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Author Topic: Think 3D printing is cool? Try 4D printing  (Read 3445 times)

grnidone

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Think 3D printing is cool? Try 4D printing
« on: April 13, 2013, 11:12:06 PM »
Apparently, they are trying to create objects that, when given an outside stimulus, will change into something else.  So, you could print a coffee cup, and when hot coffee is poured into it, the cup would expand to prevent your hand from burning.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/10/tech/innovation/orig-ideas-4-d-printing/index.html
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edo

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Re: Think 3D printing is cool? Try 4D printing
« Reply #1 on: April 14, 2013, 09:40:25 PM »
That is pretty damn cool. Thanks.
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skert

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Re: Think 3D printing is cool? Try 4D printing
« Reply #2 on: May 15, 2013, 03:57:49 AM »
I didn't understand why this printer is called 4D? it is just 3D...Am I wrong?
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edo

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Re: Think 3D printing is cool? Try 4D printing
« Reply #3 on: May 15, 2013, 08:45:53 AM »
The objects that are printed are 3D, but because the objects change shape according to outside stimuli you are presumably adding another dimension making it 4D. That's my guess anyway. A bit like space-time being the fourth dimension in the universe. That or 4D printing is just a cool name made up by some marketing bod. If so, it worked on me!
« Last Edit: May 15, 2013, 08:47:59 AM by edo »
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