How to Set Print Speed in Slicer for 3D Printing

To set print speed in a slicer, open your slicer software and locate the Print Speed or Speed settings, usually found under the print settings or speed tab. Adjust the values for different print stages like infill, perimeter, and support to control how fast your 3D printer moves during printing.

Syntax

Print speed settings in slicers are usually organized by print stages. Common speed parameters include:

• Perimeter Speed: Speed for outer walls.
• Infill Speed: Speed for filling inside the model.
• Support Speed: Speed for support structures.
• Travel Speed: Speed when the nozzle moves without printing.

You set these speeds by entering values in millimeters per second (mm/s) in the slicer's speed settings.

json

{
  "Perimeter Speed": 40,  // mm/s
  "Infill Speed": 60,     // mm/s
  "Support Speed": 50,    // mm/s
  "Travel Speed": 120     // mm/s
}

Example

This example shows how to set print speeds in PrusaSlicer, a popular slicer software:

1. Open PrusaSlicer and load your 3D model.
2. Go to the Print Settings tab.
3. Click on the Speed section.
4. Adjust the Perimeter speed to 35 mm/s for better surface quality.
5. Set Infill speed to 60 mm/s to print faster inside.
6. Set Travel speed to 150 mm/s to reduce non-print moves.
7. Save settings and slice your model.

ini

; PrusaSlicer speed settings example snippet
[print_speed]
perimeter_speed = 35
infill_speed = 60
travel_speed = 150

Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes when setting print speed include:

• Setting speeds too high: This can cause poor print quality, layer shifting, or nozzle skipping.
• Ignoring different speeds for print parts: Using the same speed for perimeters and infill can reduce surface quality.
• Not adjusting travel speed: Slow travel speed increases print time unnecessarily.

Always test with small prints to find the best balance between speed and quality.

json

{
  "Perimeter Speed": 100,  // Too fast, causes defects
  "Infill Speed": 100,
  "Travel Speed": 50      // Too slow, wastes time
}

{
  "Perimeter Speed": 40,  // Balanced for quality
  "Infill Speed": 60,     // Faster for internal fill
  "Travel Speed": 120     // Fast travel to save time
}

Quick Reference

Speed Type	Recommended Range (mm/s)	Purpose
Perimeter Speed	30-50	Controls outer wall quality
Infill Speed	50-80	Fills inside quickly
Support Speed	40-60	Builds support structures
Travel Speed	100-150	Moves nozzle without printing

Key Takeaways

Adjust print speed settings in your slicer under the speed or print settings tab.

Use slower speeds for perimeters to improve surface quality and faster speeds for infill to save time.

Set travel speed higher to reduce print time without affecting print quality.

Avoid setting speeds too high to prevent print defects and mechanical issues.

Test speed settings with small prints to find the best balance for your printer and material.