4D printing of wooden actuators: encoding FDM wooden filaments for architectural responsive skins

Abstract

PurposeConventional motion mechanisms in adaptive skins require rigid kinematic mechanical systems that require sensors and actuation devices, hence impeding the adoption of zero-energy buildings. This paper aims to exploit wooden responsive actuators as a passive approach for adaptive facades with dynamic shading configurations. Wooden passive actuators are introduced as a passive responsive mechanism with zero-energy consumption.Design/methodology/approachThe study encodes the embedded hygroscopic parameters of wood through 4D printing of wooden composites as a responsive wooden actuator. Several physical experiments focus on controlling the printed hygroscopic parameters based on the effect of 3D printing grain patterns and infill height on the wooden angle of curvature when exposed to variation in humidity. The printed hygroscopic parameters are applied on two types of wooden actuators with difference in the saturation percentage of wood in the wooden filaments specifically 20% and 40% for more control on the angle of curvature and response behavior.FindingsThe study presents the ability to print wooden grain patterns that result in single and double curved surfaces. Also, printing actuators with variation in infill height control each part of wooden actuator to response separately in a controlled passive behavior. The results show a passive programmed self-actuated mechanism that can enhance responsive façade design with zero-energy consumption through utilizing both material science and additive manufacturing mechanisms.Originality/valueThe study presents a set of controlled printed hygroscopic parameters that stretch the limits in controlling the response of printed wood to humidity instead of the typical natural properties of wood.

Human–Material Interaction Enabled by Fused Filament Fabrication 4D Printing

“…[165,172] The promising results of this study present new opportunities for leveraging 4DP and natural resources to develop functional humidity-responsive smart structures. [173] By overcoming material limitations through the codesign approach and incorporating cellulose-filled filaments, these structures showcase their potential for practical applications as end-user products. [174] It is now feasible to make wooden smart pots and plates in the convenience of your own home using the cutting-edge 4DP method.…”

Flexible and Lightweight Solutions for Energy Improvement in Construction: A Literature Review

“…This section reports the statistics associated with 11 published papers on complex envelope designs based on flexible and lightweight materials, systems, and design [78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88]. For this review, no relevant documents were found published from 2016 to 2018.…”

Use of Wood in Additive Manufacturing: Review and Future Prospects

“…The advantage of 4D printing is the ability to encode the embedded parameters through the printing process of wooden responsive actuators as accurate, programmed motion mechanisms. When focusing specifically on wood grain orientation, the printing process controls grain orientation and enable the production of a variety of motion types with single- and double-curved surfaces when exposed to differences in humidity levels [ 77 ].…”