Screw It! Build a Working Archimedes Screw From Scratch

Archimedes (c. 287 BCE – c. 212 BCE) was a Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, inventor, and astronomer, widely regarded as one of the greatest scientific minds in history. He made foundational contributions to geometry, calculus, fluid mechanics, and mechanics, famously formulating the principle of buoyancy (Archimedes' Principle) while bathing—leading to his legendary exclamation, "Eureka!" Among his many inventions are the compound pulley, war machines used to defend Syracuse, and the Archimedes screw, a device still used today to move water.

The Archimedes screw has been used throughout history to remove water from the lower decks of ships, drain excess water from agricultural fields, and even generate electricity in modern hydroelectric systems. In this Instructable, you’ll learn how to design and 3D print an optimized version of this timeless device to demonstrate its clever functionality and enduring impact.

PLA+ (clear for demonstration)

J-B Weld PlasticWeld (or Super Glue)

The Archimedes screw consists of a helical (spiral) blade inside a hollow tube, typically inclined at an angle. When the screw is rotated, water is trapped in the pockets of the spiral and carried upward as the screw turns. This process relies on the principle of displacement, where each rotation moves a small amount of water along the spiral path until it reaches the top and is discharged.

Determining the optimal pitch of the helix, along with the inner radius, is a complex challenge. Fortunately, Chris Rorres addressed this issue in his paper The Turn of the Screw: Optimal Design of the Archimedes Screw (link), published in the Journal of Hydraulic Engineering. Through numerical analysis, he derived the optimal relationships between key parameters. These findings can be applied in software like Fusion 360 to design a highly efficient Archimedes screw based on any given outer radius and incline angle. Below, I’ve included a step-by-step tutorial on how to create the optimal screw design using these principles. My version was optimized for a 45 degree incline, is tall but within the height capabilities of nearly any 3D printer, and includes a handle with rotating knob printed as a single piece.

Clear PLA is my recommended choice for filament since it allows for some visibility into the screw. These are the parameters I used in Cura. I have also included the print time on my Ender 3 S1.

Screw: 20% Infill, No Support (27.5 Hours)

Container: 100% Infill, No Support (6.4 Hours)

Handle and Knob: 100% Infill, Support (1.2 Hours)

Assembly is straightforward: simply glue the handle's axle into the screw. Use a rubber band to add a bit of pressure and to hold the handle in place. Once the adhesive has cured, insert the screw-and-handle assembly into the container. The lip at the bottom of the container secures the screw in place, while the clearance between the screw and the case allows it to rotate freely.

Irrigate your crops. Keep your ship afloat. The possibilities are endless with your 3D printed Archimedes screw!