A printer's top speed is only one of three numbers that decide how fast a print finishes. Movement speed is how fast the toolhead travels, acceleration is how quickly it reaches that speed, and flow rate is how much plastic the hotend can melt per second. Quadro's specification lists 600 mm/s movement speed, 10,000 mm/s² acceleration and 24 mm³/s maximum flow at up to 300°C.
Speed numbers are easy to compare and easy to misread. Here is what each one actually tells you.
Movement Speed
Movement speed, in millimeters per second, is how fast the toolhead can travel. A high number helps most on long, simple moves and when the toolhead isn't extruding. It doesn't mean every layer prints at that speed, because print quality limits how fast plastic can be laid down.
Acceleration
Acceleration, in mm/s², is how quickly the toolhead speeds up and slows down. Most printing is corners, small moves and direction changes, so a printer rarely stays at top speed. Higher acceleration shortens those moves, and it only helps if the machine is rigid enough to handle it. See Bed-Slinger Simplicity. No Bed-Slinger Flex.
Flow Rate
Flow rate, in mm³/s, is the volume of plastic the hotend can melt and push through the nozzle per second. It is often the real limit: a toolhead can move fast, but it can't print faster than the hotend supplies plastic. Quadro's specification lists up to 24 mm³/s at a maximum hotend temperature of 300°C.
What Speed Doesn't Tell You
- Print time includes everything that isn't printing. Heating, leveling and, on multicolor printers, color changes.
- Material matters. Flexible and soluble materials print slower than PLA.
- Quality sets the limit. Pushing speed up costs surface finish at some point.
Where Multicolor Changes the Math
On a single-nozzle multicolor printer, every color change adds unloading, loading and purging time. On Quadro, a change is a movement of about a second, so printing time is close to printing time. See How Quadro Makes Tool Changes Faster and Purge Towers Explained.
Pressure and Vibration
Fast moves need the printer to manage extrusion pressure and vibration. Quadro's calibration includes dynamic flow calibration and vibration compensation. See How Quadro Calibrates Four Independent Toolheads.
What to Ask When Comparing Speeds
- Is the number movement speed or print speed?
- What acceleration is specified?
- What is the maximum flow rate, and at what temperature?
- How long do color changes take?
More questions are in our multi toolhead 3D printer buying guide.
Key Takeaways
- Movement speed, acceleration and flow rate each limit print time.
- Quadro lists 600 mm/s movement speed, 10,000 mm/s² acceleration and up to 24 mm³/s flow.
- Multicolor print time also depends on how long color changes take.
Want the full specification? See Quadro or visit the Kickstarter page.
3. FAQ
What is the difference between speed and acceleration? Speed is how fast the toolhead travels. Acceleration is how quickly it reaches that speed. Short moves and corners depend mostly on acceleration.
What is flow rate in 3D printing? It's the volume of plastic the hotend can melt and push through the nozzle per second, in mm³/s. It often limits real print speed.
What are Quadro's speed specifications? 600 mm/s movement speed, 10,000 mm/s² maximum acceleration and up to 24 mm³/s hotend flow at a maximum hotend temperature of 300°C.
Does a higher top speed always mean a faster print? No. Acceleration, flow rate, material and non-printing time, such as heating and color changes, all affect total print time.
How does multicolor printing affect print time? Each color change on a shared-nozzle printer adds unloading, loading and purging time. On Quadro a change is a toolhead movement of about a second.
