Workhorse 3D Printer

WorkHorse-Large DIY 3D Printer Build

The Workhorse Printer is a large format 3d printer some friends and I have been working on for the past three years. The large printer is a modular machine platform that uses lead screw driven motion with a fixed bed / moving gantry.

3D Printer Specs
Build Volume – 650 x 350 x 350 mm
DIY 3D Printer Build – Customizable / Modular Platform
Motion System – XYZ Lead Screw Mechanism
Materials – FDM-Multiple Material Extrusion
Extrusion System – Bowden / Direct Drive
Materials – FDM-Multiple Material Extrusion
Electronics – Duet3D
Operating System – RepRap Firmware
Software– Simplify3D
Skill Level – Advanced
Machine Kinematics – Fixed Bed / Moving Gantry


Lead Screw vs Belts
While most 3d printers use belt driven motion in the x and y axis to increase print speed but loses quality when more weight is applied to the gantry or carriage. The lead screw used on the Workhorse has a high helix pitch with multiple threads to allow increased print speeds while maintaining the quality provided from lead screw and ball screw motion. The system is particularly useful in applications that add more weight to the gantry or carriage. Materials such as clay, chocolate, plastic pellet extrusion or other foods can increase weight that is moved around which results decreased quality or print speeds. Workhorse Printer’s are available to purchase in Machined Component Kit, Hardware Kit or Complete Kit.