How Long Does It Take to 3D Print: Factors and Optimization

Have you ever wondered how long it takes to 3D print an object? The duration of 3D printing can vary significantly based on several factors such as object size, printing technology, materials used, layer height, and printer quality. Let’s delve deeper into this fascinating world of additive manufacturing and explore the intricacies of print times.

Factors Affecting 3D Printing Durations

3D printing durations can vary significantly based on several factors. Let’s break it down:

1. Object Size and Complexity:

   • Smaller objects with simple designs can be printed in as little as 20 minutes.
   • Larger, more intricate objects may take several hours or even days to complete.

2. Printing Technology:

   • Different types of 3D printers have varying speeds:
     • Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printers, which lay down thin layers of material, take time to build up the entire object. These can take hours.
     • Resin printers cure entire layers at once using UV lights, allowing for faster printing, especially when batch printing miniatures.

3. Materials Used:

   • Filaments like PLA and ABS handle faster speeds better than materials like TPU and PETG, which require slower printing speeds.
   • Resin generally prints faster than filament due to its layer-curing process.

4. Layer Height and Resolution:

   • Thinner layers result in finer details but longer print times.
   • Coarser layers print faster but with less detail.

5. Printer Quality and Hardware:

   • Some 3D printers are inherently faster due to their construction and choice of hardware.
   • For example, delta printers (like the FDM Flsun Super Racer) are generally faster than standard Cartesian printers.

6. Specific Examples:

   • A 3D cube can take anywhere from 20 minutes (for a hollow one) to over 100 hours (for large solid cubes).

Remember that these estimates are approximate, and actual printing times can vary based on specific settings and conditions. Your 3D printer software will provide an accurate time estimate for each print.

Factors Influencing 3D Printing Duration

The duration of 3D printing can be influenced by several factors. Let’s explore them:

1. Design Complexity: The intricacy of the design significantly impacts printing time. More complex designs take longer to print compared to simpler ones.

2. Object Size: Larger objects naturally require more time to print than smaller ones. The volume of material needed directly affects the printing duration.

3. Printer Technology: Different 3D printing technologies have varying speeds. For instance:

   • Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printers are generally slower but widely accessible.
   • Stereolithography (SLA) printers use UV light to cure resin layer by layer, resulting in faster printing times.
   • Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) printers use lasers to fuse powdered material, offering both speed and precision.

4. Layer Height and Thickness: The thickness of each layer and the height of each layer contribute to the overall printing time. Smaller layer heights improve print quality but extend the duration.

5. Material Used: Different materials have varying melting points and cooling times. Some materials may require higher extrusion temperatures, affecting the overall printing time.

The Impact of Speed in 3D Printing

Why Speed Matters:
The speed of 3D printers has significantly improved over time, allowing for faster completion of intricate models. What used to take hours can now be accomplished in mere minutes. Even budget-friendly printers have benefited from advancements like speedy firmware and high-flow filament.

Let’s explore how various 3D printers stack up in terms of both quickness and output quality.

Below, I’ve compiled a summary of our findings based on timed print tests using standard settings, maximum acceleration, and unrestricted flow. We tested several models from leading manufacturers, including Creality, Bambu Lab, and Prusa. Here’s what we discovered:

Printer	Time to Print (minutes)	Cooling	Ringing Layers	Default Print Speed	Max Speed	Max Acceleration
Creality K1 Max	13:50	Fair	No rough near overhangs	300 mm/s	600 mm/s	20,000 mm/s²
Creality K1	13:54	Fair	No rough near overhangs	300 mm/s	600 mm/s	20,000 mm/s²
Bambu Lab X1-Carbon	15:29	Good	Slight rough	250 mm/s	500 mm/s	20,000 mm/s²
Elegoo Neptune 4 Plus	16:25	Fair	Slight rough	250 mm/s	500 mm/s	12,000 mm/s²
Bambu Lab P1P	17:44	Fair	Good	270 mm/s	500 mm/s	20,000 mm/s²
Bambu Lab P1S	18:00	Fair	Little rough	270 mm/s	500 mm/s	20,000 mm/s²
Bambu Lab A1 Mini	19:17	Good	Excellent	270 mm/s	500 mm/s	10,000 mm/s²
Sovol SV07	19:24	Good	Fair	250 mm/s	500 mm/s	8,000 mm/s²
Elegoo Neptune 4	20:00	Good	Acceptable	250 mm/s	500 mm/s	5,000 mm/s²
AnkerMake M5c	20:04	Good	Good	270 mm/s	500 mm/s	5,000 mm/s²
Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro	20:06	Good	Acceptable	250 mm/s	500 mm/s	5,000 mm/s²
AnkerMake M5	23:00	Fair	Ok	250 mm/s	500 mm/s	5,000 mm/s²
BIQU Hurakan	24:31	Good	Slight rough	60 mm/s	150 mm/s	3,000 mm/s²
Prusa MK4	27:06	Good	Good	170 mm/s	300 mm/s	4,000 mm/s²
Prusa Mini+	28:47	Rough	Decent	140 mm/s	200 mm/s	4,000 mm/s²
Anycubic Kobra 2	32:00	Excellent	Good	150 mm/s	300 mm/s	3,000 mm/s²
Creality Ender 3 V3 SE	41:00	Good	Good	180 mm/s	250 mm/s	2,500 mm/s²
Sovol SV06	59:00	Excellent	Perfect	60 mm/s	200 mm/s	1,000 mm/s²

