How to 3D Print: Pumpkin-Spider Transformer

MicroCenterMaker

What are you printing? Post your favorite recent print in the comments. If we choose yours, you will win 5 free spools of Inland Filament!

 This month, we printed a Pumpkin-Spider Transformer. We found the print file for the Spider on Thingiverse.com, submitted by Megawillbot.

You can find the files here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3129886

Our Setup:

Printer: Ender 3 V2

Filament Used: Inland White PLA, 1.75MM

• Nozzle Temp: 215°
• Bed Temp: 55°

https://www.microcenter.com/product/485641/inland-175mm-white-pla-3d-printer-filament-1kg-spool-(22-lbs)

Infill: 15

Print Time: 21 hours

Rafts: Yes

Support: Yes

Software: Ultimaker Cura

The Print:

The entire print consists of 25 pieces. You can download and print the files individually, or there is one file with all the pieces.

I didn’t have an orange filament, so I used Inland White PLA and then painted it orange.

I chose to print all 25 pieces at once; 10 small ball joints hold the spider together, 10 pumpkin pieces, the body/chest, and face. I printed this with a raft and supports. After 21 hours, I walked in to see perfectly printed legs, ball joints, a pumpkin top, and a spider face with a 3D filament bird's nest sitting on top of everything. The pumpkin slices failed; some even came detached from the raft.

I tried and failed five more times to print the pumpkin slices. I printed with supports only touching the build plate, supports everywhere, no supports, single pieces, 5 pieces. The first ¾ would print perfectly, and the top would fail every time. These are important because this is what holds the legs of the spider to the inside of the pumpkin.

I thought about why the print kept failing at the top. The way the pumpkin slice sat in the Cura Slicer, the part that connects to the spider leg, was at the top of the print, where it failed. 

So, I rotated the pumpkin slice by 180°, moving the joint to the bottom, knowing it would now print first.

I tested one at first, and it came out great! 

 

  So, I printed 5 more using supports that touch the build plate. Finally, after 3 days, my spider-pumpkin was ready for spray paint and construction.

Here is the final result:

Show us what you're printing and Win!

Print something especially cool this month? Show it to us and you could win 5 free spools of Inland Filament! Just photo a photo (or several!) of your build in the comments below and we'll select one to win!

Entries start today and run till 11:59 PM ET, October 12, 2022, and afterward, we'll be selecting one print to receive five Inland Filaments of their choice! See below for official rules.

3D Print of the Month Contest Terms and Conditions - October.pdf

Octane14

I'm currently working on a guitar project, printing out a body found on Thingiverse#5155017

Bob-omb is overseeing the workmanship.

Qazplm

Probably my favorite print ive done so far, a deluxe mandalorian helmet designed by hex3d. Good luck everyone!

smaddaus

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/44734#Comment_44734

Awesome print! This looks super cool

smaddaus

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/44732#Comment_44732

Can't wait to see this finished and thrashing!

TroublemakerJake

currently working my way through an Eberron Lightning Rail. Printed between my Cr-10s Ender 3 Pro and Ld002r all from microcenter 

Rye_Bread

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/44732#Comment_44732

Now I'm gonna do this, thanks for sharing :)

zeus64068

I used Inland Twinkling Rainbow for this blink foxx

mfabich86

Working on a paleoanthropology project. Had to print A africanus. 

UnworthySeraph

The visor clip in my girlfriend's car was broken, but rather than simply order a replacement part, I thought I'd take the opportunity to practice designing something of my own. I went through about 6 different iterations trying to get the fit and function right but finally landed on an effective replacement. I learned so much through this process and it was a lot of fun!

All my prototypes were in PLA, but after a few hot days the clip no longer held the visor properly. So the final version was printed in Inland SIlver PETG and it's been going strong for weeks now!

Julia_V

All of these prints here are incredibly awesome! Everything from creative prints to practical prints. Love it.

Qazplm

Any update on who the winner is?