Print bed for 3d printing

Abstract

A print bed for 3D printing has at least one articulating support unit that can be selectively positioned at different elevations to support the printing of different workpieces having extended structures that begin to be printed before being connected to the workpiece's base structure. The articulating support unit reduces, or even eliminates, the amount of material needed to print temporary support structures for the extended structures, thereby reducing both wasted printing material and the time to print the workpiece. Multiple articulating support units can be configured together to provide a print bed assembly defining a relatively complex printing surface having build plates at multiple different elevations. Each articulating support unit has an independently controllable heating element to support the 3D printing process.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.