Case Study: Victoria University of Wellington achieves lifelike 4D 3D printing for research with Stratasys PolyJet Research Package

Victoria University of Wellington brings 4D 3D printing to life with Stratasys

Victoria University of Wellington's MADE program, which educates students in additive manufacturing, sought to advance its research into creating highly detailed, dynamic 3D prints. Their challenge was to move beyond static prototypes and produce objects with intricate, functional internal channels that could mimic living systems, a capability beyond the reach of standard 3D printing technologies. They utilized Stratasys' PolyJet Research Package and a J850 Prime 3D printer to achieve this.

The solution from Stratasys was the Liquid Print feature within its PolyJet Research Package, which enabled the printing of liquid materials inside soft parts and rigid photopolymer resin. This allowed researchers to create the "Polyphytes," 4D-printed objects with clear, free-flowing internal channels that perform like vascular systems in plants. The result was the ability to produce life-like, dynamic prototypes with intricate details and vivid colors that were previously unattainable, fundamentally advancing the university's research and design capabilities.

Victoria University of Wellington