Workhorse- Large DIY Industrial 3D Printer Platform
Build Volume – 650 x 350 x 350 mm
DIY 3D Printer Build – Large 3D Printer Kit
Motion System – XYZ Lead Screw / Ball Screw
Machine Kinematics – Fixed Bed / Moving Gantry
Enclosure – Polycarbonate Enclosed
Extruder – Bowden / Direct Drive Extruder
Materials – Filament – FDM / FFF
Controller – Duet3D
Operating System – RepRap Firmware
Design – Open Source
Software– Simplify3D / SuperSlicer
Skill Level – Advanced
Lead Screw vs Belts
The WorkHorse is a large customizable 3d printer platform for designers, builders, and makers. The XYZ Lead Screw motion system is an open-source design that can be adapted to specific materials and applications. In most cases, belt driven 3d printers are better suited compared to lead screw. But this isn’t most cases and the lead screw we selected to drive the WorkHorse isn’t your standard lead screw. We’ve tried a range of different styles of lead screw and had mixed results. We settled with a Igus high helix thread pitch with a 50mm lead.
If you’re looking for an advanced project like building a large 3d printer, the WorkHorse is an open-source design that you can customize for a specific application or project.
Lead Screw / Ball Screw Motion System
WorkHorse Build Resources
The fixed bed / moving gantry is intended to make the 3d printer more scalable as the bed and z-axis mechanism becomes heavier.
- Fixed Bed / Moving Gantry
- X and Y-Axis Lead Screw
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.
- OPEN SOURCE
- LARGE BUILD VOLUME
- ADVANCED LEAD SCREW MOTION
- MODULAR MACHINE DESIGN
- CUSTOM MODS
- CUSTOM BUILDS
- ENCLOSURE
- HEATED BED
Carriage
WorkHorse Printer Design Updates
Frame
We’re experimenting with changing the frame size and switching to a 3030 extrusion profile. We also made the side panels two inches wider to have more room in the electronics / Filament compartment.
Z-Axis Updates
We finally made a better z-axis lead screw mount.
The old version of the lead screw nut mounts were 3d printed. They would crack over time so the version is now made from aluminum.
The Workhorse X-Carriage design is a heavy duty solution for lead screw driven motion that uses MGN12H linear rails and 20×40 or 20×20 aluminum extrusions.
Y-Axis Motor Mount
The Workhorse 3d printer is available with custom mods and upgrades. We’ve several custom designed machines for many of our customers. If there is a specific size or requirement you just give us a shout.
Download Files
BOM
| Lead Screw | Description | Part Number |
| X-Axis 2pcs. x 762mm Long | Igus High Helix 10mm w/50mm Lead | DST-LS-10×50-R |
| Y-Axis 1pc. x 485mm Long | Igus High Helix 10mm w/50mm Lead | DST-LS-10×50-R |
| XY-Axis 3pcs x Lead Screw Nuts | Igus Lead Screw Nuts | DST-JFRM009 |
| Z-Axis 2pcs x T12x2 Trapezoidal ACME Lead Screw w/ Brass Nut | 500mm Long | WK-Z-T12500 |
| Linear Rails | Discription | Discription |
| 1pc. x 450mm Long | MGN12H 20mm x 20mm Hole Pattern | WK-Y-LRMGN12H400 |
| 2pcs. x 700mm Long | MGN12H 20mm x 20mm Hole Pattern | WK-Y-LRMGN12H400 |
| 4pcs. x 500mm Long w/ Two Carriage Blocks | MGN12H 20mm x 20mm Hole Pattern | WK-Y-LRMGN12H400 |
Buy WorkHorse 3D Printer Parts
| Machined Hardware | Price $ | Source |
| Gantry Plates | 3DDistributed | |
| X- Axis C- Carriages 2pcs | 3DDistributed | |
| Y-Axis C- Carriage 1pc | 3DDistributed | |
| Y-Axis Motor Mount 1pc | 3DDistributed | |
| Y-Axis Idler Mount 1pc | 3DDistributed | |
| Hotend Mount | 3DDistributed | |
| Z-Axis Motor Mounts 2pcs | 3DDistributed | |
| Aluminum Build Plate | $135.00 | 3DDistributed |
Electronics
-
WorkHorse Stepper Motor Pack$74.95
Buy Stepper Motors
See Stepper Motors
Z-Axis Motor Mounts
WorkHorse Printer V2
Duet3D Firmware Files
We now recommend the Duet 3 Mainboard 6HC electronics by Duet3D.
