Building plate assembly for additive manufacturing including heating / cooling system

Abstract

A build plate assembly configured for use with an additive manufacturing machine. The build plate assembly includes a build plate that defines a receiving portion that extends through the build plate. An insert is seated in the receiving portion and is movable within the receiving portion. The insert includes a build surface configured to support a product built thereon by the additive manufacturing machine. The insert is seated on a base that includes a heating element configured to heat the insert. The insert is configured to expand within the receptacle when heated by the heating element. The receiving portion is configured to receive the expansion.

Description

[0001] introduction

[0002] The information provided in this section is for the purpose of generally presenting the background of the present disclosure. The work of the presently named inventors within the scope described in this section and aspects of this specification that may not have been prior art at the time of filing are neither explicitly nor implicitly admitted to be prior art to the present disclosure. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a build plate assembly for an additive manufacturing machine. Background Art

[0004] Additive manufacturing (also known as 3D printing) is a manufacturing process that creates objects by adding material layer by layer to a build plate. Unlike traditional subtractive manufacturing methods, which involve cutting material from a solid block to achieve the desired shape, additive manufacturing builds objects on top of a build plate. Each layer of material is fused together to form a cohesive product. This process typically generates heat, which is transferred to the build plate. Summary of the invention

[0005] Among various features, the present disclosure includes a build plate assembly configured for use with an additive manufacturing machine. The build plate assembly includes a build plate defining a receiving portion extending through the build plate. An insert is seated in the receiving portion and is movable within the receiving portion. The insert includes a build surface configured to support a product built thereon by the additive manufacturing machine. The insert is seated on a base, the base including a heating element configured to heat the insert. The insert is configured to expand within the receiving portion when heated by the heating element. The receiving portion is configured to accommodate the expansion.

[0006] In further features, the base includes a thermally conductive material.

[0007] In further features, the heating element includes at least one of a heating rod and a heating coil configured to conduct electrical current.

[0008] In further features, the base includes a cooling element configured to cool the base and the insert.

[0009] In further features, the cooling element includes a cooling line configured to carry a cooled coolant through the base.

[0010] In further features, the cooling element includes at least one of a cooling pin and a Peltier cooler.

[0011] In further features, the base directly contacts the insert.

[0012] In further features, the present disclosure provides an insulator defining an insulator receiving portion, the base being seated in the insulator receiving portion.

[0013] In further features, a gap is defined between the insulator and the base.

[0014] In further features, a backing plate is on a side of the insulator opposite the build plate, the backing plate defining a portion of the insulator receiving portion.

[0015] In further features, a biasing member contacts the base to bias the base and the insert in an outward position.

[0016] In further features, the build plate includes an outer plate surface; and the insert includes an outer insert surface configured as the build surface. The outer insert surface protrudes beyond the outer plate surface prior to the expanding.

[0017] In further features, the receiving portion is defined by an inner sidewall of the build plate. The inner sidewall tapers outwardly from an outer plate surface of the build plate such that the receiving portion is smallest at the outer plate surface. The insert includes an angled side surface opposite the inner sidewall. In response to the expansion, the angled side surface of the insert slides along the inner sidewall of the receiving portion to pull the insert from an outward position into the receiving portion to an inward position.

[0018] In further features, the build plate assembly is configured to be mounted to an elevator platform of the additive manufacturing machine.

[0019] Among various features, the present disclosure further includes a method for forming a product on a build plate with an additive manufacturing machine. The method includes the steps of heating an insert with a heating element included with a base supporting an insert of a build plate, the build plate defining a receiving portion for receiving the insert, the insert including a build surface configured to support the product built thereon by the additive manufacturing machine; depositing material on the insert; heating the material so that the material melts and forms the product; and cooling the insert with a cooling element of the base.

[0020] In further features, the insert is configured to expand within the receiving portion in response to being heated by heat transferred from the heating element to the insert, and the receiving portion is configured to accommodate the expansion.

[0021] In further features, after the expansion, the insert is configured to contract in response to being cooled by the cooling element of the base.

[0022] Among various features, the present disclosure further includes an additive manufacturing machine having an elevator platform and a build plate assembly configured to be mounted to the elevator platform. The build plate assembly includes: a build plate, the build plate defining a receiving portion extending through the build plate; an insert, the insert being seated in the receiving portion and movable within the receiving portion, the insert including a building surface, the building surface being configured to support a product built thereon by the additive manufacturing machine; and a base, the insert being seated on the base, the base including a heating element configured to heat the insert and a cooling element configured to cool the insert. The insert is configured to expand into an expanded configuration within the receiving portion in response to being heated by the heating element of the base, and the receiving portion is configured to accommodate the expansion. The insert is configured to contract from the expanded configuration in response to being cooled by the cooling element of the base.

