports |
| Полихет (Multi-Material Jetting) | Переменная (fast for small parts) | Number of printheads, part size, precision requirements | Многообразовательная печать; 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 мм/с.
- A high-speed SLA printer can finish the same cube in ~1.5 hours at 80 мм/с, 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—размер и сложность—directly slow down or speed up the process.
А. Размер: 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 (ФДМ) или вылечить (SLA/SLS), extending total runtime.
Пример: A 10cm × 10cm × 10cm cube takes 3–4x longer to print than a 5cm × 5cm × 5cm cube (ФДМ, same layer height).
Беременный. Сложность: Fine Details Slow Things Down
Models with intricate features (НАПРИМЕР., Полые структуры, тонкие стены, маленькие дыры) require slower speeds to ensure accuracy. Вот почему:
- The printhead/laser must start/stop frequently (ФДМ) or adjust scanning paths (SLA/SLS) to avoid errors.
- Delicate details need more precise control (НАПРИМЕР., lower extrusion speed for thin walls), increasing print time.
Тематическое исследование: An architectural model with complex hollow interiors takes 2x longer to print than a solid block of the same size (SLS technology).
3. Конфигурация аппаратного обеспечения: Printer Performance Matters
A printer’s hardware directly determines its maximum speed potential. Key components to consider include:
А. Printer Performance (Моторс, Рельс, Control Systems)
- Моторс: High-performance servo motors (common in industrial printers) enable faster, smoother movement of the printhead/laser than basic stepper motors (entry-level printers).
- Рельс: Linear guides (против. basic rods) уменьшить трение, allowing faster speeds without sacrificing precision.
- Control Systems: Advanced firmware (НАПРИМЕР., Marlin 2.0) optimizes movement paths, cutting down on unnecessary delays.
Сравнение: An industrial FDM printer (servo motors, linear rails) can print at 80–100 mm/s, while a consumer model (шаговые двигатели, basic rods) tops out at 40–60 mm/s.
Беременный. 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
В Yigu Technology, we balance speed and quality to meet medical and industrial needs. Для 3D printed medical devices (НАПРИМЕР., interbody fusion devices), we optimize hardware (high-precision servo motors, dual linear rails) и программное обеспечение (AI-driven path planning) to cut print time by 20–25% without compromising accuracy. We also tailor speed settings to part complexity: НАПРИМЕР., 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. Часто задаваемые вопросы: Common Questions About 3D Printing Speed
1 квартал: Can I increase 3D printing speed without losing quality?
Yes—within limits. Для простых частей, you can raise print speed (НАПРИМЕР., от 40 к 60 mm/s for FDM) if your printer has strong motors/rails. Для сложных частей, prioritize precision over speed to avoid defects.
2 квартал: Why is my SLA printer slower than advertised?
Advertised speeds often reflect ideal conditions (Простые части, 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 (не скорость). Однако, faster speeds may increase material waste if errors (НАПРИМЕР., stringing in FDM) происходить, so balance speed with quality to minimize waste.