AU2015203876A1 - Build platforms for three dimensional printers - Google Patents

Abstract

A build platform for a three dimensional printer. The build platform comprises a framework and a plurality of heat conducting plates supported by the framework to form a print bed, wherein neighbouring conducting plates are spaced apart from each other. The build platform further comprises a plurality of heating elements, wherein each of the plurality of conducting plates is coupled to at least one heating element. The print bed defines a plurality of zones. Each zone being associated with at least one of the plurality of conducting plates and at least one of the plurality of heating elements and each zone is capable of being selectively heated independently of other zones. ,\---- 118 116 118 116 --- 118 112 ------- ------- ------ ---------------- --------------------- -------------- --------------------- ---------------- -------------------- -------- ------------Controller 1 1 2 ---------------- --------------------- ------------------- ----------------------- ------------------------ ---------------- -------------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -- ------- --------- ------- -------------- If ---------------------- Power Supply 116 ------------------- ------------------ ------ --- 116 116 ---- 118 --- Figure 5 302 --- 300 304 ---------------------- ---- 302 aMMUMMOR IMENEX ---- 302 Figure 6

Description

1 "Build platforms for three dimensional printers" Technical Field [0001] Described embodiments generally relate to build platforms for three dimensional or 3D printers. Some embodiments relate to a build platform comprising a print bed defining a plurality of zones, wherein each zone is capable of being selectively heated independently of other zones of the plurality of zones. Some embodiments relate to control system and a method of selectively controlling the temperature of the zones of the build platform. Background [0002] Three dimensional printers or 3D printers may be employed to print a wide variety of objects of different shapes and sizes. In some cases, as a printed object cools, some parts of the object cool at a different rate to other parts of the object. This has been found to lead to curling and/or warping of the object. Heated build platforms are used to mitigating such curling and/or warping by encouraging the extrusion to stick to the print bed and to thereby improve printing quality. [0003] It is desired to address or ameliorate one or more shortcomings of known build platforms, or to at least provide a useful alternative thereto. [0004] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or comprisingng, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. [0005] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

