International Business Machines Corporation
CONFIGURABLE PRINTING BED FOR 3D PRINTING

Abstract:

A configurable printing bed for a 3D printer includes a bed surface and linear actuators. The bed surface includes bed surface portions. Each of the bed surface portions is supported for independent movement. When each of the bed surface portions is positioned at the reference level, the bed surface portions form different parts of a common plane. Each of the linear actuators is connected to at least one of the bed surface portions, respectively. The linear actuators are configured to generate the independent movement of the bed surface portions and to effect positioning of the bed surface portions. A 3D printer includes the configurable printing bed, an extruder, a feeding system, and a filament spool. A method for performing 3D printing includes providing the 3D printer and printing an object using the 3D printer.