[0023] The present invention also includes the following scheme:

[0024] Solution 1. A build plate assembly configured for use with an additive manufacturing machine, the build plate assembly comprising:

[0025] a build plate defining a receiving portion extending through the build plate;

[0026] an insert that is seated in the receiving portion and is movable within the receiving portion, the insert including a build surface configured to support a product built thereon by the additive manufacturing machine; and

[0027] a base on which the insert is seated, the base comprising a heating element configured to heat the insert;

[0028] Wherein, the insert is configured to expand within the receiving portion when heated by the heating element, and the receiving portion is configured to accommodate the expansion.

[0029] Option 2. A building plate assembly according to Option 1, wherein the base comprises a thermally conductive material.

[0030] Option 3. A building plate assembly according to Option 1, wherein the heating element comprises at least one of a heating rod and a heating coil configured to conduct electric current.

[0031] Option 4. The building plate assembly of Option 1, wherein the base further comprises a cooling element configured to cool the base and the insert.

[0032] Embodiment 5. The build plate assembly of embodiment 4, wherein the cooling element comprises a cooling line configured to carry a cooled coolant through the base.

[0033] Option 6. A building plate assembly according to Option 4, wherein the cooling element includes at least one of a cooling pin and a Peltier cooler.

[0034] Option 7. A building plate assembly according to Option 1, wherein the base directly contacts the insert.

[0035] Embodiment 8. The building plate assembly of embodiment 1 further comprises an insulator defining an insulator receiving portion, wherein the base is seated in the insulator receiving portion.

[0036] Option 9. The building plate assembly of Option 8, wherein a gap is defined between the insulator and the base.

[0037] Embodiment 10. The build plate assembly of embodiment 9, further comprising a backing plate on a side of the insulator opposite the build plate, the backing plate defining a portion of the insulator receiving portion.

[0038] Embodiment 11. The building plate assembly of embodiment 1 further comprises a biasing member in contact with the base to bias the base and the insert in an outward position.

[0039] Item 12. The building plate assembly of Item 1, wherein:

[0040] The build plate includes an exterior plate surface; and

[0041] The insert includes an outer insert surface configured as the building surface, the outer insert surface protruding beyond the outer panel surface prior to the expanding.

[0042] Embodiment 13. The building plate assembly of embodiment 1, wherein:

[0043] The receiving portion is defined by an inner sidewall of the build plate, the inner sidewall tapering outwardly from an outer plate surface of the build plate such that the receiving portion is smallest at the outer plate surface;

[0044] The insert includes an angled side surface opposite the inner sidewall; and

[0045] In response to the expansion, the angled side surface of the insert slides along the inner sidewall of the receiver to draw the insert from an outward position into the receiver to an inward position.

[0046] Embodiment 14. The build plate assembly of embodiment 1, wherein the build plate assembly is configured to be mounted to an elevator platform of the additive manufacturing machine.

[0047] Embodiment 15. A method for forming a product on a build plate by means of an additive manufacturing machine, the method comprising:

[0048] heating the insert via a heating element included with a base of the insert supporting a build plate, the build plate defining a receptacle for receiving the insert, the insert including a build surface configured to support the product built thereon by the additive manufacturing machine;

[0049] depositing a material on the insert;

[0050] heating the material to melt the material and form the product; and

[0051] The insert is cooled by means of a cooling element of the base.

[0052] Option 16. The method of Option 15, wherein the insert is configured to expand within the receiving portion in response to being heated by heat transferred from the heating element to the insert, and the receiving portion is configured to accommodate the expansion.

[0053] Embodiment 17. The method of embodiment 16, wherein after the expansion, the insert is configured to contract in response to being cooled by the cooling element of the base.

[0054] Solution 18. An additive manufacturing machine comprising:

[0055] lift platforms; and

[0056] a build plate assembly configured to be mounted to the elevator platform, the build plate assembly comprising:

[0057] a build plate defining a receiving portion extending through the build plate;

[0058] an insert that is seated in the receiving portion and is movable within the receiving portion, the insert including a build surface configured to support a product built thereon by the additive manufacturing machine; and

[0059] a base on which the insert is seated, the base comprising a heating element configured to heat the insert and a cooling element configured to cool the insert;

[0060] in:

[0061] The insert is configured to respond to being heated by the heating element of the base.

