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There have been others before me in making a Daft Punk helmet complete with electronics, however, I discovered that there few, if any, that provide a complete step by step instructional with the actual code to make the display work. Most do not go in depth on how the electronics was designed and built. Others have very thin vacuum formed helemts and / or inaccurate helmet designs. Lastly, there are many where there is far too much time spent on material choices (foam, etc.) that yields poor results.

After much searching, I thought it was time to make one, and provide an instructable will all the “parts” needed to get it done without endless searches - and have the quality proporationate to the effort invested! I wanted a good blend of quality without studio prices to get there.

Before we get started, you might be wondering…Who is, what is Daft Punk anyway ???

The musical team of Daft Punk are arguably pioneers in cross over of electronic based music and techno-cosplay! These guys were performing awesome concerts while wearing helmets with electronic displays for decades… long before anyone ever dreamed of an Arduino driving a helmet 20+ some years later! They did the musical score to Tron Legacy. Tune in a radio station and you just might hear their “Get Lucky” dance tune. Well, their popularity has created a number of people creating their very own helmets and they are available out on the internet for well over $400. Even those models are thin vacuum formed helmets that the price hardly seems worth it.

This helmet was made for $115 AND it has all the displays you can think of creating too! With a little patience and tenacity you can build a very high quality helmet for your very own.

Here’s how I made it!

Supplies:
1 - 3D Print file from Thingverse or CGTrader. You pick the one you want as there are many free ones out there but beware of their accuracy to the real deal! I found a very accurate model as designed but it was 18% too small for even a kid to wear. Check the inside dimension on your CAD or Slicer software or… Test print a small one (say like a football minihelmet), check the dimension ratios, details and fit issues, then size up from there to not waste plastic and your valuable time. The cross dimension should be 175 - 200 mm wide (Ear to ear) for a 7 -3/8” head to fit in it comfortably. I used this file and thanks to the creator for a solid file but again… check the SCALE before printing it.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3225502/makes

2 - One (1) kg Spools ABS filament plastic for toughness and thermal stability - SUNLU Brand. I ran this at 240C Nozzle and 105C bed temperature and it ran flawlessly. - $32
1 - sheet of 1/8” thick acrylic sheetClear and 1 sheet of smoke tinted. Amazon or local supply - $15
Smoke tinted is here…. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071KGRGPP/ref=p…
Auto Body filler(Bondo) and /or Spot putty $10 - Any Walmart is the cheapest.
Rustoleum Spray Paint - Gray Auto Primer & Gloss White - $5 each Again… Walmart.
1 - Strand of WS2812B - 144 addressable LEDs. Get these ! Others can be really cheaply made and you wont want to have the string break continuity and stop working. Not all strands are created equal. - $17 Amazon
1 Strand of TV backlight string … Music Driven w/ remote 144 LEDs - Monster Brand $10 - Walmart
Arduino nano - $5 Buy in mass quantity for future projects and you get a great price on a small but powerful controller.
Computer connectors / Multi-Pin connectors - Your choice here really, you might have some laying around or choose to direct wire to the helmet. I used these…
For helmet connector
For Controller connector
Helmet Pads (Bicycle type) - Or use any foam you might have from previous projects like I did.
USB Battery Pack - Long lasting 10,000 mAh - $10 (I got 2 for $20) so I guess I’ll make the Guy Manuel helmet next! LOL!”

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