What does the term "print speed" refer to in FDM?

In Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM), "print speed" specifically refers to the rate at which the printer head moves while extruding filament. This speed is a critical factor influencing the overall quality and efficiency of the 3D printing process. A higher print speed may lead to decreased quality, as the extrusion may not keep up with the head movement, affecting layer adhesion and detail resolution. Conversely, slower print speeds can improve print quality but at the expense of longer print times.

Understanding print speed is essential for optimizing prints, as it directly impacts layer resolution, surface finish, and the risk of issues like stringing and under-extrusion. This choice reflects the technical aspect of how the physical movement of the printer's components affects the layering of material, which is central to FDM technology.

The other options pertain to different concepts within the 3D printing process: feeding filament involves another part of the extrusion process, the overall duration of printing considers all aspects including setup and cooling times, and the cooling system's operation rate does not relate to the advancement of print layers but rather to how quickly the material solidifies post-extrusion. Each of these is valuable in its own right, but "print speed" is specifically about