This post may contain affiliate links, which means that we get commissions for purchases made through such links, at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Welcome to this comprehensive article about the speed of a resin 3D printer. We have been exploring the world of resin 3D printers for some time. And one thing we found interesting is the issue of print speed. Our team has done due diligence in finding out how fast a resin 3D printer is, and the different factors that affect 3D printing speed. Read on, as we supply insight on this topic.
How fast is a resin 3D printer? In general, a resin 3D printer can produce a 3D model as fast as within 30 minutes or as long as one week or even more, depending on the size of your model, the resin type, the type of printer you’re using, and the print resolution. A large 3D model printed using Draft Resin in an SLA printer with a layer height of 200 microns will require about 9 hours of printing. A large model, in this context, is one that almost fully occupies a 15cm cube printer. Draft Resin is a high-speed 3D resin material, and it is about 3-4 times faster than other resin types.
Nine hours may seem like a lot of time, but Draft Resin 3D printing is accurate and fast enough for prototyping needs. You can print quickly, evaluate the model’s quality, and proceed to other prints or projects. As you read on, we will explain how different factors can affect 3D printing speed.
Factors Affecting the Speed of Resin 3D Printers
Model size and details are leading factors that affect the speed of resin 3D printers. The type of printer you’re using and the print-resolution settings also matter. For a faster print speed, use a high-quality printer and use the lowest possible print resolution that will give you as much detail and precision as is required for your application.
The different factors that can affect the print speed of resin 3D printing are as follows:
Model Size
If your model is large, you will need more resin, as well as more time to print the model. The size of the model is in terms of volume, and not just height. Just make sure you have enough resin to print your model so that there will be no further delays. Having to refill resin will take more time.
Object Detail and Geometry
Objects with intricate details require more time to print. So if your model has details, such as strings, divots, and other intricate or unique features, the printing speed will be remarkably slower. Solid, uniform projects, on the other hand, are much faster to print.
Print Resolution
Print resolution plays a vital role in the speed of resin printing. Higher print resolution means that the printer will print lower layer heights. This requires the printer to print more layers, which further reduces print speed. When you print with a high resolution, you will get a better print quality but you will have to sacrifice speed.
Resin Type
The fastest resin type is Draft Resin, which offers 3-4 times more print speed than other standard resins. It is a recent innovation that allows for rapid prototyping. Its high speed makes it suitable for printing large models with any type of resin printer.
Printer Type
This is the only factor you can’t change when it comes to printing speed. High-quality printers will print faster than cheap, low-quality models. And if you have a low-quality 3D printer, you can’t modify it. The only way to achieve faster printing is to upgrade the system completely.
There are three main types of resin 3D printers:
- SLA (Stereolithography) 3D printers are the most popular. They print each layer of 3D models with lasers. They are very precise but usually quite slow.
- DLP (Digital Light Projection) printers use digital projectors to cast each layer of 3D models at once. generally , they have a faster printing speed than SLA printers. But they are not as precise
- LCD flashes each layer at once, so they are quite fast too.
What Is The Fastest 3D Resin Printer Type?
LCD and DLP printers are faster than the more popular SLA 3D printing technology if we’re considering only the model size. However, SLA printers are faster than both LCD and DLP printers if we consider the print quality and resolution. It will take an LCD or a DLP printer much longer to print the same size of model with the same quality and precision as an SLA printer.
When considering the printing speed of 3D printers, the raw printing speed should not be the only parameter. We should also consider the throughput. If we are considering just the raw printing speed, there is no significant difference between the three types of 3D printers. Where they differ is in their throughput.
In LCD and DLP printing, each layer of resin printed is exposed at the same time, so there is uniformity. The print speed, therefore, depends on how tall the model is. But in SLA printing, the layer is outlined with a laser. SLA printers practically draw and outline each layer while LCD and DLP printers cast each of the layers instead.
When to Use SLA vs. LCD vs. DLP
SLA 3D resin printers are faster for small and medium-sized single parts. LCD and DLP 3D resin printers, on the other hand, are faster for large and fully-dense 3D prints, as well as complex prints with several parts. But remember that you must consider the issue of precision and quality too.
The Speed of Resin 3D Printer vs. FDM Printer
Printing 3D parts with a layer height of 200 microns on a typical FDM (fused deposition modeling) printer will take about 80 to 90 hours. FDM printers use filaments to create 3D models, instead of resins. These printers are much slower than SLA printers (using draft resin). More so, they require a lower layer height to achieve the same quality as draft resin 3D printing. This means you need even more time for the same quality of resin 3D models.
Your printing application also affects how resin 3D printers compare with SLA (or resin) printers speed-wise. The speed of resin 3D vs. FDM printers varies in different settings. One type of 3D printer may be consistently faster than the other in certain use cases.
