Developer Produced 3D Benchy in Under 60 Seconds
Yan Roetz utilized a custom-built, cable-driven motion system to achieve the sub-minute print speed.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Robotics
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Yan Roetz has completed his Minute Man video series by printing a 3D Benchy in less than 60 seconds. The feat was accomplished using a massive custom printer powered by a 1,300 kg base structure.
Why it matters
The project demonstrates extreme mechanical limits in additive manufacturing by prioritizing high-speed movement over traditional print quality. It highlights the potential for specialized kinematics to push the boundaries of layer-based production.
The system relies on a cable-driven motion platform with a moving mass reduced to 60 g, achieving accelerations of 200 g during the final run. It requires a sustained supply of 400 liters of pressurized air per minute for cooling.
The players
Yan Roetz
He is a developer and mechanical engineer known for pushing the limits of additive manufacturing hardware.
The details
To reach these speeds, the printer utilized a 0.5 mm nozzle and 0.25 mm layer height while processing G-code through OrcaSlicer. While the print completed in under a minute, the resulting model displayed noticeable stringing and cooling defects.
Timeline
September 2026: Yan Roetz documented the sub-60-second print.
2025: 5minlab released 3D Printer Simulator software.
2026: 3D Printing Industry holds AMA series.
The Tech Race
This project redefines the speed ceiling for desktop additive manufacturing, evolving away from standard screw-driven gantries. It signals a shift toward specialized cable-driven systems that could eventually influence high-throughput industrial prototyping.
For hobbyists, this research suggests that future consumer printers may integrate more advanced cooling and motion techniques. However, achieving these speeds currently requires industrial infrastructure like high-volume pressurized air systems.
The takeaway
Pushing 3D printers to sub-minute speeds reveals that extreme motion control currently necessitates trade-offs in structural precision. Hobbyists looking to improve their own machines should prioritize cooling efficiency and mass reduction in their own motion assemblies.
Further reading
Explore the latest innovations in Robotics to see how custom hardware is transforming manufacturing speed.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 3D Printing Industry.
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Do you prioritize print speed over structural quality when using 3D printing technology?
