Advances in technology have revolutionized the way we do business, allowing people to print from their mobile devices or use the printer to quickly print a physical copy for meetings. Things can get a bit confusing and less structured if this feature is not available.
In addition, 3D printing technology has advanced considerably and these printers combine high speeds with excellent precision.
In my writings you will learn a lot about 3D printers and how fast they are. Follow my guide to uncovering the big question in the print market today: “What types of printers are the fastest 3D printers today?”
How does a 3D printer work and how fast is it?
How does a 3D printer work?
Three-dimensional printing known as additive manufacturing is a relatively new technology. In particular, these 3D printing machines build realistic objects by layering materials on top of each other, a process known as additive manufacturing (AM). It’s similar to 2D printing, but with the addition of a third dimension: height. Its mode of operation is also “unique” as it is a hardener and binder printer rather than an ink printer.
To create a three-dimensional thing from scratch, you’ll need a combination of cutting-edge software, powder materials, and precision equipment. The main processes that 3D printers use to bring ideas to life are as follows.
First of all, everything starts with the creation of a graphic model of the printed object. In short, this step is 3D modeling. Computer-aided design (CAD) software packages are commonly used to create them, and this is the most time-consuming element of the procedure.
Second, the model will be digitally cut to remove the imprint. Since 3D printers cannot understand 3D models the way humans do, this is a crucial step: the slicing model. The model is divided into layers using the layering technique. The design of each layer is then routed to the printhead to be printed or placed in the correct order.
A special program such as CraftWare or Astroprint is commonly used to complete the slicing process. The software will also handle “infilling” the model, establishing a mesh structure in the solid model to increase stability if needed.
Also, the end comes when the modeling and cutting of a 3D object are finished, it is the turn of the 3D printer to take over.
In the direct 3D printing method, the printer works similar to a standard inkjet printer, with a nozzle going back and forth as it deposits layer by layer of a wax or plastic-like polymer, waiting for each layer to dry before adding the next. . It works by stacking hundreds or thousands of two-dimensional prints on top of each other to create a three-dimensional item.
How fast is it?
Compared to more traditional procedures such as hand prototyping and CNC machining, 3D printing is known for its speed, accuracy and cost-effectiveness. Designers can more easily generate complex designs with 3D printing, and unlike traditional techniques, 3D printed parts and prototypes can be produced in hours (instead of days or weeks), allowing organizations to be faster and more efficient in design cycles.
As far as I know 3D printers differ in speed, the slowest printers print at around 40-50mm/s, otherwise the fastest ones print around 150mm/s. Generally, we can set the 3D printing speed of your printer in the software settings.
How to adjust the print speed?
In my opinion, high print speed plays an important role in terms of print quality. For example, if we adjust the speed setting too quickly, the print quality may deteriorate.
It would look nothing like our slicer when printed. I imagine our product would be covered in hairs and lumps.
So to take full advantage of 3D printing, we need to manage the printing speed.
Essentially, how you set the speed is mostly determined by the software you’re using. Also, there is a tradeoff between how quickly we can melt the plastic, print the plastic, and move the machine while maintaining quality. In short, most materials will move at speeds ranging from 40 to 100 millimeters per second at their fastest. Basically we see a range of speeds depending on the shape of the part. The settings vary depending on where you are, what type of filament you are using, and what machine you are using. So for beginners, 40 millimeters per second is a good starting point, and you can probably increase that to 60 millimeters per second using the base materials.
What factors influence the speed of 3D printing?
I note a few factors that can influence how quickly a 3D printer can produce objects: technology, material, and resolution.
When it comes to technology, there are two main types of 3D printers: FDM printers and resin 3D printers.
As far as I know, FDM 3D printers, which are the most popular, create objects more slowly, while resin 3D printers print things quickly.
Apart from the technological factor, the resolution also weighs on the speed. The number of layers in your model is called the resolution.
In particular, the more layers, the longer it will take to print. As a result, things with fewer layers will print faster.
As a model printed at a lower resolution will take less time but will be less elaborate and accurate, the resolution is highly dependent on the quality of the finished object.
The last factor is the material, it is considered as a crucial factor which can determine the printing speed. The printing process will take longer if we use specific polymers or filament types than if you use other materials.
