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[GavBot703]

I just finished 3-D printing my helmet. When I took it off the build plate, I noticed that the top was a bit off, but nothing I couldn't Bondo. But now I see the walls of the helmet are very flimsy, because it has 5% infill. I used the exact setup as Frankly Built, and he used 5% gyroid infill. How can I reinforce the walls? Is it possible to rescue this helmet? Any help is appreciated.

[Second Son]

You can try fiberglass on the inside, but if the shell is flimsy to begin with then you risk having the whole thing getting crunched anyway.

[GavBot703]

I've decided to re-print the helmet. Thanks for the help though! 

[Second Son]

Probably for the best. If the outside is crunchy to start with it probably won't survive finishing, much less being worn out in the world.

I've heard that additional sidewalls are helpful in increasing the strength of a helmet, and I would bet that a higher than 5% infill would probably be better if you want it to be more than a display piece.

[GavBot703]

Absolutely. I'll increase sidewalls and up the infill to something like 25% or more, just in case. I actually am grateful that this happened so I could fix some issues in the 3-D model.

[trashcanmando]

I've done 4-6 walls and 10-15% infill. Those are the setting recommended by my ruus'alor, who has printed an obscene amount of helmets!  Good luck!

[GavBot703]

I've done 4-6 walls and 10-15% infill. Those are the setting recommended by my ruus'alor, who has printed an obscene amount of helmets!  Good luck!

What infill pattern? Gyroid, lightning, cubic, or another? I've read lightning is good for helmets, and I simulated it at 90% (I know that's huge), but it doesn't infill the areas that were breaking/crushing.

[trashcanmando]

He didn't specify... I've just done triangles but I haven't researched that choice at all. 

[GavBot703]

He didn't specify... I've just done triangles but I haven't researched that choice at all. 

One other thing--do you know the speeds? I simulated it just now with 15% infill, triangle, 5 walls, and 80 mm/s speed. It will take 4 days, 15 hours, and more than a spool of filament. If that is how long it is suppose to take, then that's fine, but I don't know if I'm missing something and it's too long of a print.

[GavBot703]

Doesn't matter anymore... I just started the print. I got it to use a little less than a spool and 3 1/2 days. Fingers crossed!   

[trashcanmando]

I just use default speed, helmets do take quite a while. I'm waiting for the filament, but I have an Armorer helmet I sliced recently that is supposed to take about five days, I think. Fingers crossed for your print!

[GavBot703]

You as well, my can-covered friend!