Programming 4D Printed Parts Through Shape-Memory Polymers and Computer-Aided-Design

Abstract

This paper aims to provide an overview about 4D Printing (4DP), the use of Shape Memory Polymers (SMP) and how Computer-Aided Design (CAD) can be applied to programme shapes to perform controlled behaviors of 4DP parts when subject to environmental stimuli, leading to potential applications and outlining future challenges for this emerging field of multi-disciplinary science. One of the main barriers outlined in this work concerns the early stages of Design for 4DP (Df4DP), in which communicating the intent and the shape change behavior is important for designers, engineers and manufacturers.