Apparatus and method for supporting and extracting a build part formed in an additive manufacturing process

An apparatus for sacrificial interposer plate from the bottom surface of a build part formed in an additive manufacturing process in which the build part is formed on the interposer plate disposed between the build part and the build plate of an additive manufacturing machine, comprising:

• an apparatus for supporting the build part with the bottom surface facing upward to expose the interposer plate;
• a frame encircling and supporting the pin array so that the interposer plate is disposed above an end of the frame when the build part is supported by the pin array;
• and
• an enclosure configured to be disposed over the interposer plate and in sealed contact with the end of the frame to define a bath for receiving an etchant composition operable on the interposer plate to remove the material of the plate.

A method for extracting a build part from an additive manufacturing machine comprising the steps of:

• upon completion of the build part by the additive manufacturing machine, placing the build part in contact with a pin array, the pin array including a plurality of pins slidably supported by a support plate for vertical movement relative to the support plate;
• moving one of the pin array and the build part toward the other so that the plurality of pins contact the build part and conform to the contour of the build part;
• then locking the pins of the pin array with the pins in contact with and conforming to the build part;
• and
• inverting the pin array and build part with the pins remaining in contact with the build part, so that the build part is supported by the locked pins of the pin array.