# US 11,897,197 B2 · Heated plate for a three-dimensional printer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,897,197 B2 - Document ID: US11897197B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/478,048 - Filed: 2021-09-17 - Published: 2023-03-23 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2021-09-17 - Assignees: Essentium Ipco, LLC - Applicants: Essentium, Inc. - Inventors: Natalie Pardivala; Nirup Nagabandi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11897197B2 ## CPC - B29C 64/295: Heating elements - B29C 64/118: using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM] - B29C 64/188: involving additional operations performed on the added layers, e.g. smoothing, grinding or thickness control (surface shaping B29C59/00; after-treatment of articles without altering their shape B29C71/00) - B29C 64/209: Heads; Nozzles - B29C 64/393: for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes - B33Y 10/00: Processes of additive manufacturing - B33Y 30/00: Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor - B33Y 50/02: for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B33Y: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING ## Abstract A three-dimensional printer for generating a printed component, includes a build substrate defining a surface that supports the printed component and a heated nozzle including a nozzle body. The heated nozzle is configured to deposit a build material upon either the build substrate or the printed component. The three-dimensional printer also includes a heated plate including one or more heating elements and a main body that defines an opening for receiving the nozzle body of the heated nozzle. The one or more heating elements are configured to heat at least a portion of the heated plate to a predefined temperature, where a volume of hot air is created between the heated plate and the printed component when the heated plate is heated to the predefined temperature. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A three-dimensional printer for generating a printed component, the three-dimensional printer comprising: a build substrate defining a surface that supports the printed component; a print head defining a bottom portion and a tool head, wherein the tool head is located underneath the bottom portion of the print head; a heated nozzle including a nozzle body, wherein the heated nozzle is configured to deposit a build material upon either the build substrate or the printed component; a heated plate including one or more heating elements and a main body that defines an opening for receiving the nozzle body of the heated nozzle, wherein the one or more heating elements are configured to heat at least a portion of the heated plate to a predefined temperature, wherein a volume of hot air is created between the heated plate and the printed component when the heated plate is heated to the predefined temperature; and a vertically adjustable mounting fixture located beneath the tool head, wherein the vertically adjustable mounting fixture attaches the heated plate to the tool head and includes an adjustment assembly for adjusting a vertical distance measured between a lower surface of the heated plate and the surface of the build substrate. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The three-dimensional printer of claim 1, further comprising a control module in electronic communication with the one or more heating elements of the heated plate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The three-dimensional printer of claim 2, further comprising one or more temperature sensors in electronic communication with the control module, wherein the one or more temperature sensors monitor a temperature of the heated plate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The three-dimensional printer of claim 3, wherein the control module executes instructions to: monitor the one or more temperature sensors for electronic signals indicating the temperature of the heated plate; determine a current temperature of the heated plate based on the electronic signals from the one or more temperature sensors; and instruct the one or more heating elements to increase, decrease, or maintain the temperature of the heated plate based on the current temperature of the heated plate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The three-dimensional printer of claim 4, wherein the control module executes instructions to: instruct the one or more heating elements to heat an entire portion of a lower surface the heated plate to the predefined temperature. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The three-dimensional printer of claim 4, wherein the heated plate includes a lower surface that is divided into one or more sections. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The three-dimensional printer of claim 6, wherein the control module executes instructions to: instruct the one or more heating elements to heat the one or more sections of the lower surface of the heated plate to the predefined temperature. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The three-dimensional printer of claim 7, wherein the lower surface of the heated plate is divided into equal sections. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The three-dimensional printer of claim 7, wherein the lower surface of the heated plate is divided into concentric sections. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The three-dimensional printer of claim 1, wherein the volume of hot air between the heated plate and the printed component is at an air temperature that heats a portion of the printed component located on the build substrate to a fusing temperature. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The three-dimensional printer of claim 10, wherein the fusing temperature is a predefined margin below a heat deflection temperature of the build material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The three-dimensional printer of claim 1, wherein the heated plate includes one of the following: a triangular profile, a square profile, a rectangular profile, a pentagon profile, and a circular profile. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The three-dimensional printer of claim 1, wherein the adjustment assembly includes a bolt disposed between two spring washer assemblies, wherein the bolt secures the vertically adjustable mounting fixture to the tool head. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The three-dimensional printer of claim 13, wherein each spring washer assembly includes a pin and a plurality of stacked spring washers. ### Claim 15 A three-dimensional printer for generating a printed component, the three-dimensional printer comprising: a build substrate defining a surface that supports the printed component; a print head defining a bottom portion and a tool head, wherein the tool head is located underneath the bottom portion of the print head; a heated nozzle including a nozzle body, wherein the heated nozzle is configured to deposit a build material upon either the build substrate or the printed component; a heated plate including one or more heating elements and a main body that defines an opening for receiving the nozzle body of the heated nozzle, wherein the one or more heating elements are configured to heat at least a portion of the heated plate to a predefined temperature, wherein a volume of hot air is created between the heated plate and the printed component when the heated plate is heated to the predefined temperature; a vertically adjustable mounting fixture located beneath the tool head, wherein the vertically adjustable mounting fixture attaches the heated plate to the tool head and includes an adjustment assembly for adjusting a vertical distance measured between a lower surface of the heated plate and the surface of the build substrate; one or more temperature sensors that monitor a temperature of the heated plate; and a control module in electronic communication with the one or more temperature sensors and the one or more heating element, wherein the control module executes instructions to: monitor the one or more temperature sensors for electronic signals indicating the temperature of the heated plate; determine a current temperature of the heated plate based on the electronic signals from the one or more temperature sensors; and instruct the one or more heating elements to increase, decrease, or maintain the temperature of the heated plate based on the current temperature of the heated plate. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The three-dimensional printer of claim 15, wherein the control module executes instructions to: instruct the one or more heating elements to heat an entire portion of a lower surface the heated plate to the predefined temperature. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The three-dimensional printer of claim 16, wherein the heated plate includes a lower surface that is divided into one or more sections. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The three-dimensional printer of claim 17, wherein the control module executes instructions to: instruct the one or more heating elements to heat the one or more sections of the lower surface of the heated plate to the predefined temperature. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The three-dimensional printer of claim 15, wherein the volume of hot air between the heated plate and the printed component is at an air temperature that heats a portion of the printed component located on the build substrate to a fusing temperature. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The three-dimensional printer of claim 19, wherein the fusing temperature is a predefined margin below a heat deflection temperature of the build material.