One of the factors that affects both speed and quality of your print is the acceleration of your 3D printer. Acceleration is the rate of change of speed, and it determines how fast your printer can move from one point to another. Too high acceleration can cause vibrations, ringing, and loss of accuracy. Too low acceleration can result in longer print times and lower productivity.
So how do you calculate the optimal acceleration for your 3D printer? There is no definitive answer, as different models and settings may require different values. However, there are some general steps you can follow to find a good balance between speed and quality.
- Start with the default acceleration value that your printer manufacturer recommends. You can usually find this in the firmware settings or the slicer software.
- Print a test model that has sharp corners, curves, and details. You can use a calibration cube, a benchy, or any other model that suits your purpose.
- Examine the print quality and look for signs of over- or under-acceleration. Over-acceleration can cause ringing, ghosting, or overshooting on the edges of the model. Under-acceleration can cause blobbing, stringing, or under-extrusion on the corners and curves.
- Adjust the acceleration value by 10% increments and repeat steps 2 and 3 until you find the best compromise between speed and quality. You can also adjust other parameters such as jerk, speed, and flow rate to fine-tune your results.
- Enjoy your optimized 3D prints!