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A study of 4D printing and functionally graded additive manufacturing

Eujin Pei (Department of Design, Brunel University, London, UK)
Giselle Hsiang Loh (Department of Design, Brunel University, London, UK)
David Harrison (Department of Design, Brunel University, London, UK)
Henrique de Amorim Almeida (Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal)
Mario Domingo Monzón Verona (Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain)
Rubén Paz (Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain)

Assembly Automation

ISSN: 0144-5154

Publication date: 3 April 2017

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend existing knowledge of 4D printing, in line with Khoo et al. (2015) who defined the production of 4D printing using a single material, and 4D printing of multiple materials. It is proposed that 4D printing can be achieved through the use of functionally graded materials (FGMs) that involve gradational mixing of materials and are produced using an additive manufacturing (AM) technique to achieve a single component.

Design/methodology/approach

The latest state-of-the-art literature was extensively reviewed, covering aspects of materials, processes, computer-aided design (CAD), applications and made recommendations for future work.

Findings

This paper clarifies that functionally graded additive manufacturing (FGAM) is defined as a single AM process that includes the gradational mixing of materials to fabricate freeform geometries with variable properties within one component. The paper also covers aspects of materials, processes, CAD, applications and makes recommendations for future work.

Research limitations/implications

This paper examines the relationship between FGAM and 4D printing and defines FGAM as a single AM process involving gradational mixing of materials to fabricate freeform geometries with variable properties within one component. FGAM requires better computational tools for modelling, simulation and fabrication because current CAD systems are incapable of supporting the FGAM workflow.

Practical implications

It is also identified that other factors, such as strength, type of materials, etc., must be taken into account when selecting an appropriate process for FGAM. More research needs to be conducted on improving the performance of FGAM processes through extensive characterisation of FGMs to generate a comprehensive database and to develop a predictive model for proper process control. It is expected that future work will focus on both material characterisation as well as seamless FGAM control processes.

Originality/value

This paper examines the relationship between FGAM and 4D printing and defines FGAM as a single AM process that includes gradational mixing of materials to fabricate freeform geometries with variable properties within one component.

Keywords

  • Composites
  • Rapid prototyping
  • Rapid manufacturing
  • 3D
  • Smart materials

Acknowledgements

This paper forms part of a special section on Functionally Graded Rapid Prototyping, 4D Printing & Self-Assemblies.

Citation

Pei, E., Loh, G., Harrison, D., Almeida, H., Monzón Verona, M. and Paz, R. (2017), "A study of 4D printing and functionally graded additive manufacturing", Assembly Automation, Vol. 37 No. 2, pp. 147-153. https://doi.org/10.1108/AA-01-2017-012

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

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