3D printing is poised to transform the world as we know it. Consumer goods will be personalised and produced on demand, while manufacturers will be able to use 3D printing to come up with radical new designs for everyday objects.
This led to the exploration of a diverse range of ideas and concepts with innovative potential — one of these was additive manufacturing. In the early 1980s, Dr. Hideo Kodama, an inventor, took the knowledge from 3D scanning and the layering pattern from 3D topographical maps, to create the prototyping machine.
They include: artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), blockchain, drones, Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, 3D printing and virtual reality (VR). Today, the Essential Eight continue to evolve and make their mark — with the pandemic accelerating emerging tech adoption.
4D printing refers to single-material or multi-material printing of a device or object that can be transformed from a 1D strand into pre-programed 3D shape, from a 2D surface into preprogramed 3D shape and is capable of morphing between different dimensions.
Over the last few years, the industry has been working towards closing the existing gap but there is still room for improvement. In 2021, the progress will continue, with software companies large and small focusing on software solutions to meet the requirements of additive technologies.
Medical & Pharmaceutical. Additive manufacturing has revolutionized the medical industry, turning what was once science fiction into a new reality. The technology is delivering breakthroughs to doctors, patients, and research institutions.
Additive manufacturing (AM) technology is a new digital manufacturing technology that integrates machinery, computer, numerical control, and materials in the global advanced manufacturing field in the past 30 years.
Additive manufacturing processes build objects by adding material layer by layer, while subtractive manufacturing removes material to create parts.
High-resolution DMLS builds at a layer thickness of 0.03mm and can produce quite accurate parts, with tolerances to 0.1mm, and surface finishes similar to that of a sand casting.
Benefits of 4D printing include: increased capabilities of the printed products; new applications from adaptive materials; added manufacturing efficiency; and, reduced manufacturing cost and carbon footprint.