Print Speed and Layer Time Test Pieces

I was printing some 2mm and 3mm pins for a project and really struggling to get smooth, even columns so I drafted these to make dialling in minimum print speed and layer time settings in Cura easier.

There are three groups - pegs, cones and domes - pick the shapes and number which most closely match the model elements causing you trouble, slice them as you have the model and adjust the “Minimum Print Speed” and “Minimum Layer Time” until you get the print quality you’re looking for. 5mm/s and 15s are good starting points for Ender 3 style machines on parts less than 5mm diameter, 10mm/s and 15s above that. Depending on cooling, ambient temperature, filament, phase of the moon, etc., you may need to go slower/longer or be able to go faster/shorter.

Note 1: These settings are minimums and will only effect layers that would otherwise take less than the specified time, all other layers will be unaffected.

Note 2: The Minimum Layer Time setting is dynamic, if moving at the minimum speed a layer will take less than said specified time it won’t slow down any further and it won‘t pause unless…

Note 3: There is a setting to have the print head park until the minimum layer time has been reached, turn this off otherwise there will be lots of oozing.