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4D Printing: A Methodical Approach to Product Development Using Smart Materials

Authors :
Stefan Junk
Henning Einloth
Dirk Velten
Source :
Machines, Vol 11, Iss 11, p 1035 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2023.

Abstract

In 4D printing, an additively manufactured component is given the ability to change its shape or function in an intended and useful manner over time. The technology of 4D printing is still in an early stage of development. Nevertheless, interesting research and initial applications exist in the literature. In this work, a novel methodical approach is presented that helps transfer existing 4D printing research results and knowledge into solving application tasks systematically. Moreover, two different smart materials are analyzed, used, and combined following the presented methodical approach to solving the given task in the form of recovering an object from a poorly accessible space. This is implemented by self-positioning, grabbing, and extracting the target object. The first smart material used to realize these tasks is a shape-memory polymer, while the second is a polymer-based magnetic composite. In addition to the presentation and detailed implementation of the methodical approach, the potentials and behavior of the two smart materials are further examined and narrowed down as a result of the investigation. The results show that the developed methodical approach contributes to moving 4D printing closer toward a viable alternative to existing technologies due to its problem-oriented nature.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20751702
Volume :
11
Issue :
11
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Machines
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.61a31554a29140fab7174e8aa0e8c266
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/machines11111035