Three-dimensional (3d) printer having a variously configurable printing platform assembly

Abstract

A three-dimensional (3D) printer includes a platform assembly on which a 3D object can be built, an extruder, a filament feeding assembly feeding a filament to the extruder, a movable nozzle receiving heated filament from the extruder in a flowable form and directing the flowable filament material on the platform assembly to create the 3D object, and a controlling circuit for controlling an operation of the 3D printer. The platform assembly may include first and second plates separated from one another, a plurality of elongated structures connecting the first and second plates to one another, and a plurality of post assemblies disposed between the first and second plates. The post assemblies may include posts that can be selectively raised and lowered to protrude over the plate, from among the first and second plates, on which the 3D object will be built to assist with the building process.