2 Summary [0006] Some embodiments relate to a build platform for a three dimensional printer, the build platform comprising a framework; a plurality of heat conducting plates supported by the framework to form a print bed, wherein neighbouring conducting plates are spaced apart from each other; and a plurality of heating elements, wherein each of the plurality of conducting plates is coupled to at least one heating element; wherein the print bed defines a plurality of zones, each zone being associated with at least one of the plurality of conducting plates and at least one of the plurality of heating elements; and wherein each zone is capable of being selectively heated independently of other zones of the plurality of zones. [0007] The framework may be a grid structure and the plurality of heat conducting plates may be arranged in rows and columns on the framework. [0008] In some embodiments, the heat conducting plates may be coupled to the framework by non heat conducting bearings. For example, the heating elements may comprise resistive heating pads. [0009] In some embodiments, the build platform may comprise a build surface disposed on the print bed, the build surface comprising a heat conductive material. For example, the build surface may comprise at least one of metal, ceramic and glass. [0010] In some embodiments, the build platform may comprise a plurality of temperature sensors, and wherein at least one of the plurality of temperature sensors may be associated with a respective zone. The plurality of temperature sensors may be configured to transmit data indicative of a sensed temperature to a controller. [0011] In some embodiments, the plurality of heating elements may be each arranged to be independently connected to a power supply and may be arranged to receive power from the power supply under the control of a controller. [0012] Some embodiments relate to a control system comprising: a build platform as described above; a controller for selectively controlling the temperature of the zones of the print bed; and a power supply coupled to the controller and coupled to each of the plurality of heating elements of the build platform; wherein the controller is configured to control the supply of power from 3 the power supply to at least one of the plurality of heating elements of at least one selected zone of the plurality of zones independently of other zones of the plurality of zones to control the temperature of the at least one selected zone. [0013] In some embodiments, the control system may further comprise a user interface and the controller may be configured to control the supply of power to the selected zone in response to receiving an input from a user using the user interface. In some embodiments, the control system may be configured to communicate with a processor executing a printing program for printing an object on the print bed of the build platform and the controller may be configured to control the supply of power to the selected zone in response to receiving an input from the processor. For example, the input may comprise an indication of the at least one selected zone and a set temperature for the at least one selected zone. In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to retrieve from a memory an indication of the at least one selected zone and a set temperature for the at least one selected zone. [0014] In some embodiments, the build platform may comprise a plurality of temperature sensors, wherein at least one of the plurality of temperature sensors is associated with a respective zone and each of the plurality of temperature sensors is configured to transmit data indicative of a sensed temperature to the controller. [0015] In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to regulate the temperature of the at least one selected zone by comparing a sensed temperature of the at least one selected zone with the set temperature and adjusting the temperature of the at least one of the plurality of heating elements of at least one selected zone until the sensed temperature is substantially equal to the set temperature. [0016] Some embodiments relate to a computer implemented method of controlling the temperature of zones of a print bed of a build platform, the method implementable by a control system comprising a controller, a power supply and the build platform as discussed above, the method comprising: transmitting, from the controller to the power supply, a control signal