Experiencing slow print speeds on your Bambu Lab printer can be frustrating, but often the solution is simpler than you might think. This guide will walk you through the common causes of slower-than-expected printing and how to quickly adjust your settings for optimal speed. You might be surprised at how easily you can get your prints back up to speed.
Checking Your Speed Settings in Bambu Studio
One of the most frequent reasons for a Bambu Lab printer running slower than anticipated is the speed setting within Bambu Studio. If you’ve inadvertently changed this setting, it will override the default speed profiles and slow down your prints. Here’s how to check and correct it:
Steps in Bambu Studio:
- Navigate to the Device tab in Bambu Studio. This is usually the third tab from the left in the top menu.
- Locate the speedometer icon on the right side of the screen. This icon represents your printer’s speed settings.
- Click on the speedometer icon. A dropdown menu or a popup should appear displaying your current speed setting.
- Ensure the speed is set to Standard and 100%. If it’s set to a lower percentage or a different speed mode like “Silent,” change it back to “Standard” and “100%”. This will restore the printer to its default speed profile.
Verifying Speed Settings on Your Printer Screen
You can also directly check and adjust the speed settings on your Bambu Lab printer’s screen. This is useful to confirm your Bambu Studio settings or to make quick adjustments before or during a print.
Steps on the Printer Screen:
- On your printer’s touchscreen interface, find and tap the Control tab. The location may slightly vary depending on your Bambu Lab printer model, but it’s usually clearly labeled.
- Look for the speedometer icon within the Control tab. This icon is consistent with the one in Bambu Studio.
- Tap the speedometer icon on the screen.
- Verify that the displayed speed is 100%. Tap it again to see if it indicates Standard mode. If it shows a lower percentage or a different mode, tap to cycle through the options until you select Standard and 100%.
The Impact of Filament Choice on Print Speed
Beyond speed settings, the type of filament you use significantly affects print speed. Bambu Lab printers are optimized for their own PLA filaments, which generally offer the fastest printing capabilities.
- Bambu Lab PLA Filaments: Using Bambu Lab PLA Basic, PLA Tough, or other sub-types will generally yield the fastest print times.
- High-Speed Filaments from Other Brands: If you’re using filaments from other vendors, look for those labeled “High-Flow” (HF), “High-Speed” (HS), or “Super-Speed” (SS). These are formulated for faster printing than standard PLA.
- Standard PLA vs. Other Materials: Keep in mind that standard PLA is generally faster to print than materials like PETG or TPU. If you switch to a different material, expect print times to increase naturally.
The estimated print time displayed in Bambu Studio and on your printer is often based on Bambu Lab PLA Basic settings. If you use a different filament, especially a non-Bambu Lab brand or a different material type, the actual print time may vary and potentially be longer.
Understanding Print Time Estimates
Print time estimates are valuable, but they are still estimations. Factors like model complexity, number of colors, and filament choice can all influence the final print duration. Always select the correct printer model in Bambu Handy to get the most accurate estimate. While estimates are usually close, they are not guarantees, and variations are normal.
By checking your speed settings and being mindful of your filament choice, you can effectively optimize your Bambu Lab printer for faster printing and get back to creating amazing prints in less time.
