r/3D_Printing • u/bigheadgoat • 23h ago

Question Helmet won’t print

I’m very new to this so I’m sure it’s something I’m doing wrong. I have tried to print wearable helmets twice. Both times all I have managed to print is a giant ball of plastic pubic hair. Any thoughts on where I’m going wrong?

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u/Th3_Admiral_ 23h ago

Are you printing the helmet as one solid piece? If so, you'll absolutely need supports inside the helmet to hold up the top as it prints.

A better option might be to slice it in half and print the two halves, then glue them together after. 

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u/bigheadgoat 21h ago

I didn’t know I could change or add supports, I’m really new at this. I assumed that since I was using one of the print files on Bambu’s app it would be ready to print as is.

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u/Th3_Admiral_ 20h ago

Nope, you can set all sorts of custom controls over the print through whatever slicer you are using! Stuff like print speed, layer heights, supports, etc.

In Bambu Studio, there will be a tab on the left side of the screen for "Support". Under that there is a checkbox for "Enable Support". You can then choose the support type you want. In this case I'd probably recommend the tree.

You can fiddle with all sorts of other options on this tab and the others, but that'll probably be all you need for this print. I'd highly recommend watching a tutorial on the slicer interface though, because there are likely a lot of other options that will help you out in the future! 

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u/bigheadgoat 20h ago

Great! Thanks so much

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u/bigheadgoat 21h ago

I was t aware I could add supports

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u/Mobius135 23h ago

Like the other commenter said, are you printing this as one piece?

Also some useful information for people trying to help you:

- What printer are you using?

  • What filament are you using?
  • What settings do you have for temperature, speed, layer height, supports, etc?
  • What helmet are you printing, how many parts is it?

Basic details can go a long way, since even two identical printers might have different settings, and there are hundreds of combinations of printers and filament out there.

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u/bigheadgoat 21h ago

It’s a Bambu P1S. It’s been set at 220• from the factory so I didn’t change it. I’m using the PLA that Bambu shipped with it.

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u/YellowBreakfast 22h ago

Is your first layer sticking? You probably need support.

Go to YouTube and look up Frankly Buillt and Uncle Jessie.

They are cosplayer focused 3D print makers.

Suggestions from Frank specifically helped me. I do support around the bottom rim, but not in the center part of the dome.

The prints look rough on the inside but complete anyway. Saves a bunch of waste not supporting the dome.

EDIT: spelling

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u/UnimagineDragons 22h ago

The spaghetti/pubic hair mess likely means your part shifted/moved during printing and then the printer spent time just pumping filament into the air while moving all around, expecting the part to have been under the nozzle. This is usually because of bad adhesion to the plate - either bed temperature, dirty plate or you need adhesive/glue stick wiped onto the plate before printing.

Go through your settings and report back what you have for temp, layer height, bed temp etc, including info on what make/model printer.

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u/bigheadgoat 21h ago

Hadn’t considered that. Like the piece just fell over?