The fastest printer in our lineup is the Creality K1 Max, completing a Speed Benchy in just 13 minutes and 50 seconds. With a top speed of 600 mm/s and a max acceleration of 20,000 mm/s², it outpaces other brands by nearly 5 minutes. Keep in mind that quality output also varies significantly among these models.

Remember, speed isn’t everything—finding the right balance between speed and quality is essential for successful 3D printing. Lower speeds can

Practical Tips to Speed Up 3D Printing

Optimizing 3D printing time is essential for efficiency and productivity. Here are some practical tips to speed up your 3D printer without compromising print quality:

1. Increase Print Speed in Slicer Settings:

   • Gradually adjust the print speed settings in your slicer. While it doesn’t significantly impact print timing, it can help balance speed and quality.
   • Experiment with different speeds for perimeters, infill, and support material.

2. Acceleration & Jerk Settings:

   • Fine-tune acceleration and jerk settings in your printer’s firmware. These affect how quickly the printer accelerates and changes direction during movements.

3. Infill Pattern:

   • Choose an efficient infill pattern. Some patterns print faster than others while maintaining strength. Rectilinear or grid infill patterns are good options.

4. Infill Density:

   • Adjust the infill density. Lower densities reduce print time but maintain structural integrity. Experiment to find the right balance.

5. Wall Thickness/Shells:

   • Opt for thinner walls or shells. Reducing the number of outer layers can save time without compromising strength.

6. Dynamic Layer Height/Adaptive Layers Settings:

   • Use dynamic layer height (adaptive layers) settings if your slicer supports them. It adjusts layer height based on the geometry of the model, speeding up prints.

7. Print Multiple Objects in One Print:

   • Combine multiple smaller objects into a single print job. This reduces setup time and minimizes travel moves between objects.

8. Removing or Reducing Supports:

   • Evaluate whether supports are necessary for your design. If not, avoid using them to save time and material.

Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a high-speed 3D printer, consider the Creality Ender 3 V2 with a maximum printing speed of 200mm/s. It’s a popular choice among users.

Factors Affecting 3D Printing Duration

The duration of 3D printing can vary significantly based on several factors, including the type of printer, the complexity of the model, and the chosen materials. Let’s delve into the details:

1. Type of 3D Printer:

   • Different 3D printer technologies operate at varying speeds. For instance:
     • Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printers, like the Flsun Super Racer, construct objects by depositing layers of melted material. These are generally medium-speed printers.
     • Resin 3D printers cure entire layers of liquid resin using UV lights, allowing for faster batch printing.
     • Here’s a breakdown of some 3D printing technologies and their speeds:
       • LCD Medium Digital Light Processing (DLP): Medium speed
       • Stereolithography (SLA): Medium speed
       • FDM: Medium speed
       • Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM) / Selective Deposition Lamination (SDL): High speed
       • Selective Laser Sintering (SLS): Medium speed
       • Polyjet: High speed
       • Multi Jet Fusion (MJF): High speed.

2. Type of Materials:

   • Filaments like PLA and ABS handle faster speeds better than materials like TPU and PETG, which benefit from slower printer speeds.
   • Resin is generally faster to print than filament because it allows printing entire layers at once.
   • Industrial metal 3D printing with materials like steel or titanium takes much longer due to additional post-processing steps.

3. Average Print Times for Popular Projects (based on a layer height of 100 microns and a print speed of 50-60 mm/s):

   • 2×4 Lego: Approximately 10 minutes.
   • Cell Phone Case: Around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
   • Baseball (with 15% infill): Approximately 2 hours.
   • Small toys: Print times vary from 1 to 5 hours, depending on complexity.

In conclusion, optimizing the duration of 3D printing is crucial for efficiency and productivity. By considering factors like design complexity, object size, printing technology, layer height, and materials used, you can better estimate how long it will take to 3D print your models. Remember, finding the right balance between speed and quality is key to successful 3D printing.

Implementing practical tips like adjusting print speed, infill pattern, and wall thickness can help speed up your prints without sacrificing quality. Whether you’re a seasoned maker or a beginner in the world of 3D printing, understanding the variables that influence print times will empower you to make informed decisions and achieve impressive results in your creations.