Expected future developments - Long term

-

By using 4D printing, the production method can also be examined. For example, a dress has currently been made that can be printed 85% smaller in size using 4D printing and can therefore be made as a whole. However, the material of this dress is not yet very comfortable, but the dress can move smoothly. If this technology is further developed, it will have a major impact on the production industry.

Figure 1: Folded 4D-printed dress

This means that products that can now be made in one go simplify entire processes. For example, there is no longer any need for an assembly step in the process because products are already completely ready for the printing process. This would also ensure that much more can be done based on printers and therefore fewer employees are needed in production processes. In addition, the technology could be used for clothing, shoes and (car) tires, among other things, to adapt the grip or moisture permeability to the environment.

If we look more specifically at the furniture industry, the arrival of 4D printing will ensure that furniture is programmed in such a way that it can assemble itself. This not only saves transport, storage and assembly costs, but also makes the experience for the customer (or employee who builds the furniture) a lot more pleasant. This only has to ensure that the stimulus occurs before the start of the reaction.

If the technology is developed in such a way that a two-way reaction can take place, it will also have an impact on the return process of the production industry. This would make the waste chain much more efficient and therefore more nature-friendly. This means that companies do not have to throw away every delivered product as soon as it is assembled. The question remains whether a company must carry out the reaction itself to get the product back to normal or whether the customer is able to do this.

used sources for this blog