✅ Video – 3D Printing Technology Comparison: Speed
This video by Formlabs compares the printing speed of three different 3D printing technologies. It compares not only the printing speed, but also the time it takes to set up each printer type, and the time required for post-processing.
When is Resin 3D Printing Faster?
Resin 3D printers are faster for high-detail 3D applications because they have a higher print resolution than FDM printers. Examples of these applications include dentistry, miniatures, jewelry, and model-making.
This is why I explained before that you will need much more time to achieve 3D resin print quality using FDM printers. For the same quality, FDM printers will slow down printing quite drastically. Resin printing, on the other hand, will emerge faster.
When is FDM 3D Printing Faster?
FDM is faster for prototyping applications because they don’t require high detail or quality. If you are printing a very large 3D model with little to no complex parts, FDM printers will do a faster job. You can increase the layer height to achieve a faster printing speed. But this will mean sacrificing quality and precision.
Other Ways to Increase FDM Printing Speed
Aside from increasing layer heights, you can increase FDM printing speed in the following ways:
- Use a wider extruder nozzle that can let more plastic out at once.
- Adjust wall thickness and infill density to reduce tool paths.
- Increase the printing speed in the printer’s setting
Bear in mind that all of these methods will reduce print quality one way or the other. But then, with FDM, you have more options for increasing printing speed than 3D resin printing.
Print Quality of 3D Resin vs. FDM Printing
Resin 3D printing produces higher resolution models than FDM printing. The technology is also more accurate and is ideal for watertight and isotropic parts and prototypes. You can use resin printers for a vast array of advanced models with smooth surface finishes and ultra-fine features. These include regular, engineering, and industrial-grade formulations with wide-ranging optical, thermal, and mechanical properties.
FDM printers form 3D layers as the extrusion nozzles deposit molten material line by line. With this technology, the print quality depends largely on how big the nozzle is. There are usually voids between successive lines deposited by large nozzles. Consequently, the connections between successive layers are usually not so strong.
What’s more, in fast-paced FDM printing, you will see the different layers clearly on the exterior. Unlike resin printers, FDM printers can’t handle 3D parts with intricate details.
Use Case for Resin 3D Printers
Resin prints require curing, which helps achieve even more precision and higher quality. You should choose resin 3D printing over FDM printing in the following situations:
- Highly-detailed parts and prototypes
- 3D models requiring smooth surfaces and tight tolerances
- Functional parts, molds, and patterns.
Applications of Resin 3D Printers
The use of 3D resin printers cut across various industries, including:
- Engineering
- Product design
- Manufacturing
- Jewelry
- Education
- Model making
- Dentistry
Related Questions
What Is A Good Print Speed For 3D Printers?
A printing speed of 20 to 36mm/hr is good enough for the average DLP and SLA resin printers but it’s possible to achieve a maximum speed of 720 mm/hr. For FDM printers, 50 to 150mm/hr is a good print speed if you don’t care too much about details. Some high-quality FDM printers can, however, achieve print speeds up to 500 mm/hr. If you are using an SLS printer, a printing speed of 48mm/hr is good enough, but high-end models can print as fast as 60mm/hr.
| 3D Printing Technology | Print material | Average Print Speed | Maximum Print Speed |
| SLA & DLP Printers | Resin | 20-36 mm per hour | 720 mm per hour |
| FDM Printers | Filaments | 50-150 mm per hour | 500 mm per hour |
| SLS Printers | Powder | 48 mm per hour | 60mm per hour |
Ultimately, the ideal print speed differs from one printing technology to another. And the quality of the printer matters too. So when shopping for a 3D printer, make sure to choose a printing technology and printer quality that is fast enough for your application and use case.
Is Resin Printing More Expensive?
Resin printing is more expensive than FDM because SLA printing requires more consumables. Among other things, the SLA technology primarily uses resin, which costs more than the filaments used by FDM 3D printers.
However, the cost of printing largely depends on what quality of material you choose. Costs are also affected by brand. You can still find entry-level SLA resins, as well as other materials, that don’t cost much. But still, the average cost of 3D printing with SLA machines is fairly higher than for FDM printing.
Can I Leave Resin In Printer?
You can leave excess resin in your printer after you complete a printing job if you can keep it safe from UV light exposure especially from sunlight. Resin can stay intact in your printer’s vat for a few days or even weeks depending on the conditions. For a longer lifespan, your printer should be in a cool, dark area. Otherwise, you should cover the resin with a standard orange cover.
Conclusion
As we have discussed, resin printers are fast enough and can deliver better quality. And in the end, there are many factors to consider when it comes to printing speed. Ultimately, to maximize printing speed, you should consider the size, details, and resolution of your 3D resin model, as well as the type of printer you’re using.
