4D printing is something highly creative and fascinating. For many, it might sound even mind-boggling! There were times when you wouldn’t have imagined that even 3D printing would be possible. But now, we are talking about another major milestone in the printing arena – 4D-printed objects! 4D printing is pretty similar to 3D printing, but the only difference is the use of “smart material” in the former. In this blog, let’s discuss what 4D printing is and how it is said to be the future.
It is a process in which a 3D-printed object is programmed to change over time using an external stimulus, such as heat, light, or moisture. 4D printing also makes use of commercial 3D printers, many of which are polyjet 3D printers. The procedure involves the use of “smart materials,” like shape memory polymers and hydrogels. They both possess unique characteristics. For example, hydrogel is capable of responding to moisture, whereas shape memory polymer can easily return to its original state even after deformation.
The number of these smart or responsive materials is limited, but there will be more in the future as research on 4-dimensional printing progresses further. We can say that this type of printing is compatible with any 3D printer as long as it handles the smart materials required for a specific 4D design.
It works by allowing an object to bend, assemble, or repair itself. Through 4D printing, the object gets the ability to transform into a different shape or functionality. In a nutshell, 4-dimensional printing involves the use of “intelligent designs” that can alter over time depending on external conditions. The attribute of shape change is what differentiates 3-dimensional printing from 4D printing.
We all know that the three dimensions are length, breadth, and height. So what is the fourth dimension of 4D printing? It is “time!” In other words, the fourth dimension explains the impact of time on the article that is printed.
The forefather of this type of printing is said to be Skylar Tibbits, a computer scientist. In 2013, he worked with his friends at MIT to develop the first 4-dimensional-printed object. Through a procedure called, “self-assembly,” they manufactured a simple cube using shape memory polymer. This object possessed the ability to transform its original shape when immersed in water.
The process involves 4 major stages. Let’s look at them in detail!
This stage involves arriving at the design of the printed article, just as in 3-dimensional printing. It is usually designed using CAD (Computer Aided Design). So at the end of this phase, you will have the overall shape of the article ready.
Choosing the appropriate smart material is of paramount importance. It can be a shape memory polymer, hydrogel, or renewable soybean oil. On the whole, it has to be a material that can alter its characteristics in response to an external stimulus.
In this stage, the article is printed by adding one layer of smart material to another. This layering process, also known as “additive manufacturing,” continues until the final shape of the object is obtained.
The printed object is now subjected to the external stimulus. By doing this, the object undergoes the programmed transformation until it is converted into the desired shape.
Have you heard of pine cones? If you have, you will know that they are covered with woody scales. A pine cone is a natural and excellent example of a 4D structure! The underside of every scale in a pine cone is formed by thick-walled cells. When these cells get wet, they become longer, and when they are dry, they become shorter. Thus, the states of the cells vary, depending on the external conditions, which is exactly what happens in 4-dimensional printing!
Let’s look at some of the advantages of this type of printing!
Even though 4D printing comes with lots of benefits, it has its drawbacks too! Let’s take a sneak peek at some of them.
There is a huge demand for flexible objects in many fields, and 4D printing can be used to manufacture such things. Examples of such items include the following:
4D printing is surely a state-of-the-art, cutting-edge technology that has a lot of scope shortly. Research shows that this type of printing can be used in the following applications pretty soon!
As stated earlier, a lot more research needs to be done in the area of 4-dimensional printing. But this technology is going to be big shortly. We hope this blog has been helpful to you in knowing the basics of the 4D printing world! Refresh your memory on the facts we’ve discussed by answering the Quiz on this page!
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