[0062] The receiving portion is configured to expand into an expanded configuration within the receiving portion, and the receiving portion is configured to accommodate

[0063] to accommodate said expansion; and

[0064] The insert is configured to respond to being cooled by the cooling element of the base.

[0065] Contracting from the expanded configuration.

[0066] Embodiment 19. The additive manufacturing machine according to embodiment 18, wherein:

[0067] The receiving portion is defined by an inner sidewall of the build plate, the inner sidewall tapering outwardly from an outer plate surface of the build plate such that the receiving portion is smallest at the outer plate surface;

[0068] The insert includes an angled side surface opposite the inner sidewall; and

[0069] In response to the expansion, the angled side surface of the insert slides along the inner sidewall of the receiver to draw the insert from an outward position into the receiver to an inward position.

[0070] Option 20. An additive manufacturing machine according to Option 19, wherein the insert is directly mounted on the base.

[0071] Other areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, claims and drawings.The detailed description and specific examples are intended for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0072] The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0073] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a build plate assembly according to the present disclosure mounted to an additive manufacturing machine;

[0074] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a build plate assembly mounted to a lift platform of an additive manufacturing machine;

[0075] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a build plate assembly with a product formed by additive manufacturing on an insert of the build plate assembly;

[0076] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a build plate assembly having a product formed therein;

[0077] Figure 5 is a plan view of another build plate assembly according to the present disclosure, the build plate assembly including a plurality of inserts each having a build surface; and

[0078] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6.

[0079] Among the drawings, reference numerals may be repeated to identify similar and / or identical elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0080] Figure 1 A build plate assembly 10 according to the present disclosure is illustrated. The build plate assembly 10 is configured to be mounted to an additive manufacturing machine 110, which is configured to build any suitable product on the build plate assembly 10. The additive manufacturing machine 110 may be any suitable machine configured to build a product by depositing multiple layers of material on the build plate assembly 10, such as by three-dimensional printing. The additive manufacturing machine 110 may be, for example, a metal additive manufacturing machine. The additive manufacturing machine 110 may be configured to build any suitable vehicle-related product, such as, but not limited to, engine parts, dashboard parts, user interface parts (e.g., buttons, knobs, switches, etc.), body parts, door handles, door interior parts, exhaust pipes, etc. The additive manufacturing machine 110 may be configured to build products for use with any suitable vehicle, such as any suitable passenger car, public transportation vehicle, aircraft, watercraft, commercial vehicle, construction vehicle, etc. The additive manufacturing machine 110 may also be configured to build products for any suitable non-vehicle applications.

[0081] Continue to refer Figure 1 , and additional reference Figure 2 , build plate assembly 10 includes build plate 20 defining a plurality of openings 22 configured to receive any suitable fasteners 24. Fasteners 24 are configured to mount build plate assembly 10 to an elevator platform 112 of an additive manufacturing machine 110. Build plate 20 includes an exterior plate surface 30 and an interior plate surface 32 opposite exterior plate surface 30. Insulator 70 is mounted to interior plate surface 32 by fasteners 24. Back plate 34 is between insulator 70 and elevator platform 112 and is secured in place by fasteners 24.

[0082] Build plate 20 defines receiving portion 40 between exterior plate surface 30 and interior plate surface 32. More specifically, inner sidewall 42 of build plate 20 extends from exterior plate surface 30 to interior plate surface 32. Inner sidewall 42 defines receiving portion 40. Inner sidewall 42 is angled outwardly from exterior plate surface 30 to interior plate surface 32. Inner sidewall 42 may be angled, for example, from about 5° to about 40°.

[0083] Insert 50 is seated in receiving portion 40. Insert 50 is movable in receiving portion 40 to accommodate expansion and contraction of insert 50 in response to heat generated during manufacturing. Insert 50 includes an outer insert surface 52 and an inner insert surface 54 opposite outer insert surface 52. Outer insert surface 52 is configured as a build surface on which additive manufacturing machine 110 builds a product. An angled side surface 56 of insert 50 extends from outer insert surface 52 to inner insert surface 54. An angled side surface 56 tapers outwardly from outer insert surface 52 to inner insert surface 54. An angled side surface 56 is angled to match the angle of inner sidewall 42. An angled side surface 56 abuts inner sidewall 42 to prevent powder of a manufactured product from becoming trapped between insert 50 and build plate 20. The angled side surfaces 56 of the insert 50 slide along the inner sidewall 42 as the insert 50 expands and contracts during the additive manufacturing process, as explained herein.

