What is the significance of print speed in FDM?

Print speed in Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) plays a crucial role in both the completion time of a print job and the quality of the printed object. A higher print speed means that the printer can produce the model more quickly, reducing the overall time required to finish a print. However, this can also lead to potential trade-offs in quality. If the print speed is too high, there may not be enough time for the filament to properly adhere to the previous layers, which can result in issues such as poor layer adhesion, warping, or a rough surface finish.

Additionally, print speed can affect the extrusion rate; if the speed is faster than what the extruder can adequately supply filament, under-extrusion can occur, leading to gaps and structural weaknesses in the final product. Conversely, if the print speed is set too slow, it can lead to over-extrusion and a longer print time without necessarily improving quality beyond a certain point.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the impact of print speed in FDM. For instance, print speed does not determine color, control filament usage directly, or dictate nozzle temperature. Understanding the balance of print speed is essential for optimizing both time efficiency and print quality in F