to control the supply of power from the power supply to at least one of the plurality of heating elements of at least one selected zone of the plurality of zones independently of other zones of the plurality of zones to control the temperature of the at least one selected zone; receiving, by the power supply, the control signal; and supplying, by the power supply, power to the at least 4 one of the plurality of heating elements of at least one selected zone of the plurality of zones in accordance with the control signal. [0017] In some embodiments, transmitting the control signal may comprise transmitting the control signal in response to receiving an input signal from at least one of a user interface and a processor executing a printing program for printing an object on the print bed of the build platform. The input may comprise an indication of the at least one selected zone and a set temperature for the at least one selected zone. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise retrieving, by the controller from a memory, an indication of the at least one selected zone and a set temperature for the at least one selected zone. [0018] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise receiving, by the controller, data indicative of a sensed temperature from at least one of a plurality of temperature sensors associated with the at least one selected zone; comparing, by the controller, the sensed temperature with the set temperature; and determining, by the controller, the control signal based on the comparison to cause the power supply to adjust the power supplied to the at least one of the plurality of heating elements until the sensed temperature is substantially equal to the set temperature. Brief Description of Drawings [0019] Embodiments are described in further detail below, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0020] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a 3D printer comprising a build platform according to some embodiments; [0021] Figure 2 is a close up view of the build platform of Figure 1; [0022] Figure 3 is a perspective underside view of the build platform of Figure 1; [0023] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a 3D printer comprising a build platform including a print bed and a build surface disposed on the print bed, according to some embodiments; 5 [0024] Figure 5 is a block diagram of a control system comprising a controller for selectively controlling heating elements of the build platforms of Figures 1 to 4, according to some embodiments; [0025] Figure 6 is an example view of a user interface of the controller of the control system of Figure 5, according to some embodiments; [0026] Figure 7 is a flow diagram of a method of controlling the temperature of zones of the print bed, implementable by the controller of the control system of Figure 5; and [0027] Figure 8 is a flow diagram of a method of selectively controlling heating elements of the build platforms of Figures 1 to 5, implementable by the controller of the control system of Figure 5. Description of Embodiments [0028] Described embodiments generally relate to build platforms for three dimensional or 3D printers. Some embodiments relate to a build platform comprising a print bed defining a plurality of zones, wherein each zone is capable of being selectively heated independently of other zones of the plurality of zones. Some embodiments relate to a controller and a method of controlling a temperature of the zones of the build platform and some embodiments relate to a control system and a method of selectively controlling the zones of the build platform. [0029] Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a 3D printer 100 comprising a build platform 104, such as a heated build platform, and an extruder print head 104. The extruder print head 104 is configured to extrude a plastic filament and to travel along an x-axis and a y-axis to deposit the plastic on the build platform 104 to create an object or model (not shown). The build platform 104 is configured to travel along a z-axis to raise and lower the build platform 104 relative to the extruder print head 104 to allow the object (not shown) to be printed in layers. [0030] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the build platform 104 may comprise a framework 106 for supporting a print bed 108. In some embodiments, the framework 106 may comprise a grid or lattice structure defining a plurality of rows and columns.

