How to Change Print Speed on Ender 3 Pro？
The Ender 3 Pro is one of the most popular 3D printers in the market, known for its affordability, versatility, and strong community support. Whether you're printing detailed models or rapid prototypes, one critical setting that can drastically affect your print quality and time is the print speed.
If you're wondering how to change print speed on Ender 3 Pro, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know—step by step.
What is Print Speed and Why Does it Matter?
Print speed refers to how fast the printer’s extruder moves while laying down filament. It’s usually measured in millimeters per second (mm/s). Adjusting this setting allows you to:
- Reduce print time for large objects
- Improve print quality for intricate details
- Avoid printing failures caused by too-fast movement
The default print speed on most Ender 3 Pro setups is around 50 mm/s, which balances quality and speed for common materials like PLA. However, advanced users often tweak this value depending on the model complexity and filament type.
Method 1: Change Print Speed on Ender 3 Pro During Printing
One of the simplest ways to adjust your print speed is directly from the printer’s interface while the print is running. This is ideal for on-the-fly tweaks.
Steps:
1. Start a print as you normally would using your SD card.
2. Once printing begins, press the control knob on the LCD screen.
3. Scroll to the “Tune” menu and select it.
4. Choose the “Speed” option.
5. Rotate the knob to increase or decrease the percentage:
- 100% = normal speed
- 150% = 1.5x faster
- 80% = 20% slower
6. Press the knob to confirm your changes.
This setting changes the overall speed multiplier, meaning every movement in your G-code is sped up or slowed down by that percentage. It’s a temporary change that resets after each print.
Method 2: Change Print Speed in Slicing Software (Recommended)
For permanent and more precise control over print speeds, it’s best to set your speeds in slicing software like Ultimaker Cura before generating the G-code.
Steps in Cura:
1. Open Cura and import your 3D model.
2. Select your printer as Ender 3 Pro.
3. Click on the “Custom” tab under print settings (if you’re using “Recommended”, switch to Custom).
4. Expand the “Speed” section.
Expand the “Speed” section.
- Print Speed: The main print speed (Default: 50 mm/s for PLA)
- Infill Speed: Speed for infill layers (Usually faster)
- Wall Speed: Outer shell speed (Usually slower for smoother finish)
- Support Speed: Speed for support structures
- Travel Speed: Movement speed when not printing (affects stringing)
Example Speed Setup for PLA:
- Print Speed: 50 mm/s
- Infill Speed: 60 mm/s
- Wall Speed: 30 mm/s
- Support Speed: 40 mm/s
- Travel Speed: 120 mm/s
5. Once you’ve adjusted your speeds, click “Slice” and export the G-code to your SD card.
This popular pattern creates a crosshatch structure at 90° angles. It supports top surfaces well but can lead to nozzle clogging due to overlapping lines in the same layer.
Using Cura gives you more control and consistency compared to changing speed mid-print.
Best Print Speeds by Material (For Ender 3 Pro)
| Material | Recommended Speed (mm/s) | Notes |
| PLA | 50–60 | Easiest to print, forgiving at higher speeds |
| PETG | 40–50 | Slower for better adhesion and less stringing |
| ABS | 40–60 | Use enclosure to avoid warping |
| TPU | 20–30 | Flexible, needs slower speed to avoid jams |
| Nylon | 30–50 | Requires high temp and slow speed for best results |
Troubleshooting: What Happens If Print Speed Is Too High?
If you increase your print speed too much, you might notice:
- Poor layer adhesion
- Warping or curling
- Ringing/ghosting around sharp corners
- Under-extrusion or gaps
Reducing the speed can help in all of the above scenarios. It’s always a balance between quality and time.
Conclusion
Understanding how to change print speed on Ender 3 Pro is essential to improving your 3D printing experience. Whether you’re after faster prints or higher detail, adjusting speed can make a noticeable difference. Use the printer menu for quick tweaks, or go deeper in your slicer for full control.
By experimenting with speed settings based on your filament and model type, you’ll unlock the full potential of your Ender 3 Pro.
FAQs About How to Change Print Speed on Ender 3 Pro
What is the recommended print speed for the Ender 3 Pro?
The ideal print speed for the Ender 3 Pro is typically between 50–60mm/s for standard-quality prints. Higher speeds may reduce print quality, while lower speeds improve detail and adhesion.
Can I change the print speed during an active print?
Yes, you can adjust print speed on the Ender 3 Pro mid-print using the control knob. Go to Tune > Speed, then turn the knob to increase or decrease the percentage of the current speed.
Will increasing print speed affect print quality?
Increasing speed can reduce print quality, especially in detailed or complex parts. For best results, balance speed with nozzle temperature and cooling settings to avoid under-extrusion or layer shifting.
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