6 fastest 3D printers
Anycubic Photon Mono X
The Anycubic Photon Mono X is the latest in a long line of fantastic Anycubic 3D printers that we love.
The Photon Mono X has a respectable print rate of 60mm/s, which is pretty impressive for the price. We also like the large build volume, which means you won’t be limited to what you can print at one time.
In addition to print speed, the big names in MSLA 3D printing today often have two things going for them: fast print speeds and excellent resolution. The Photon Mono X has a monochrome display, as the name suggests. Print speeds of 60mm/s at 0.05mm layer height are now possible.
With a huge build volume of 19.18 x 11.99 x 24.99 cm, the ANYCUBIC Photon Mono X allows you to print multiple models of the same size at once, saving time and effort. to increase production. Additionally, the Mono X can be programmed to stop printing immediately after the lid is opened, making it safe to use and observe the printing process. It is also easy to use for beginners and offers excellent performance for amateurs.
Here are some of the pros and cons of this device.
advantages
- An economical 3D printer with a very high sprint speed
- A higher level of precision and stability
- Using the Photon Workshop program is very simple
- Resin-based with 4K screen and WiFi connection
the inconvenients
- Cleaning the build deck can be a challenge.
- No spillage of smooth resin vat
the price of this device – Anycubic Photon Mono X is around $600-$800
Mega S Anycubic
If you’re on a tight budget but still want a 3D printer that prints fast, I highly recommend the Anycubic Mega S, which is one of the five fast 3D printers.
It is one of the most powerful inexpensive 3D printers available, with print rates of up to 100mm/s. It’s not the fastest on our list, but it’s definitely fast for the price.
In terms of great features, with its ability to resume printing and sensor detection. We can restart printing after a power outage or other unplanned interruption. In the event of a power outage, simply click to restart from the last saved position. When the filament runs out, the sensor stops printing and an alert sounds, saving you time and money.
Additionally, the Mega S also features a simple touchscreen and easy-to-use user interface. We will also discover an optimized extruder, the filament run-out detection (as I mentioned above) and the unique microporous coating, which makes it easy to remove the printed objects once cooled.
Also, as far as I know, this printer is considered to be an extremely capable 3D printer with a wide range of features. The combination of high-quality prints and fast speeds, along with its affordable price, make it an excellent 3D printer for quickly creating objects.
In short, you can take a look at its pros and cons:
advantages
- Makes it easier to remove objects from the print bed.
- Filament eccentricity detection.
- Print at high speeds while maintaining quality.
- Resume printing after a power outage without any hassle.
- An easy-to-use touch screen and a pleasant user interface.
- Reasonable price.
the inconvenients
- A noisy printing process due to its open print chamber.
- High energy consumption, especially during heating.
- assembly required
With its price, the Anycubic Mega S falls into the category of relatively cheap gadgets.
Flusun QQ-S Pro
The FLSUN QQ-S Pro is one of the fastest pre-assembled 3D printers on the market. The printer prints at a much faster rate than other 3D printers on the market. The printer simplifies printing, allowing for quick setup.
Along with the fast print speed, this unit includes automatic bed leveling, which is a handy feature. An auto-leveling sensor is included in the printhead, which measures a 21-point grid on the print bed. Each print should have the first layers precisely flat and smooth. It only needs to be auto-leveled once, as it is a delta printer with a fixed (not movable) print bed, which makes it extremely easy for beginners .
Flsun QQ-S Pro uses one type of extruder – Titan Extruder. This extruder allows you to print flexible filaments by maintaining a good fixation and guiding them through the printer. Also, the lattice glass platform is another great feature. The relevance of the printing platform on which our model will be built should not be underestimated. You will get a surface called Lattice Glass Platform, which provides excellent adhesion for the first print and allows easy removal of the print after cooling.
Although a cheap unit, the Flsun QQ-S Pro can be upgraded successfully and comes with a user-friendly 3.2 inch touchscreen which makes printing nice and simple. It can also print items with a size of 255 x 255 x 360 mm, which is much larger than most low-end 3D printers.
advantages
- Using different types of print media
- Easily remove the product
- Long service life thanks to the cooling system
- Have resume print function
- Ease of assembly and configuration
- Nice touch screen
the inconvenients
- messy wiring color
- Missing a rubber grommet to avoid rubbing the metal.
