High-speed ABS printing can reduce print time while retaining the strength and heat resistance needed for functional parts. However, printing ABS at higher speeds requires more attention to filament condition, melt temperature, bed adhesion, and material flow.
This guide covers the key high-speed ABS printing settings for iSANMATE ABS HF, including filament drying, nozzle and bed temperature, print speed, cooling, and practical tips for more consistent results.
High-Speed ABS Printing Settings at a Glance
The following settings provide a practical starting point for high-speed ABS printing:
| Setting | Recommended Range |
| Nozzle temperature | 260–280°C |
| Bed temperature | 80–100°C |
| Print speed | 200–300 mm/s |
| Cooling fan | 0–30% |
| Filament drying | 60–70°C for 5–8 hours |
Actual results may vary depending on the printer, hotend, nozzle size, layer height, model geometry, and printing environment.
How to Print ABS Filament at High Speed
1. Dry the ABS Filament Before High-Speed Printing
ABS can absorb moisture during storage, and moisture becomes more noticeable when the material is pushed through the hotend at higher flow rates. Wet filament may cause stringing, bubbles, popping sounds, and inconsistent extrusion.
For high-speed ABS printing, dry the filament at 60–70°C for 5–8 hours before printing.
After drying, store unused filament in a sealed container with desiccant or a suitable dry-storage system such as an AMS.
If stringing suddenly becomes worse or you hear popping from the nozzle, check the filament condition before changing other print settings.
2. Prepare the Build Plate
Good first-layer adhesion is essential when printing ABS, particularly at higher speeds.
ABS can shrink as it cools, which may cause corners to lift or larger parts to warp. A stable first layer helps the print stay attached throughout the job.
Before printing:
- Clean the build plate thoroughly
- Use a high-temperature build plate
- Set the bed temperature to 80–100°C
- Apply a thin layer of solid glue if additional adhesion is needed
For larger high-speed prints, pay particular attention to the first few layers and avoid strong drafts around the printer.
3. Set the Nozzle Temperature for High-Speed Printing
A nozzle temperature of 260–280°C is a good starting range for high-speed ABS printing.
Higher print speeds require the hotend to melt and deliver more material in less time. If the temperature is too low for the selected speed and flow rate, extrusion can become inconsistent or lead to under-extrusion.
Start within the recommended range and adjust according to your printer and print results.
A 0.4 mm nozzle is recommended for general printing. Larger 0.6 mm and 0.8 mm nozzles can be used when higher material flow is needed.
4. Choose the Right High-Speed Printing Speed
For iSANMATE ABS HF, 200–300 mm/s is the recommended range for everyday high-speed printing.
The material has also been tested at speeds of up to 500 mm/s under suitable conditions. This is a test result rather than a universal setting for every printer.
Actual printable speed depends on the hotend’s melt capacity, nozzle size, layer height, model geometry, and volumetric flow. Increasing speed beyond what the hotend can handle may result in under-extrusion rather than a faster successful print.
If you are moving from standard ABS printing to high-speed printing, start around 200 mm/s and increase gradually after confirming stable extrusion and layer bonding.
Want to learn more about high-flow performance, volumetric flow, and high-speed testing? Read our ABS HF Filament Guide.
5. Keep Cooling Moderate
Start with a cooling fan setting of 0–30%. ABS generally benefits from controlled cooling. Excessive airflow can increase temperature differences across the part and contribute to warping, while some cooling can help with overhangs and smaller features.
When printing at high speed, avoid using maximum cooling by default. Increase the fan only when the model requires additional cooling.
6. Fine-Tune Retraction Only When Needed
A starting point of 0–0.4 mm retraction at 0–20 mm/s is recommended.
Retraction depends heavily on the extruder and printer design, so it should not be the first setting you change when troubleshooting high-speed ABS printing.
If you see stringing, first check that the filament is dry and the nozzle temperature is appropriate. Then adjust retraction in small increments.
Do You Need an Enclosed Printer for High-Speed ABS?
Printer environment becomes more important as print size and speed increase.
iSANMATE ABS HF supports printing on open-frame printers under suitable conditions, so an actively heated chamber is not required for this material.
However, stable ambient conditions can still help reduce warping and improve consistency. For large or geometrically demanding parts, an enclosed printer can provide a more stable printing environment.
Good ventilation is also recommended when printing ABS. Avoid placing the printer in a poorly ventilated living space.
Common High-Speed ABS Printing Problems
Warping or Corners Lifting
Check the build plate first. Make sure it is clean, the bed temperature is within the recommended range, and the first layer has good adhesion.
For larger high-speed prints, reducing drafts and maintaining a more stable printing environment can also help.
Stringing
Start by checking the filament condition. Moisture is a common cause of stringing, so dry the filament before making major changes to retraction.
Under-Extrusion at High Speed
If extrusion becomes inconsistent as print speed increases, the hotend may not be able to maintain the required melt flow.
Try reducing the print speed or increasing the nozzle temperature within the recommended range. If you are using a small nozzle at very high flow rates, a larger nozzle may also help.
Final Tips for High-Speed ABS Printing
High-speed ABS printing is not simply about increasing print speed. Stable results depend on dry filament, sufficient melt flow, reliable first-layer adhesion, and a controlled printing environment.
Start with a stable setup and increase speed gradually based on your printer and hotend capabilities. If you encounter warping, stringing, or under-extrusion, adjust the relevant factor rather than changing multiple settings at once.
