Researchers from Singapore have investigated the durability of 4D printed structures. 4D printing, opposed to 3D, is a term that relates to objects that can adapt over time once they have been 3D printed. The structures rely on shape memory polymers which are able to transform into a certain shape.
3D打印行业最近报告了4D印刷结构的潜力也与新加坡单独研究。In this case, researchers showcased the simplicity of fabrication and the application of 4D printed objects.
However, in a new study stemming from Nanyang, researchers evaluate the performance of these structures since, as they explain, “hIgh形状的固定性，形状恢复和长时间的形状记忆周期寿命是4D印刷零件的理想方面；但是，很少研究4D打印零件的耐用性。”
4D打印过程
为了测试4D打印零件的生存能力，组通过使用DWS SLA 3D打印机打印Bucky Ball形结构来测试该过程。
要首先进行4D打印，最重要的是，团队必须创建一个特殊配制的树脂。SLA机器中常用的树脂“are highly crosslinked thermoset polymers,”which means that the parts produced are typically quite stiff and without desire properties for shape memory effect (SME).
为了在SLA打印的部分中创建中小型企业，单个无定形树脂的配方是由“双组件”组成的方式，即单体和一个交叉链接器。
The fourth dimension
Following a number of different tests, the researchers were able to successfully create a resin that had different properties depending on the temperature of the environment it was exposed to. In addition, the group also demonstrated how different resins could affect the performance of the 4D objects. The team were thereby able to create a 4D printed spherical bucky ball which could be manually deformed to lie flat before then retaking shape when submerged in warm water.
结果对象的表现非常出色，研究人员将4D印刷的Bucky Ball描述为
证明了22个周期的出色耐用性，以显示其长时间的形状记忆周期寿命。
4D打印的潜力
这项研究可能会影响4D打印作为可行的制造技术的应用。4D打印具有强大的自我组装物体的能力，对建筑或自组装平板家具特别感兴趣。
在世界其他地方，麻省理工学院的研究人员一直在通过其自组装实验室探索4D打印的应用。实验室最近有unveiled a new 3D printing method coined ‘rapid liquid’ printing。麻省理工学院的同样探索光的使用适应3D打印对象后印刷。
该论文的标题为“使用立体光刻的高性能形状记忆聚合物的4D打印”，已在‘Materials & Design’ journal。这项研究是由Yu Ying Clarrisa Choonga，Saeed Maleksaeedib，Hengky Engb，Jun Weib和新加坡3D印刷中心的Pei-Chen Sua，Nanyang Technological University and Simpapore Institution of Singlesostic of Singlospace Engineering，Simpapore Institution of Singlesospace工程学院。
别忘了vote in next month’s 3D Printing Industry Awards。
For the latest news on 3D printing research,订阅我们的新闻and在推特上关注我们andFacebook。
特色图片显示了爱丁堡大学学生创建的“ 4D Buckyball”。通过Graeme Taylor的照片。
