TAGS: 3D Printing
In this era of industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing, we’re seeing rapid evolutions in technology. Complementing this growth is the innovation in materials, making them smarter by the day.
A good example of this confluence of tech. & material advancements is represented by 4D Printing - an interesting extension to 3D Printing.
At the 4D Printing & Meta Materials conference earlier this year at Brightlands Chemelot Campus in the Netherlands, I was fortunate to meet some bright minds working in this direction.
Before getting to the review of the interesting presentations, let’s try and understand what 4D printing really is.
The popular definition at the conference was:
"4D printing adds the dimension of transformation over time in a 3D printed material"
To see a practical demonstration, I would encourage you to see this video, which features a part of a great presentation given by Hiroya Tanaka from Keio University, Japan.
The step-wise demo carried out in this video by the researchers from Keio University included:
- Material Making
- Two filaments were chosen:
- Filament #1: Temperature-sensitive, shape memory & color-changing filament
- Filament #2: Water-soluble filament
- Pelletization of the water-soluble filament was done
- Pellets were mixed with fish food and new filaments were prepared (Filament #3)
- Designing Nature-responsive Objects
Flower shaped objects were 3D printed using Filament #1
- 3D Printing on a Window
Filament #3 was used to 3D print “flower centers” directly on the window and the “flowers” were attached to it.
- Changes over Seasons
- Spring: the ‘flowers’ blossom on exposure to the sun (temperature change)
- Rainy Day: the ‘flowers’ get detached from the window
- Autumn: the ‘flowers’ flow into the water streams
- Over time, the water-soluble filament gets dissolved and the fish food is released into the water
As seen in the example above,
4D printing helps create smart materials that can be programmed with:
- Folding mechanisms
- Linear actuators
- Bending surface
- Material sensors
And such functions are achieved without the use of traditional electro-mechanical devices and complex systems. This opens up doors to interesting applications like customized products, smart textiles, sensors, stretchable electronics, soft robotics, bionic implants, wearable medical devices and more!
Some of these innovative applications were discussed in details at the conference. Here is a quick tour for you…
4D Shoemaking – Taking personalization to the next level!
One of the biggest highlights at the conference was to get the chance to see first-hand samples of 4D printed shoes and textiles!
©SpecialChem
Niek van Sleeuwen, representing
Perflex – Eindhoven University of Technology, highlighted the problem of pollution caused by extra soles developed that don’t end up being used for shoe production.
Their goal is to create shoes on demand that avoid wastage & offer
advanced customization!
Since these shoes are 3D printed as a single piece,
glue is not used. This improves recyclability and allows for more durability and stiffness.
Niek presenting the shoe designing process at the conference
On asking Niek about the material used, he mentioned that they opted for
FilaFlex TPE as it is easy to print and offers stretchability.
The same material can be used for bras as well!
4D Textiles Exhibit Shape Change and Self-assembly
ITA RWTH Aachen University took inspiration from the
BMW GINA project to 3D print hybrid textiles and fabrics that could change shape and function over time / by use of external stimuli.
The concept behind these hybrid material systems is to store energy in the textile material prior to printing. This energy is then released to affect form and function of the hybrid system. Elastic materials are used due to:
- High elastic strain available
- Sufficient recovery force
At the conference,
David Schmelzeisen presented a couple of concepts that also offer
high level of personalization.
Concept #1 – Bubble: Personalized Sleep Mattress
Credit: ITA RWTH
Concept #2 – Floating Pillow
Credit: ITA RWTH
Concept #3 – Sleeping in Trees
Here the concept is to have a textile membrane over a glass house, which would change from day to night.
4D Printed Shape Memory Polymer with Self-healing Abilities
Shape memory polymers or SMPs are an interesting class of polymers that can return to their original shape / form when an external stimulus is applied such as:
- Heat
- Light
- Pressure
- Temperature
Marta Invernizzi from
Politecnico di Milano chose to work with polycaprolactone (PCL), which was end-capped with methacrylates to be light reactive. PCL provided the
shape memory effect and 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone (UPy) units were used to induce
self-healing behavior.
The chosen 3D printing technique was
Stereolithography (SLA) and layer by layer polymerization was carried out in a Digital Light Projector (DLP) Printer.
She further demonstrated how superficial scratches and bulk damage are repaired in 1 hour. Both shape memory effect and self-healing are triggered by temperature.
Potential applications include:
- Actuator device in soft robotics
- Scaffold and implant – since PCL is both biocompatible and biodegradable
- Smart braces
4D Printing Advances from Japan
And finally, I have come full circle with my review and will end with other key highlights from the presentation given by
Hiroya Tanaka from Keio University.
One of his main focal points was the benefits 3D/4D printing could offer in developing adaptive architectural forms including
earthquake resistant 3D printed wall/block/brick.
Pellet-based Furniture Scale 3D Printer (L); Innovative Architectural Shapes (R)
Credit: Keio University
Prof. Tanaka also showcased a special tool called the
Fabrix™ -
Direct G-Code Editing Tool for Advanced 3D Printing.
He too had brought with him samples for our benefit and it was interesting to see the unique structures he presented!
©SpecialChem
It was a real pleasure attending this conference to see first-hand real-world innovations made possible by the brilliant human mind.
A special thanks to
Tessa ten Cate,
Program Manager Additive Manufacturing - Brightlands Material Center,
Pieter Hermans,
Matchmaker for Innovators -
Jakajima and all the conference organizers for hosting such a great event!
Attending the conference at Brightlands Chemelot Campus organized by Jakajima