How to Use 3D Printer Minimum Layer Time Setting – Cura
Reading Time: 6 minutes Optimizing print settings is important if you want to achieve high-quality prints. The Minimum Layer Time is one setting that can affect print quality but often goes unnoticed. This setting controls the time the print head spends on each layer before moving to the next.
To use the 3D printer Minimum Layer Time Setting, you’ll need to adjust the Minimum Layer Time value in your respective slicing software, Cura or PrusaSlicer. Adjusting this value makes the print head move slower to allow the previous layer to cool down sufficiently.
Continue reading to learn more about using the 3D printer Minimum Layer Time setting to improve the quality of your prints.
How to Use 3D Printer Minimum Layer Time Setting
It is quite easy to use the Minimum Layer Time setting. You’ll first need to have the latest version of slicing software installed on your computer. After that, you need to enable the Minimum Layer Time setting.
The exact name may vary depending on the type and version of the slicer you’re using.
If you’re using Cura, you can find the Minimum Layer Time setting under the “Cooling” tab within the “Print Settings” panel. For PrusaSlicer users, go to the “Filament Settings” in Expert mode and adjust the “Slow down if layer print time is below” value.
I’ll provide a step-by-step guide on how to use this setting in the most commonly used slicing software, Cura and PrusaSlicer.
How to Use 3D Printer Minimum Layer Time Setting in Cura
Here is how you can adjust the Minimum Layer Time Setting using Cura:
- Go to the “Print Settings” section and search for “Cooling”
- Locate the “Minimum Layer Time” Setting under “Cooling
- Adjust the Minimum Layer Time value
1. Go to the “Print Settings” Section and Search for “Cooling”
First, you’ll need to open the Print Settings and scroll down to find the “Cooling” settings. The Print Settings are on the right side of your screen under the main menu bar.
Alternatively, you can search for the Cooling settings by typing “Cooling” beside a magnifying glass symbol in the search bar.
2. Locate the “Minimum Layer Time” Setting Under “Cooling”
Once you’ve located the “Cooling” setting, expand it to access the “Minimum Layer Time” and other settings. You can do this by simply clicking it.
3. Adjust the Minimum Layer Time Value
Next, you will need to adjust the Minimum Layer Time value. The default is the first value displayed in the “Minimum Layer Time” section. This value varies depending on the printer you configured in Cura.
For example, the Creality Ender 3 has a default value of 10 seconds, while the Anycubic Vyper and Elegoo Neptune X have 5 seconds.
Setting an optimum Minimum Layer Time value makes the printer spend the right amount of time on each layer before moving to the next.
This allows each layer of the printed material to cool down and solidify adequately, reducing warping, sagging, and distortion, thus improving quality.
On the other hand, setting a very high Minimum Layer Time will cause the print head to spend more time on each layer, which can result in blobbing and sagging.
One user who printed a bolt using an Ender 3 V2 and Cura slicer inquired about improving his print. Multiple users suggested he increase the “Minimum Layer Time”. This would give the filament enough time to cool down after printing each layer since the print was too small.
Another hack was that he could print two models simultaneously so each one cools while the other prints each layer. Additionally, they needed to increase cooling and lower filament temperature.
Another user who had upgraded his Ender 6 was advised to turn down the Minimum Layer Time to 0 to increase the speed of his prints. This worked for him since the min and max speed increased from 5.65 to 111.11 and 200 to 366.97, respectively.
Here is an interesting video that discusses how you can adjust settings in Cura to print objects with extremely small diameters, including increasing the Minimum Layer Time:
How to Use 3D Printer Minimum Layer Time Setting in PrusaSlicer
If you’re using PrusaSlicer, the equivalent of the “Minimum Layer Time” setting is the “Slow down if layer time is below.” Here is how you can use it:
- Switch to “Expert” mode
- Click the “Filament Settings” tab
- Click “Cooling” and locate the “Slow down if layer print time is below” setting
- Adjust the “Slow down if layer print time is below” value
1. Switch to “Expert” Mode
When using PrusaSlicer, the first thing you should do is to switch to “Expert” mode before tinkering with any other setting.
This is because the “Expert” mode displays more parameters you can edit on the settings menu. The “Expert” option is located on the top-right side of your screen, and you can enable it by simply clicking it.
2. Click the “Filament Settings” Tab
Once you’ve enabled the “Expert” mode, you’ll need to select “Filament Settings,” located on the menu bar on the top-left side of your screen.
3. Locate the “Slow Down if Layer Print Time is Below” Setting
Next, you’ll need to find the “Slow down if layer print time is below” setting. You can do this by clicking the “Cooling” option on the side panel under the Filament settings.
This setting will be located in the “Cooling threshold” section, directly above the “Min print speed” setting.
4. Adjust the “Slow Down if Layer Print Time is Below” Value
Finally, adjust the “Slow down if layer print time is below” value. If you’re using an Original Prusa MK4 and Generic PLA, the default is approximately 8 seconds. Generic PETG and ABS are 9 and 20 seconds, respectively.
One user was inquiring if it was possible to set a minimum time per layer when printing something tall and narrow to give each layer time to cool. Someone else commented that they need to go to the Filament Settings > Cooling > Cooling Thresholds > Slow down if layer print time is below.
This video explains how you can tweak various settings in PrusaSlicer for faster prints, including reducing the Minimum Layer Time.