[0084] Insert 50 may be formed in any suitable manner. For example, insert 50 may be machined from build plate 20 by wire EDM, water jet, or any other suitable process. Insert 50 may also be machined from any suitable stock material rather than being formed from build plate 20. Receptacle 40 of build plate 20 may be machined into build plate 20 to provide inner sidewall 42 with an angle that matches angled side surface 56 of insert 50.

[0085] Before being placed in the receiving portion 40 of the build plate 20, the insert 50 can be machined to include various features. For example, the insert 50 can be machined to include inlet / outlet ports for cooling or heating passages, ejector pin holes, thermal sensing, ventilation lines, etc. A plug can be inserted into a pre-machined opening in the insert 50 to prevent powder from falling into the machined opening during the build. After the completed part is removed from the build plate 20, the plug can be removed as needed and the internal features of the part can be de-powdered. The plug can be reusable and configured to fit into the opening and be held in place, for example, by means of a threaded pipe plug or a press-fit pin.

[0086] The modulus and hardness of build plate 20 are equal to or greater than the modulus and hardness of insert 50. To enhance the wear resistance of build plate 20, inner sidewall 42 may be carburized or nitrided to locally increase the hardness at inner sidewall 42 where insert 50 contacts inner sidewall 42. Alternatively, inner sidewall 42 may be coated with a material harder than insert 50. Inner sidewall 42 and angled side surfaces 56 may be machined smooth, such as by polishing to less than about Ra=4 μm, and a lubricant such as graphite that is stable at elevated temperatures may be applied to inner sidewall 42 and / or angled side surfaces 56 to allow insert 50 to move freely and smoothly.

[0087] Build plate 20 is seated on insulator 70. Insulator 70 is any suitable insulator configured to insulate build plate 20. Insulator 70 includes sidewall 72 and insulator flange 74. Sidewall 72 defines insulator receiving portion 76. Base 80 is seated in insulator receiving portion 76, and insert 50 is seated on base 80. Base 80 is in direct contact with insert 50. Base 80 includes base flange 82, which is configured to abut insulator flange 74. A gap is defined between base 80 and insulator 70 to allow base 80 to expand when heated.

[0088] The base 80 is made of any heat-conducting material, such as, for example, copper or aluminum alloy. The base 80 includes any suitable heating element and cooling element. In some applications, the base 80 may include only a heating element, or only a cooling element. In the illustrated example, a heating element in the form of a heating rod 84 extends through the base 80, and when an electric current flows through the heating rod 84, the heating rod transfers heat to the base 80. A heating coil may be included to replace the heating rod 84, or a heating coil may be included in addition to the heating rod 84. As illustrated, the base 80 further includes a cooling element in the form of a cooling line 86, which is configured to cool the base 80 in any suitable manner. For example, any suitable coolant may flow through the cooling line 86 to cool the base 80. Suitable coolants include, but are not limited to, cooled inert gases (e.g., argon), cooled fluids that do not react with the deposited powder (e.g., mineral oil / ethylene glycol), Peltier coolers, cooling pins, etc. The cooling line 86 may include a bore. The base 80 may be manufactured in a suitable manner, such as by any suitable additive manufacturing process that defines passages for the heating rods 84 and cooling lines 86. The insulator 70 and / or the elevator platform 112 may include any suitable passages to accommodate cooling lines and electrical connections for the heating rods 84.

[0089] Figure 3The first portion 170 of the illustrated product is formed on the insert 50 by the additive manufacturing machine 110. Prior to forming the product, the insert 50 may be heated by a heating element of the base 80. For example, current may flow through the heating rod 84 to heat the base 80. Heat from the base 80 is transferred to the insert 50, which is in contact with the base 80. Heating the insert 50 causes the insert 50 to heat, such as along the insert 50. Figure 3 The insert 50 expands outwardly and downwardly in the direction of the arrows. Before being heated, the outer insert surface 52 is flush with or protrudes beyond the outer plate surface 30. When heated, the insert 50 moves into the receiving portion 40. Preheating the insert 50 minimizes the temperature difference between the insert 50 and the powder 150 melted thereon. Preheating also slows the cooling rate in the molten pool area at the outer insert surface 52, which reduces any risk of thermal distortion or cracking. Heating the insert 50 can reduce residual stress and warpage affected by the rapid temperature rise and reduction caused by the speed of the laser melting process. Heating can also improve the uniformity of heat distribution, resulting in more predictable results and a higher build success rate.

