CP3401/CP5636 Emerging Technologies: 4D Printing Analysis

This presentation provides an overview of 4D printing technology, defining it as an extension of 3D printing with the added dimension of transformation over time. It details the technology's potential applications in various sectors, including solar cells, drug capsules, automotive, and aviation industries. The presentation identifies the target audience for 4D printing, including market manufacturers, raw material suppliers, research consultants, and government agencies. It also assesses the maturity of 4D printing according to the Gartner Hype Cycle, placing it in the introductory phase with an expectation of over 10 years to reach peak hype. Furthermore, it highlights industrial interest from companies like Airbus and potential applications in the medical sector for drug delivery devices. Desklib offers a wealth of study resources, including past papers and solved assignments to support students in their academic endeavors.

E strategic and managemen
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:

4D printing is an
emerging technology
that helps to change the
3D printed object into
a structure. The 4D
printed technology is
the part of a project
conducted by the MIT
Self-assembly Lab (Pei,
2014).
4D printing technology

What is 4D printing?
4 dimensional printing is the process or techniques
which uses the same technology of the 3D printing. The
process starts with a computer-programmed software
that deposits materials layer be layer to produce a 3D
structure. However, the 4D printing technology adds an
extra dimension of transformation over time.

Application of 4D printing:
The application of the 4D printing technology are:
• It can be used to make solar cells.
• It can helps in making drug capsules.
• It can help the super car industries to make faster cars.
• It will help the aviation industry in making lighter and simpler
aero plane motors and hydraulic actuators.

4D printing target audience:
4D printing technology will provide many benefits in the industrial sectors.
The target audience of the 4D printing technology will be:
• Market manufacturers
• Supplier of Raw materials
•Research consultants
• Distributors and traders
• Regional and government agencies
•Invent research firms

Gartner Hype cycle
maturity:
According to the Gartner Hype cycle 4D printing
technology is in the introductory phase in the product life
cycle (Lajoie & Bridges, 2014). According to the Gartner
life cycle the product will take more than 10 years to
reach to the peak in the hype cycle.

Industrial usage:
 Airbus is interested in this technology as they think that this
technology can help them to build lighter and simpler motors
(Bil & Holpp, 2015).
 It can be used in the medical sectors as well. Fang suggested that
technology can help them to build a drug delivery device, which
will release medicine only when the patients is affected by any
flu or disease.

Reference list:
Pei, E. (2014). 4D Printing: dawn of an emerging technology
cycle. Assembly Automation, 34(4), 310-314.
Bil, R., & Holpp, W. (2015, June). Naval radar trends: A look
back-a look forward. In Radar Symposium (IRS), 2015 16th
International (pp. 13-19). IEEE.
Lajoie, E. W., & Bridges, L. (2014). Innovation decisions: using
the gartner hype cycle. Library Leadership & Management, 28(4).