Origami of thick panels

Origami patterns, including the rigid origami patterns in which flat inflexible sheets are joined by creases, are primarily created for zero-thickness sheets. In order to apply them to fold structures such as roofs, solar panels, and space mirrors, for which thickness cannot be disregarded, various methods have been suggested. However, they generally involve adding materials to or offsetting panels away from the idealized sheet without altering the kinematic model used to simulate folding. We develop a comprehensive kinematic synthesis for rigid origami of thick panels that differs from the existing kinematic model but is capable of reproducing motions identical to that of zero-thickness origami. The approach,…

• RA
  Royal Academy of Engineering

  Award: 1314RECI061
• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 51422506, 51290293
• AF
  Air Force Office of Scientific Research

  Award: 134028