Build Instructions
Sourcing Parts For Your Workhorse 3D Printer
Sourcing Lead Screw
Sourcing Frame Components
Frame Assembly
The frame is made out of 2020 (20mm x 20mm) aluminum extrusions.
- 20mm x 20mm
- 4pcs 930mm Long
- 6pcs 510mm Long
- 10pcs 570mm Long
- 3pcs 808mm Long
.
20mm x 40mm HFS5 Aluminum Extrusions (Misumi Brand)
4pcs 510mm Long
Frame: BOM
| Frame Extrusions | Length | Units | Discription | Misumi Part # |
| 2020 (20mm x 20mm) | 930mm Long | 4pcs | Horizontals | HFS5-2020-930 |
| 2020 (20mm x 20mm) | 510mm Long | 6pcs | Verticals | HFS5-2020-510 |
| 2020 (20mm x 20mm) | 570mm Long | 10pcs | Frame Width | HFS5-2020-570 |
| 2020 (20mm x 20mm) | 808mm Long | 3pcs | Bed Support | HFS5-2020-808 |
| Gantry Extrusions | Length | Units | Description | Part# |
| 2040 (20mm x 40mm) | 770.5mm Long | 2pcs | Gantry Horizontals | HFS5-2040-770 |
| 2040 (20mm x 40mm) | 456mm Long | |||
| 2040 (20mm x 40mm) | 510mm Long | 4pcs. | Z axis Linear Rail Verticals | HFS5-2040-510 |
| Frame Components | Type | Units | Description | Part# |
| Frame Brackets | 20mm Wide | 90pcs | Reversal Tabbed Brackets | HBLFSNF5 |
| T-Nuts (Misumi) | M4 | 75pcs | M4 | HNKK5-4 |
| T-Nuts (Misumi) | M5 | 180pcs | M5 | HNKK5-5 |
| T-Nuts (Misumi) | M3 | 75pcs | M3 | HNKK5-3 |
| Frame Price | Price $ | |||
| Profile Extrusions | $ 122.29 | extrusions and brackets w/tax and shipping | ||
| M5 x 10 Cap Screws (200pcs) | $ 9.99 | 225$ | ||
| brackets | $ 40.32 | |||
| T-nuts | $ 19.32 | |||
| Total | $ 191.92 |
Frame Assembly
Gantry
Assembling The Gantry Plates
Part List:
- 1pc. x Gantry Motor Plate
- 1pc. x Gantry Idler Plate
- 16pcs. x M5 x 14mm Long Screws
Gantry Plates Before Gantry Frame And Motor
X-Carriage
X and Y-Carriages use 4 M3x6mm Screws
- X-Carriage (X-Axis) 2pcs
- Y-Carriage (Y-Axis) 1pc
- M3x6mm Screws 12pcs (4 for each Carriage)
The x-axis carriage screws down to the 2040 Y-axis extrusion and rail. *Note* The y-axis 2040 extrusion must have hand tapped M5 threaded holes.
Linear Rails
The Workhorse Printer uses MGN12H linear rails with a 20mm x 20mm Hole Pattern.
BOM:
- 500mm Long Z Axis (4pc)
- 700mm Long X Axis (2pc)
- 450mm Long w Y axis (1pc)
Linear Rail Screw:
- M3x9mm Long Screws 26 per X-Axis
- M3x9mm Long Screws 14 for Y-Axis
- M3x9mm Long Screws 18 per Z–Axis
Total M3x9mm screws 138pcs.
Motor Mount to Carriage
- M3x8mm Long Screws 4pcs
Igus dryspin lead screw nuts do not require lubrication. This is normal for Igus materials. If you have any sounds, vibrations or wear, then the problem is most likely in the alignment and assembly of the mechanical components.
X-Carriage Lead Screw Nut Insert 2pcs
- Each Insert uses:
- M3x35mm screws 4pcs
- M5x55mm Long