[0090] During the building process, the temperature of the base 80 can be continuous or variable. Thus, during the building process, the heating profile can be changed. For example, the temperature of the heating can be increased, decreased, or the heating can be stopped completely. For tall builds, the heating rods 84 can be activated during the first few centimeters of the build to minimize warping of the insert 50. As the build grows taller, the heating rods 84 can be deactivated.

[0091] To form first portion 170, powder 150 is first deposited on exterior plate surface 30 of build plate 20 and exterior insert surface 52 of insert 50. Build plate 20 may be made of any suitable material, such as any suitable alloy. Insert 50 may also be made of any suitable material, such as any suitable alloy that is the same or different from the alloy of build plate 20. Powder 150 is any suitable powder alloy that is configured to be welded to exterior insert surface 52 by laser 160. The alloy of insert 50 may be the same or different from the alloy of powder 150.

[0092] The laser 160 melts the powder 150 disposed on the outer insert surface 52 to build a first portion 170 of the product. Many layers of powder 150 are deposited and heated by the laser 160 to build the product upward layer by layer. As the powder 150 is heated by the laser 160, the heat may be transferred to the insert 50, depending on the temperature to which the insert 50 is preheated by the base 80. As the insert 50 is heated by the base 80 and / or by the heat generated by the laser melting, the insert 50 expands outward and downward, as for example by Figure 3As the insert 50 expands outwardly against the tapered inner sidewall 42 of the receiving portion 40, the insert 50 expands downwardly toward the back plate 34 and from the back plate 34. Figure 1 or Figure 2 The outward position expands into the receiving portion 40, reaching Figure 3 Specifically, when the insert 50 expands, the side surface 56 slides along the inner side wall 42 of the receiving portion 40, both of which are angled to allow the insert 50 to expand into the receiving portion 40 to the inward position.

[0093] Figure 4 The second portion 172 of the part is shown formed on the first portion 170. The second portion 172 is formed by melting the powder 150 deposited on top of the first portion 170 with the aid of the laser 160. After the part is fully formed and the first and second portions 170 and 172 cool, the insert 50 will also cool. The cooling of the insert 50 may be facilitated by the cooling line 86, such as by flowing a coolant through the cooling line 86. As the insert 50 cools, the insert 50 shrinks back to its original shape and size. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , a biasing member 60 (such as a spring) moves the base 80 and the insert 50 back to the outer position, where the outer insert surface 52 is flush with the outer panel surface 30 or protrudes outwardly beyond the outer panel surface 30, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 . Cooling line 86 supports heat removal during long builds of large parts and / or allows cooling after the product is completed. Cooling line 86 can increase production throughput by quickly cooling the product after it is built, and provide some microstructural control during the build. For example, excessive aging of certain alloys can be controlled by cooling the insert 50.

[0094] After the part has been fully formed, excess powder 150 is removed and build plate assembly 10 is disassembled from additive manufacturing machine 110. Insert 50 with the part formed thereon is removed from the side of interior plate surface 32, from receptacle 40. In some applications, insert 50 is part of the product. Thus, insert 50 need not be separated from first portion 170 of the product or any other portion of the product. In other applications, insert 50 may not be part of the product, and thus insert 50 will be separated from first portion 170 in any suitable manner.

[0095] Once insert 50 is removed from cooperation with build plate 20, build plate 20 can be reused to form additional products on additional inserts placed within receptacles 40. Thermal stresses caused by repeated rapid heating and cooling of the build layers are contained within insert 50. Thus, build plate 20 does not experience permanent distortion due to plastic deformation. Preventing permanent distortion of build plate 20 also extends the life of other components of build plate assembly 10 and additive manufacturing machine 110. For example, fasteners 24 can also be reused and protect a powder recoating arm used to apply powder 150 from any possible damage.