6 [0031] The print bed 108 comprises a plurality of separate or individual heat conducting plates 110 supported by the framework 106. The heat conducting plates 110 may be composed of any suitable heat conducting material(s), such as aluminium. [0032] In some embodiments, each heat conducting plate 110 may be spaced apart from neighbouring heat conducting plate(s) 110 to thereby allow for expansion of the heat conducting plate 110 within a selected temperature range. For example, the spacing between neighbouring heat conducting plate(s) 110 may be selected to mitigate the chance of neighbouring heat conducting plate(s) 110 coming into contact with one another within a selected temperature range, for example, in response to the application of heat to heat conducting plate(s) 110 under control of a controller 112, as will be discussed below in more detail with reference to Figures 5, 6 and 7. [0033] In some embodiments, and as depicted in Figure 1, the print bed 108 may comprise nine heat conducting plates 110. However, it will be appreciated that the print bed 108 may comprise any suitable number of heat conducting plates 110. [0034] As best illustrated in Figure 2, the heat conducting plates 110 are coupled to the framework 106. For example, the heat conducting plates 110 may be affixed or otherwise secured to the framework 106 using non-heat-conductive bearings 114, such as Teflon washers. However, it will be appreciated that any suitable coupling mechanism may be employed. [0035] Referring to Figure 3, one or more heating elements 116, such as heating pads or resistive heating plates, may be coupled or connected to a respective heat conducting plate 110. As shown in Figure 3, the heating elements 116 may be coupled to an underside of respective heat conducting plates 110. [0036] In some embodiments, the print bed 108 comprises a plurality of zones. Each zone comprises at least one individual heat conducting plate 110 and at least one individual heating element 116. For example, in some embodiments, the number of heating elements 116, such as four, six, nine or sixteen elements, may correspond directly with the number of zones 108 of the build platform 104. In some embodiments, a zone may comprise a plurality of individual heat conducting plates 110, and a plurality of heating elements 116, each individual heat conducting plates 110 being associated with and coupled to at least one of the plurality of heating elements 116. In some embodiments, an equal number of heating elements 116 may be coupled to each of 7 the heat conducting plates 110 forming the print bed 108 to allow for uniform heating of the print bed 108. [0037] In some embodiments, the build platform 104 comprises one or more sensors 118, such as temperature sensors. For example, the one or more sensors 118 may be disposed at or in proximity to one or more of the zones. In some embodiments, a sensor 118 may be associated with one or more of the heat conducting plates 110, the heating elements 116 and/or the zones. For example, in some embodiments, the number of sensors 118 may correspond directly with the number of zones of the build platform 104. [0038] In some embodiments, as depicted in Figure 4, the build platform 104 may comprise a build surface 120 disposed on the print bed 108. The build surface 120 may be composed of a heat conductive material. For example, the build surface 120 may comprise at least one of metal such as aluminium, plastic, ceramic, fibreglass or glass. In some embodiments, the build surface 120 may comprise a single sheet or multiple sheets of the heat conductive material. Accordingly, the heat conducting plates 110 of the print bed 108 may be configured to transfer heat to the build surface 120. For example, the heat conducting plates 110 may make contact with the build surface 120. [0039] In some embodiments, a set of control electronics that are able to switch power to operate each of the individual heating elements 116, to switch them on and off, and to control their target temperature, is provided. For example, and as illustrated in Figure 5, there is provided a control system 200 for controlling the build platform 104. The control system 200 comprises the controller 112 coupled to a power supply 122. For example, the controller 120 may comprise a solid state switching circuit or relay. [0040] The power supply 122 is arranged to connect to each of the heating elements 116 of the build platform 104 and the controller 112 is configured to control the supply of power from the power supply 122 to each of the heating elements 116 to thereby control the temperature of each of the heat conducting plates 110 to which the heating elements 116 are coupled independently of neighbouring heat conducting plates 110. In this way, selected heat conducting plates 110 and/or zones may be heated to different temperatures than neighbouring conducting plates 110 and/or zones. Thus, the temperature of the heat conducting plates 110 and/or zones may be individually controllable by the controller 112. This can prove useful in situations when only a small object is to be printed relative to the overall size of the print bed allowing for the section of 8 only a number of neighbouring conducting plates 110 or zones, and thereby reducing energy consumption. [0041] In some embodiments, the controller 120 is arranged to couple to each of the sensors 118 of the build platform 104 and to receive data from the sensors 118 indicative of the temperature of the heat conducting plate 110 and/or zone with which the sensor 118 is associated. The controller 112 may employ the data from one or more sensors 118 to adjust the power being supplied to selected heating elements 116 to thereby enable the controller 112 to more accurately determine, set and control the temperature of the heat conducting plates 110 and/or zones associated with the selected heating elements 116 and accordingly, the temperature of the print bed 108, or regions thereof. [0042] For example, in some embodiments, the controller 112 may be arranged to perform a method 400 of controlling the temperature of zones of the print bed 108, as shown in the process flow diagram of Figure 7. [0043] At 402, the controller 112 receives an indication of a desired temperature, Td, for a select zone of the print bed 108. For example, in some