Advantages and uses of 4d printing

1. 4D PRINTING
It is a unique research collaboration
between Stratasys Education,R&D departmentsand MIT’S
Self-AssemblyLab, a new process is being developed,
known as 4D PRINTING.
A 4D printed object, is printed just like
any 3D printed shape.The difference is that the 4D
Printing technology uses programmablematerials
which perform a different functionality by adding water,
light or heat.
ADVANTAGES OF 4D PRINTING:
The most obvious advantageof
4D printing is that through computational folding, objects
larger than 3D printers can be printed as only one part.
Since the 4D printed objects can change shape,can shrink
and unfold, objects that are too large to fit a 3D printer
can be compressedfor 3D printing into their secondary
form.
POTENTIAL APPICATIONS OF 4D PRINTING:

2. One potential application of 4D
Printing in the real world, since 3D printing a furniture is
limited by the size of the printer, 4D could allow to just
print a flat board that will curl up into a chair by just
adding water or light to it.
4D Printing would be even more useful in big
scale projects.For example, in extreme environments,
such as space.In space, currently the 3D process of
building causes some issues related to cost,efficieny and
energy comsuotion.so, instead of using 3D printed
materials,4D printed materials could be used to take
advantageof their transformable shape.They could
provide the solution to build bridges,shelters or any kind
of installations, as they would build up themselves or
repair themselves in case of weather damage.4D Printing
being applied to a very small scale, in sectors such as
medical one.
BB