Could use some advice on how to sucssesfully print the R.E. T-Virus helix Hi, I'm trying to print a the T-Virus helix like structure from Resident Evil (I found various models on Thingiverse) with my Prusa i3 MK3 with as little supports as possible to get a clean print. My preferred plastics it PETG, got some nice transparent green and blue, and the print starts out beautifully but fails at the last centimeters because the bed and print wobbles. I have reduced speed in printing and travel, 0 infill and the nozzle is the standard 0.4. Ideally I would only add supports to the last parts, but don't know which software allows you to do something like this. I've used the Prusa Slic3r and Ultimaker Cura. Both software only have the option to start from bed or overall supports, not selective. I'm attaching a photo of just 1 attempt, but believe me: I've been at it a while::o Any printers on here that succeeded previously in this type of endeavor? Addition: I've also tried to print this with full supports, but the structure is overwhelmed with so much plastic it really drags the quality of the print down after supports removal. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?262,833576,833576#msg-833576 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 13:35:50 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?262,833576,833833#msg-833833 Re: Could use some advice on how to sucssesfully print the R.E. T-Virus helix https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?262,833576,833833#msg-833833 77slevin Printing Sun, 16 Sep 2018 16:19:36 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?262,833576,833775#msg-833775 Re: Could use some advice on how to sucssesfully print the R.E. T-Virus helix https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?262,833576,833775#msg-833775 It took us 1h35min to print the whole part.
We have used Cura not Slic3r. If you download the Cura profile we posted in the forum, you can adapt it for PLA.
You can leave a bigger gap between the model and your supports but you need to print in higher resolution than 0.3mm for instance.

I will look into Slic3r, maybe some day next week,

Cheers,]]> GR Printing Sun, 16 Sep 2018 07:42:22 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?262,833576,833751#msg-833751 Re: Could use some advice on how to sucssesfully print the R.E. T-Virus helix https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?262,833576,833751#msg-833751
My solution so far has been to split the part in 2, print top and bottom as separate parts, and slow down the entire print with the M220 S25 command. It's slow as molasses, but that way it gives me the quality I strife for in this print.]]> 77slevin Printing Sat, 15 Sep 2018 17:30:58 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?262,833576,833746#msg-833746 Re: Could use some advice on how to sucssesfully print the R.E. T-Virus helix https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?262,833576,833746#msg-833746 Not sure if you were able to print your helix.
We gave it a try and printed it in ABS,





As you can see, we decided to print the part horizontally, requiring few supports only. The helix was sliced in Cura, I will create a post with Cura settings for ABS, you will be able to tweak the values.
The resolution can be increased, we have used 0.3 mm layer height, but you can print it at 0.1mm for a nicer finish.
]]> GR Printing Sat, 15 Sep 2018 14:33:22 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?262,833576,833581#msg-833581 Re: Could use some advice on how to sucssesfully print the R.E. T-Virus helix https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?262,833576,833581#msg-833581 Problem with me being a newbie at this: I don't exactly know yet how to remedy encountered problems. I will also try with reducing the extrusion ratio. Thanks.]]> 77slevin Printing Thu, 13 Sep 2018 06:42:18 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?262,833576,833580#msg-833580 Re: Could use some advice on how to sucssesfully print the R.E. T-Virus helix https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?262,833576,833580#msg-833580 You could also try to reduce extrusion ratio, because it looks like the nozzle scratches across the previous print.]]> o_lampe Printing Thu, 13 Sep 2018 06:27:35 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?262,833576,833576#msg-833576 Could use some advice on how to sucssesfully print the R.E. T-Virus helix https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?262,833576,833576#msg-833576
I'm trying to print a the T-Virus helix like structure from Resident Evil (I found various models on Thingiverse) with my Prusa i3 MK3 with as little supports as possible to get a clean print. My preferred plastics it PETG, got some nice transparent green and blue, and the print starts out beautifully but fails at the last centimeters because the bed and print wobbles. I have reduced speed in printing and travel, 0 infill and the nozzle is the standard 0.4.

Ideally I would only add supports to the last parts, but don't know which software allows you to do something like this. I've used the Prusa Slic3r and Ultimaker Cura. Both software only have the option to start from bed or overall supports, not selective. I'm attaching a photo of just 1 attempt, but believe me: I've been at it a while::o
Any printers on here that succeeded previously in this type of endeavor?

Addition: I've also tried to print this with full supports, but the structure is overwhelmed with so much plastic it really drags the quality of the print down after supports removal.]]> 77slevin Printing Thu, 13 Sep 2018 04:51:51 -0400