Whether you’re a hobby printer or a professional, you can benefit from improved 3D printing efficiency. Saving time on your projects also preserves your valuable resources and energy. While enhancing your methods might seem intimidating if you’re new to the craft, making small changes that positively affect your prints is easy. Here are some tips for speeding up your 3D printing process.
Increase Layer Height
One of the best ways to quicken your prints speeds is to increase your layer height. Using short layers requires your printer to extrude more materials on a smaller surface area. Creating taller layers is perfect if you’re printing models that don’t need lots of intricate details, so consider adapting your designs with increased layer heights.
Use Larger Nozzles
If you’re going to print models with taller layers, you’ll need to use larger nozzles to produce your materials. Bigger nozzles dump more materials at once, immensely reducing your printing time. Nozzle size and layer height go hand in hand and will ultimately depend on your print design and the product you're trying to create. If you’re on a time crunch and don’t need to worry as much about accuracy, these are simple changes that will transform your printing process.
Change Infill Patterns
It takes lots of time and material to print solid structures. Finding ways to reduce your models’ infills can shave off some valuable printing time. The easiest way to do this is by incorporating a honeycomb-shaped design to fill in your hollow prints. This way, you can maintain a good balance between wall thickness and density without risking the structural integrity of your 3D printing project.
Upgrade Your Equipment
The final tip for speeding up your 3D printing process is upgrading your equipment. 3D printers have come a long way, and there are several modifications you can make to your tools to improve your methods. For example, you can learn about dual extruder upgrades to quickly switch between materials and create ultra-detailed prints. You should also invest in post-production equipment, such as ultrasonic cleaners, to finish your designs off in record time.
Improving 3D printing techniques will transform you into an expert printer in no time. Step up your game with these tips and take your printing projects to the next level.
