We propose Inkjet 4D Print, a self-folding fabrication method of 3D origami tessellations by printing 2D patterns on both sides of a heat-shrinkable base sheet, using a commercialized inkjet ultraviolet (UV) printer. Compared to the previous folding-based 4D printing approach using fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printers [An et al., Thermorph, CHI2018], our method has merits in (1) more than 1200 times higher resolution in terms of the number of self-foldable facets, (2) 2.8 times faster printing speed, and (3) optional full- color decoration. This paper describes the material selection, the folding mechanism, the heating condition, and the printing patterns to self-fold both known and freeform tessellations. We also evaluated the self-folding resolution, the printing and transformation speed, and the shape accuracy of our method. Finally, we demonstrated applications enabled by our self-foldable tessellated objects.
Publication
Press Release
東京大学 (in Japanese)
折紙シートが自動で望みの立体に ―インクジェットプリンタでパターンを印刷、加熱により自動変形―
UTokyo Focus (in English)
A whole new dimension for 3D printing: Self-folding origami sheets create 3D shapes quickly, cheaply and efficiently