Stackable build plates for additive manufacturing powder handling

A three-dimensional (3-D) printing system configured for providing a high energy beam for selectively heating metal powder deposited onto build plates within the system, the system comprising:

• a base including a build platform and a build chamber wall extending vertically from the build platform to define a build chamber;
• a first build plate attached to the base and movable in the build chamber in vertical directions to a position spaced vertically from a plane defined by the build platform;
• a second build plate movable in the build chamber and supported by the first build plate;
• a first set of fabricated objects supported by the first build plate;
• a second set of fabricated objects supported by the second build plate;
• a remaining portion of metal powder supported by either one or both of the first build plate and the second build plate remaining after selectively heating, with the high energy beam, a portion of the metal powder to form a respective one or ones of the first set of fabricated objects and the second set of fabricated objects supported by the one or both of the first build plate and the second build plate, wherein the first build plate and the second build plate are adjacent to the build chamber wall.

A three-dimensional (3-D) printing apparatus comprising:

• a base including a build platform and a build chamber wall extending vertically from the build platform to define a build chamber;
• a first build plate device comprising a first build plate attached to the base and movable in the build chamber in vertical directions to a position spaced vertically from a plane defined by the build platform;
• a first support shaft;
• and
• a second build plate device comprising a second build plate movable in the build chamber and supported by the first build plate via the first support shaft such that a portion of the second build plate is spaced vertically without interruption from the first build plate, the first build plate and the second build plate thereby being configured to simultaneously support fabricated objects via contact with the fabricated objects,
• wherein the first build plate device and the second build plate device are in abutment with the build chamber wall.