embodiments, the controller 112 may receive the indication of the desired temperature for the select or specific zone from a user via a user interface 300 of the controller 112, such as that depicted in Figure 6 discussed below. In some embodiments, the controller 112 may be configured to communicate with a processor (not shown) arranged to execute a print program or printing software to control the extrusion process and movement of the extruder print head 104 to print an object on the print bed 108. The printing software may be configured to determine the indication of the desired temperature for the select or specific zone and the controller 112 may receive the indication of the desired temperature for the select or specific zone from the processor (not shown). [0044] At 404, the controller 112 determines a current or detected temperature Tc of the select zone of the print bed 108. For example, in some embodiments, the controller 112 receives an indication of the current temperature of the select zone from a sensor 118 disposed at or in proximity to the select zone. [0045] At 406, the controller 112 compares the desired temperature and the detected temperature. If the desired temperature is substantially equal to the detected temperature, for example, within a suitable or specified tolerance range, the method 400 proceeds to a pending 9 state, for example, awaiting an input indicating a desired temperature for a zone, at 416. If the desired temperature is greater than the detected temperature, at 408, the controller 112 directs the power supply 122 to increase the power being supplied to the zone, to thereby increase the temperature of the heating element(s) 116 associated with the zone, at 412. If the desired temperature is less than the detected temperature, at 408, the controller 112 directs the power supply 122 to decrease the power being supplied to the zone, to thereby decrease the temperature of the heating element(s) 116 associated with the zone, at 414. [0046] In some embodiments, the method 400 may further comprise regulating the temperature of the print bed 108. For example, the controller 112 may monitor the current temperature of the selected zone or a number of zones and may adjust the temperature of the heating element(s) 116 associated with the zone(s) to account for fluctuations in temperature and to maintain the current temperature of the selected zone or zones at the desired temperature. [0047] In some embodiments, the controller 112 may comprise the user interface 300, such as a Colour Liquid Crystal Touch Screen as shown in Figure 6. The user interface 300 may be configured to display a graphical representation of each zone of the build platform 104 with the current temperature and the set or desired temperature displayed in each zone. In some embodiments, a graphical representation of each zone of the build platform 104 may be coloured or highlighted to indicate at a glance the status of the zone, for example; a blue colour may indicate the zone is cooling down; a red colour may indicate the zone is heating up; and a green colour may indicate the zone is at the desired temperature. [0048] The user interface 300 may include a plurality of user selectable options 302 to allow a user to cause the controller 112 to adjust or set the temperature of the heating elements 116 of the build platform 104. For example, each heat conducting plate 110 and/or zone may be controlled individually by a user selecting or briefly touching a user selectable option 302 representing heat conducting plate 110 and/or zone displayed on a screen 304 of the user interface 300 and then increasing or decreasing a set temperature of the heating element(s) 116 associated with the heat conducting plate 110 and/or zone by selecting or touching a user selectable option 302 representing an increase or decrease of the set temperature for example, for 5 second, to change the temperature of the selected heat conducting plate 110 and/or zone. For example, a temperature set point, SP, for a selected heat conducting plate 110 and/or zone may be increased or decreased in 1 C steps or the set temperature may be set to a pre-programmed 10 value by selecting or touching one of a number of pre-programmed buttons, SP#1, SP#2, or SP#3. [0049] In some embodiments, multiple heat conducting plates 110 and/or zones may be controlled together as a region by selecting or touching those user selectable options 302 representing the heat conducting plates 110 and/or zones displayed on a screen 304 and selecting the user selectable options 302 to adjust the set temperature. [0050] In some embodiments, the controller 112 may comprise a software Emergency Stop user selection option 306 or button which disables all the heater power supplies, for example, by instructing the power supply 122 to disconnect or discontinue the supply of power to the heating elements 116 of the build platform 104. [0051] Referring to Figure 8, there is shown a flow diagram of a method 500 of selectively controlling heating elements 116 of the build platform 104 using the user interface 300 of the controller 112, according to some embodiments. [0052] At 502, the controller 112 including the user interface 300, and the power supply 122 are switched on by a user or by the processor (not shown) executing the printing software. At 504, the controller 112 sets all of the heating elements 116 coupled to the power supply 122 to OFF and the desired temperature of all of the heating elements 116 to 0 0 C. [0053] At 506, the temperature of the heating elements 116 and/or zone(s) are regulated according to set conditions. In some embodiments, the set condition may comprise a set temperature or set temperature range for the heating elements 116 and/or zone(s). For example, the set conditions may be retrieved by the controller from a local or external memory and/or may be received from a user and/or the processor (not shown) executing the printing software. [0054] At 508, the controller 112 determines whether the emergency OFF selection is activated. If the controller 112 determines that the emergency OFF selection has been activated, the process reverts to 504, and the controller 112 sets all of the heating elements 116 coupled to the power supply 122 to OFF and the desired temperature of all of the heating elements 116 to 0OC.

