Digital fabrication by multimaterials additive manufacturing and 4D-Printing

Printing in a new dimension

Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, opens up completely new possibilities for the design and manufacture of multifunctional material systems. This digital technology overcomes the limitations of conventional manufacturing. Production takes place directly from the computer without the need for mould making, shortening the path from concept to product. Efficient 3D printing processes increase resource and energy efficiency. Different materials and material types can be combined in 3D printing and given functionalities. In contrast to conventional multi-stage processes, multifunctional material systems are realised in just one 3D printing step. The wide range of applications extends from personalised design and sustainable lightweight construction to new generations of programmable and adaptive material systems.