Abstract

Origami, the art of folding paper, was once only an art form. In recent years, it has collided with the world of engineering and is acting as a source of inspiration for solutions to various engineering problems. Paper, the typical material used in the art form, is thin and works well for origami, but is not often suitable for use in engineering. Researchers have developed a handful of methods for accommodating thick/rigid materials in origami design. Most of these preserve only the kinematics of the model or its range of motion. Not only does the offset panel technique (OPT) preserve both the kinematics and the range of motion, it also allows for flexibility in design. This work focuses on the further development of the OPT and its potential to be implemented in real-world applications. The OPT provides design flexibility by allowing for the use of various and multiple materials, the modification of panel geometry, and the utilization of any rigid-foldable origami pattern. These and other capabilities are demonstrated in several application examples.

Degree

College and Department

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology; Mechanical Engineering

Rights

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