11 [0055] At 510, if the controller 112 detects a request to adjust, for example, increase/decrease, the temperature of all heating elements 116 and/or zones, the controller 112 issues an instruction to the power supply 122 to increase/decrease the supply of power to the heating elements 116, at 512. For example, the controller 112 may detect the request as a result of selection by a user of a user selectable option 302 on the user interface 300 or as a result of receiving the request from the processor (not shown) executing the printing software. The request may include an indication of the heating elements 116 and/or zones to be adjusted and set temperature(s) for the heating elements 116 and/or zones. In some embodiments, the controller 112 may increase/decrease the temperature of the heating elements 116 by 1 C for each time the user selectable option 302 is selected. In some embodiments, the controller 112 may retrieve an indication of the heating elements 116 and/or zones to be adjusted and set temperature(s) for the heating elements 116 and/or zones from a local memory or an external memory. The method 500 then returns to 506, to regulate the temperature of the heating elements 116 and/or zones. Otherwise, the method 500 proceeds to 514. [0056] At 514, if the controller 112 detects a request to set the temperature of all heating elements 116 to a pre-programmed temperature or set point (SP), for example, SP#1, SP#2 or SP#3, the controller 112 issues an instruction to the power supply 122 to increase/decrease the supply of power to the heating elements 116 in order to set the temperature of all heating elements 116 to the temperature associated with the selected set point, at 516. For example, the controller 112 may detect the request as a result of selection by a user of a user selectable option 302 on the user interface 300 or as a result of receiving the request from the processor (not shown) executing the printing software. In some embodiments, the controller 112 may retrieve the set point(s) or set temperature(s) for the heating elements 116 and/or zones from a local memory or an external memory. The method 500 then returns to 506, to regulate the temperature of the heating elements 116 and/or zones. Otherwise, the method 500 proceeds to 518. [0057] At 518, if the controller 112 detects a request to control the temperature of a particular heating element or zone, the controller 112 determines the status of the selected heating element 116 or zone, at 520. For example, the controller 112 may detect the request as a result of selection by a user of a user selectable option 302 on the user interface 300 or as a result of receiving the request from the processor (not shown) executing the printing software. In some embodiments, the controller 112 determines the status of the selected heating element 116 or zone by referring to a memory (not shown) arranged to store the temperatures at which each 12 heating element 116 or zone have been set to. In some embodiments, the controller 112 determines the status of the selected heating element 116 or zone by receiving data from sensor(s) 118 associated with the selected heating element 116 or zone. [0058] At 522, the controller 112 turns ON/OFF or increases/decreases power to the selected heating element 116 or heating elements 116 associated with the selected zone in accordance with the request. At 524, the controller determines if the request has been completed. If the request has not been completed, the method 500 reverts to 520 and the controller 112 determines the status of the selected heating element 116 or zone. Otherwise, the method 500 returns to 506, to regulate the temperature of the heating elements 116 and/or zones. [0059] In some embodiments, 520, 522, 524 and 506 of method 500 comprise method 400. [0060] As described above, in some embodiments, printing software executing on a processor (not shown) to print an object on the print bed 108, for example, by controlling the extrusion process and movement of the extruder print head 104, is configured to automatically activate zones of the print bed 108 required for the object or objects to be printed by causing the controller 112 to heat the heating elements 116 associated with the zones. [0061] In some embodiments, the printing software may have access to information, such as print condition information, which may include information about the temperature of the zones of the build platform 104, an intended or actual position of the object or model on the print bed 108 and the intended size of the object. For example, the information may be stored in memory (not shown) associated with the controller 112 and/or the processor (not shown). This information can be captured from the data that is passed to the printer (not shown) during the printing process and used to determine which heating zones should be activated and what temperature they should be set to. For example, in some embodiments, the processor (not shown) is configured to transmit this information to the controller 112 to enable the controller 112 to activate the associated zone(s) of the print bed 108 and to regulate and control the temperature of the relevant zone(s) in accordance with the requirements of the printing process. [0062] As mentioned above, allowing selection of a particular region of the print bed 108 to be heated, for example, by a user or the printing software, can have a particular utility with respect to large format 3D printers, in cases where relatively small objects are to be printed.