[0096] refer to Figure 5 , illustrates another build plate 20' according to the present disclosure. Build plate 20' defines a plurality of receptacles, each of which is configured to receive a different insert, such as first insert 50A, second insert 50B, and third insert 50C. Figure 5 The build plate 20' is shown as being configured to accommodate three inserts, but the build plate 20' can be configured to accommodate any suitable number of inserts, such as two inserts or more than three inserts. The inserts can have any suitable size and shape. Figure 5 In the example of , insert 50A is rectangular, insert 50B is square, and insert 50C is circular. Each of inserts 50A, 50B, and 50C includes a building surface configured to support a product formed thereon by additive manufacturing machine 110.

[0097] One or more of inserts 50A, 50B, 50C may include any suitable features that will align with features of the product built on insert 50A, 50B, 50C. For example, insert 50C includes a plurality of openings 90, which may be configured as cooling lines. Openings 90 will align with corresponding cooling lines of the product built on insert 50C. Thus, insert 50C will be included as part of the product. To prevent powder 150 from falling into openings 90 when the product is formed, plugs may be inserted into openings 90. Openings 90 may be formed in insert 50C in any suitable manner, such as by machining prior to attaching build plate 20′ to elevator platform 112. Reference Figure 6 , insert 50C may include tabs 92 configured to be received in recesses 94 of build plate 20. Cooperation between tabs 92 and recesses 94 rotationally aligns insert 50C with opening 90 during the build process.

[0098] The foregoing description is merely illustrative in nature and is by no means intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or use. The broad teachings of the present disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, although the present disclosure includes specific examples, the true scope of the present disclosure should not be so limited, because when studying the drawings, the specification and the following claims, other modifications will become apparent. It should be understood that one or more steps in the method can be performed in different orders (or simultaneously) without changing the principle of the present disclosure. In addition, although each of the embodiments described above is described as having certain features, any one or more of those features described in any embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented and / or combined with the features of any one in other embodiments, even if the combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and the arrangement of one or more embodiments to each other remains within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0099] Various terms are used to describe the spatial and functional relationships between elements (e.g., between modules, circuit elements, semiconductor layers, etc.), including "connected," "engaged," "coupled," "adjacent," "immediately adjacent," "on top of," "above," "below," and "disposed." Unless explicitly described as "directly," when describing the relationship between a first and a second element in the above disclosure, the relationship may be a direct relationship in which no other intermediate elements exist between the first and second elements, but may also be an indirect relationship in which one or more intermediate elements exist (spatially or functionally) between the first and second elements. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be interpreted as meaning a logical (A or B or C) using a non-exclusive logical "or," and should not be interpreted as meaning "at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C."

[0100] In the drawings, the direction of the arrows (as indicated by the arrows) generally represents the flow of information (such as data or instructions) of interest to the illustration. For example, when element A and element B exchange various information, but the information transmitted from element A to element B is relevant to the illustration, the arrow may be directed from element A to element B. This unidirectional arrow does not imply that no other information is transmitted from element B to element A. In addition, for information sent from element A to element B, element B may send a request for the information or a confirmation of receipt of the information to element A.

Claims

1. A build plate assembly configured for use with an additive manufacturing machine, the build plate assembly comprising: a build plate defining a receiving portion extending through the build plate; an insert disposed in the receiving portion and movable within the receiving portion, the insert including a build surface configured to support a product built thereon by the additive manufacturing machine; as well as a base on which the insert is seated, the base comprising a heating element configured to heat the insert; Wherein, the insert is configured to expand within the receiving portion when heated by the heating element, and the receiving portion is configured to accommodate the expansion.

2. The build plate assembly of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a thermally conductive material.

3. The build plate assembly of claim 1 , wherein the heating element comprises at least one of a heating rod and a heating coil configured to conduct an electric current.

4. The build plate assembly of claim 1 , wherein the base further comprises a cooling element configured to cool the base and the insert.

5. The build plate assembly of claim 4, wherein the cooling element comprises a cooling line configured to carry a cooled coolant through the base.

6. The build plate assembly of claim 4, wherein the cooling element comprises at least one of a cooling pin and a Peltier cooler.

7. The build plate assembly of claim 1, wherein the base directly contacts the insert.

8. The build plate assembly of claim 1, further comprising an insulator defining an insulator receiving portion, the base being seated in the insulator receiving portion.

9. The build plate assembly of claim 8, wherein a gap is defined between the insulator and the base.

10. The build plate assembly of claim 9, further comprising a backing plate on a side of the insulator opposite the build plate, the backing plate defining a portion of the insulator receiving portion.

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