COMPOSITE ORIGAMI: FOLDABLE STRUCTURES BASED ON TACHI-MIURA-POLYHEDRON ORIGAMI TECHNIQUE

摘要

The goal of this paper is to prove the possibility to design and manufacture novel types of foldable – yet stiff – structures based on the Tachi-Miura-Polyhedron (TMP) origami. This type of origami has received significant attention from the scientific and engineering community due to its unique features such as rigid foldability, high compactness, and tunable stiffness. The kinematics of this TMP structure will be investigated in order to achieve extraordinary mechanical properties in terms of robust deployability. Several prototypes have been tested with hinges made out of both dry and wet fibers, using glass, carbon, and Kevlar materials. While the fabrication process has not been optimized yet, the progress made so far clearly shows that foldable structures are attainable.