Increasing dimension of structures by 4D printing shape memory polymers via fused deposition modeling

The main objective of this paper is to introduce a 4D printing method to program shape memory polymers (SMPs) during fabrication process. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) as a filament-based printing method is employed to program SMPs during depositing the material. This method is implemented to fabricate complicated polymeric structures by self-bending features without need of any post-programming. Experiments are conducted to demonstrate feasibility of one-dimensional (1D)-to 2D and 2D-to-3D self-bending. It is shown that 3D printed plate structures can transform into masonry-inspired 3D curved shell structures by simply heating. Good reliability of SMP programming during printing process is also demonstrated. A 3D macroscopic constitutive model is established to simulate thermo-mechanical features of the printed SMPs. Governing equations are also derived to simulate programming mechanism during printing process and shape change of self-bending structures. In this respect, a finite element formulation is developed considering von-Karman geometric nonlinearity and solved by implementing iterative Newton–Raphson scheme. The accuracy of the computational approach is checked with experimental results. It is demonstrated that the theoretical model is able to replicate the main characteristics observed in the experiments. This research is likely to advance the state of the art FDM 4D printing, and provide pertinent results and computational tool that are instrumental in design of smart materials and structures with self-bending features.

[1]  Yang Yang,et al.  3D printing of shape memory polymer for functional part fabrication , 2016 .

[2]  TibbitsSkylar,et al.  3D-Printed Wood: Programming Hygroscopic Material Transformations , 2015 .

[3]  Chao Yuan,et al.  Multi-shape active composites by 3D printing of digital shape memory polymers , 2016, Scientific Reports.

[4]  J. Reddy.  An introduction to nonlinear finite element analysis , 2004 .

[5]  Elisabetta A. Matsumoto,et al.  Biomimetic 4D printing. , 2016, Nature materials.

[6]  Ramesh Raskar,et al.  Active Printed Materials for Complex Self-Evolving Deformations , 2014, Scientific Reports.

[7]  R. Young,et al.  Introduction to Polymers , 1983 .

[8]  Ian Gibson,et al.  Additive manufacturing technologies : 3D printing, rapid prototyping, and direct digital manufacturing , 2015 .

[9]  IanakievAnton,et al.  4D Printing Inflatable Silicone Structures , 2015 .

[10]  Son Thai Ly,et al.  4D printing – fused deposition modeling printing with thermal-responsive shape memory polymers , 2017 .

[11]  Charlie C. L. Wang,et al.  Four-Dimensional Printing for Freeform Surfaces: Design Optimization of Origami and Kirigami Structures , 2015 .

[12]  Skylar Tibbits,et al.  4D Printing: Multi‐Material Shape Change , 2014 .

[13]  Martin L. Dunn,et al.  Active origami by 4D printing , 2014 .

[14]  Yang Yang,et al.  3D printing of variable stiffness hyper-redundant robotic arm , 2016, 2016 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA).

[15]  ChoiJin,et al.  4D Printing Technology: A Review , 2015 .

[16]  Yong Chen,et al.  Three-dimensional circuit fabrication using four-dimensional printing and direct ink writing , 2016, 2016 International Symposium on Flexible Automation (ISFA).

[17]  Tae Jin Kang,et al.  Thermo-mechanical constitutive modeling of shape memory polyurethanes using a phenomenological approach , 2010 .

[18]  Martin L. Dunn,et al.  Sequential Self-Folding Structures by 3D Printed Digital Shape Memory Polymers , 2015, Scientific Reports.

[19]  Wei-Hsin Liao,et al.  Self-expanding/shrinking structures by 4D printing , 2016 .

[20]  Chao Yuan,et al.  3D Printed Reversible Shape Changing Components with Stimuli Responsive Materials , 2016, Scientific Reports.

[21]  Quan Zhang,et al.  Smart three-dimensional lightweight structure triggered from a thin composite sheet via 3D printing technique , 2016, Scientific Reports.