- Please take time to get used to using this printer.
As I mentioned the low price, the Flsun QQ-S Pro only costs from 300 USD to 400 USD.
Zortrax M200 PLUS
This 2018 polish beauty is designed for low to medium production businesses that require high speed printing.
The Zortrax M200 Plus is a 3D printing workhorse that stands for unparalleled print quality and reliable, unattended operation. The Zortrax M200 Plus offers exceptional dimensional accuracy and built-in consistency of the Zortrax ecosystem, whether used for industrial manufacturing or prototyping.
We can benefit from the fairly large build space of 200mm x 200mm x 180mm, as well as the filament runout detection feature, which we always like to see with a 3D printer. Additionally, this extremely easy to use 3D printer would be perfect for beginners who are still learning the craft but want to take advantage of reasonable print speeds.
With the built-in camera, we can leave the Zortrax M200 Plus on its own devices while watching it from afar. It will definitely catch your attention, I believe. In addition, the exposure time of the model and the supports can be chosen independently. Support structures are hardened and therefore easier to remove using this technique.
advantages
- Internet connection.
- A user-friendly touch screen.
- Support for a variety of printed materials.
- Ability to resume printing
- The body with the camera closed
the inconvenients
- Lack of dual extruder
- Difficulty printing in multiple colors
- Limit the complexity of our projects
- Bad warranty.
Delta WASP 2040 Turbo 2
In the FDM desktop 3D printer category, the Delta WASP 2040 Turbo 2 is known to be one of the fastest printing machines. Since its creation in 2017, the printing house has unquestionably occupied this place.
To be honest, my first thought was that the Delta WASP 2040 Turbo 2 was a mini robot. For this reason, this unit has a unique design that sets it apart from other extrusion 3D printers.
Moreover, Delta WASP Turbo 2 is considered one of the most versatile. It has a large build volume, so you can print with a variety of materials, even advanced materials. Also, with additional extruders, this printer allows us to work with clay, porcelain, and other liquid materials to create stunning products.
Speaking of print speed, I think this amazing feature can differentiate this Delta WASP Turbo 2 from others in the same price range. It offers a print speed of 500 mm per second for the production of functional components and prototypes, unmatched in the 3D printing industry. In short, it brings us a very high printing speed. Therefore, it should be noted that the print quality is maintained even when printing at such a high speed.
In addition, this printer is pre-assembled, so all we have to do is plug it in and start printing with excellent speed. However, I suggest you read the printer’s instructions before you begin. If you are really interested in the 3D printing profession that you want to explore in the long term to make a career out of it, Delta WASP Turbo 2 is the best option I believe. It will help you learn the basics and put them into practice in the form of working components and prototypes.
advantages
- Great speed printing.
- Ability to work with a wide range of different materials
- attractive design
- automatic calibration system
- Efficient heat-resistant mechanics
the inconvenients
- Post-processing difficulty
- an expensive printer
- Quite outdated control.
Massivet 1800
This machine is a large format 3D printer with a unique extrusion technique. The name “Massivit” is a big clue as it has a massive build capacity of 1450mm x 1110mm x 1800mm.
The printer is capable of producing large-scale items with its massive build capability.
The printer also has a fast print speed of up to 1000mm/second. Large items can be produced in a short time due to the high speed.
The 3D printer uses Gel Dispensing Printing (GDP) technology due to its professional capabilities. The printer’s extruder can now work with gel thanks to this technology.
Along with this, GDP provides an edge over many FDM printers, contributing to a superior overall finish. This printer is used to make a variety of items including movie props and art displays.
This implies that things are expensive, but you get what you pay for. If you are lucky enough to be able to operate the Massivit 1800, you will find it simple to use once you become familiar with gel dispensing printing (GDP).
advantages
- Really fast print speed.
- Ability to print two objects in parallel.
- High precision and complex design without any hassle.
the inconvenients
- an expensive printer
- really big size
Conclusion
In short, speed is especially important for maintaining a high quality of life and producing as many interesting and useful 3D prints as possible. This may be more important in industry, and companies often choose an industrial 3D printer that can meet their production speed needs.
So these types of printers listed above are the fastest 3D printers I believe. They are the fastest 3D printers on the market. Whatever your needs, there’s a fast 3D printer for you.