LulzBot TAZ Workhorse+ Reviews: See Why 0 Shoppers Rated It 0 Stars!

LulzBot TAZ Workhorse+ 3D Printer Review: A Sturdy Choice for Professional and Educational Use

When it comes to professional-grade 3D printers, the LulzBot TAZ Workhorse+ makes a strong statement. Released in 2021 and designed for intermediate to advanced users, this printer is built with a robust Cartesian frame and aims to serve professionals, educators, and engineers who demand reliability in prototyping and engineering projects. On paper, its combination of a sizable build volume and a one-year warranty reflects a balance between professional capability and dependable support, making it stand out in the FDM/FFF category.

Detailed Specs & Features

Diving into the build dimensions, the LulzBot TAZ Workhorse+ offers an 11.02-inch width and depth, with a build height just over 11.22 inches. This translates to a respectable build volume of 1362.6 cubic inches, ample for most prototyping needs. Its power supply voltage supports 100-240 Volt inputs, making it flexible for global use. The printer's internal power supply delivers up to 500 watts of consumption, which signals a sturdy but efficient energy profile within professional parameters.

The printer excels with a Bowden extruder drive system and a maximum extruder temperature of 554°F, positioning it well for a wide range of filament types, including tricky materials like Nylon and TPU. It supports a filament diameter of 1.75 mm and can optionally work with nozzles from 0.25 mm up to 1.2 mm, offering versatility to fine-tune the print resolution. Additionally, users benefit from features like automatic first-layer calibration and a filament runout sensor, reinforcing a smoother print process.

User Experience & Performance (Based on Specs)

Design & Build

The printer's Cartesian frame is solidly engineered, weighing 27.56 pounds and fitting into a 24-inch cubic footprint. Though it's an open enclosure design, its rugged frame ensures stability during printing. Dimension-wise, it demands a bit over 7.3 square feet of workspace, which professionals should consider in lab or office settings. The inclusion of a PEI-coated glass removable build plate enhances adhesion and ease of removal, supported by both auto and manual bed leveling options for precision.

Performance

Operating at an official maximum print speed of 300 mm/s, the measured effective speed tends to be closer to 60 mm/s, which aligns with maintaining print quality over sheer speed. The printer takes around 75 minutes to complete the classic "Benchy" test model, an acceptable time frame for its class. Importantly, the TAZ Workhorse+ yields a print success rate close to 95%, an excellent indicator of reliable output. Noise levels operate around 55 dB during printing, which is moderate and suitable for office or educational environments.

Materials & Compatibility

A strong point is the printer's ability to handle a broad array of filament materials: PLA, ABS, PETG, Nylon, and TPU. This flexibility is vital for professionals needing material-specific properties such as strength or flexibility. However, it demands filament drying due to moisture sensitivity, which adds some preparatory steps. While it doesn't offer multi-material printing or filament auto-loading, it supports third-party materials, broadening user choice without losing compatibility or performance.

Extra Features

Other hardware touches include a 3-inch screen size with a basic interface, filament runout sensor, and cooling fans to stabilize extrusion temperatures. Although it lacks a touchscreen or built-in camera, the printer supports Cura slicing software and USB/SD card file transfers, avoiding proprietary lock-ins and simplifying user integration. Firmware updates are manually available but not remotely, which fits a stable, controlled professional environment.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Wide compatibility with multiple filament types, including TPU and Nylon
• Robust Cartesian frame and reliable build volume suitable for professional prototyping
• Advanced features like auto bed leveling and filament runout sensor enhance uptime
• Strong safety certifications, including CE, FCC, and RoHS, with overheat and error shutdown protection

Cons

• Lacks multi-material printing and filament auto-loading, limiting some workflow efficiency
• No touchscreen display or built-in camera for remote monitoring
• Energy-saving mode is not supported, which could impact operational efficiency
• An open frame design may not suit environments requiring dust or fume containment

Price & Value for Money

Priced at $2995 at MatterHackers, the LulzBot TAZ Workhorse+ places itself firmly in the mid-to-high bracket for professional FDM printers. Given its one-year warranty, high operating voltage flexibility, and comprehensive filament compatibility, this pricing feels justified. The inclusion of safety certifications like CE, FCC, and RoHS further boosts trust and long-term dependability, crucial for professional users. However, the lack of multi-material capabilities and advanced monitoring features means that buyers with more complex multi-material workflows might find better value elsewhere.

Quick Take

In short, the LulzBot TAZ Workhorse+ shines where reliability and material versatility matter most. If we look at the numbers alone, its sizable build volume, strong safety compliance, and filament flexibility make it a capable workhorse for serious makers. It may not dazzle with cutting-edge automation or remote control features, but it delivers consistency and quality grounded in solid engineering.

Closing Recommendation

This printer may be ideal for intermediate to professional users who prioritize dependable, versatile FDM printing without the need for multi-material setups or cloud-based features. It appears to perform best in educational and engineering environments where ease of use, safety, and material breadth are paramount. Ultimately, the LulzBot TAZ Workhorse+ helps users achieve dependable prototyping outcomes backed by measurable build volume and thorough compatibility.

Verdict

Rating: Based on the specifications and overall feature set, we believe LulzBot TAZ Workhorse+ deserves 4.3 out of 5.

• Winner Feature => Exceptional filament compatibility, including high-temperature and flexible materials.
• Needs Improvement => Lack of multi-material printing and absence of remote monitoring capabilities limit modern workflow conveniences.