13 [0063] The controller 112 allows for a user, or printing software being executed on a processor (not shown), to create or dictate a temperature gradient across the print bed 108 of the build platform 104. This may be particularly useful when printing several objects or models sequentially that may require different print conditions for a first layer of the objects to improve the adhesion of the first layer to the print bed 108. [0064] In the event that a number of objects are to be printed sequentially or one after the other on the same print bed 108, the zones can be timed to be set at a particular temperature at a particular time, for a specified duration and to cool down at a particular time. For example, the controller 112 may be configured to activate and deactivate each zone of the print bed 108 on which an object is to be printed at a predetermined time. [0065] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (20)

1. A build platform for a three dimensional printer, the build platform comprising: a framework; a plurality of heat conducting plates supported by the framework to form a print bed, wherein neighbouring conducting plates are spaced apart from each other; and a plurality of heating elements, wherein each of the plurality of heat conducting plates is coupled to at least one heating element; wherein the print bed defines a plurality of zones, each zone being associated with at least one of the plurality of conducting plates and at least one of the plurality of heating elements; wherein each zone is capable of being selectively heated independently of other zones of the plurality of zones.

2. The build platform of claim 1, wherein the framework is a grid structure and the plurality of heat conducting plates are arranged in rows and columns on the framework.

3. The build platform of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat conducting plates are coupled to the framework by non heat conducting bearings.

4. The build platform of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating elements comprise resistive heating pads.

5. The build platform of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a build surface disposed on the print bed, the build surface comprising a heat conductive material.

6. The build platform of claim 5, wherein the build surface comprises at least one of metal, ceramic and glass.

7. The build platform of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a plurality of temperature sensors, and wherein at least one of the plurality of temperature sensors is associated with a respective zone.

8. The build platform of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of temperature sensors is configured to transmit data indicative of a sensed temperature to a controller. 15

9. The build platform of any one of the preceding claims wherein the plurality of heating elements are each arranged to be independently connected to a power supply and are arranged to receive power from the power supply under the control of a controller.

10. A control system comprising: a build platform of claim 1; a controller for selectively controlling the temperature of the zones of the print bed; and a power supply coupled to the controller and coupled to each of the plurality of heating elements of the build platform; wherein the controller is configured to control the supply of power from the power supply to at least one of the plurality of heating elements of at least one selected zone of the plurality of zones independently of other zones of the plurality of zones to control the temperature of the at least one selected zone.

11. The control system of claim 10, wherein the control system further comprises a user interface and the controller is configured to control the supply of power to the selected zone in response to receiving an input from a user using the user interface.

12. The control system of claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the control system is configured to communicate with a processor executing a printing program for printing an object on the print bed of the build platform and the controller is configured to control the supply of power to the selected zone in response to receiving an input from the processor.

13. The control system of claim 11 or 12, wherein the input comprises an indication of the at least one selected zone and a set temperature for the at least one selected zone.

14. The control system of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to retrieve from a memory an indication of the at least one selected zone and a set temperature for the at least one selected zone.

15. The control system of claim 13 or 14, wherein the build platform further comprises a plurality of temperature sensors, wherein at least one of the plurality of temperature sensors is associated with a respective zone and each of the plurality of temperature sensors is configured to transmit data indicative of a sensed temperature to the controller. 16 15. The control system of claim 14, wherein the controller is configured to regulate the temperature of the at least one selected zone by comparing a sensed temperature of the at least one selected zone with the set temperature and adjusting the temperature of the at least one of the plurality of heating elements of at least one selected zone until the sensed temperature is substantially equal to the set temperature.

16. A computer implemented method of controlling the temperature of zones of a print bed of a build platform, the method implementable by a control system comprising a controller, a power supply and the build platform of claim 1, the method comprising: transmitting, from the controller to the power supply, a control signal to control the supply of power from the power supply to at least one of the plurality of heating elements of at least one selected zone of the plurality of zones independently of other zones of the plurality of zones to control the temperature of the at least one selected zone; receiving, by the power supply, the control signal; and supplying, by the power supply, power to the at least one of the plurality of heating elements of at least one selected zone of the plurality of zones in accordance with the control signal.

17. The computer implemented method of claim 16, wherein transmitting the control signal comprises transmitting the control signal in response to receiving an input signal from at least one of a user interface and a processor executing a printing program for printing an object on the print bed of the build platform.

18. The computer implemented method of claim 17, wherein the input comprises an indication of the at least one selected zone and a set temperature for the at least one selected zone.

19. The control system of claim 10, further comprising retrieving, by the controller from a memory, an indication of the at least one selected zone and a set temperature for the at least one selected zone.

20. The computer implemented method of any one of claims 18 or 19, further comprising: 17 receiving, by the controller, data indicative of a sensed temperature from at least one of a plurality of temperature sensors associated with the at least one selected zone; comparing, by the controller, the sensed temperature with the set temperature; and determining, by the controller, the control signal based on the comparison to cause the power supply to adjust the power supplied to the at least one of the plurality of heating elements until the sensed temperature is substantially equal to the set temperature.