Rigid Origami Shelter Project Proposal

6.849: GEOMETRIC FOLDING ALGORITHMS, SPRING 2017 Noa Machover, Lia Coleman, and George Pantazis

Final Project Proposal

IDEA

We are hoping to do a build/design project. Specifically, we are interested in making a shelter that is transportable and can be easily assembled. We are also interested in the idea of an umbrella that can be folded into the smallest package possible. They’re both related ideas-- we are interested in making structures that are both structurally sound and collapsable.

METHODS

Many of the structures presented above can be thought of as rigid origami - flat panels connected by hinges. For designs that can be thought of like this, Tomohiro Tachi’s “Rigid Origami Simulator” (http://www.tsg.ne.jp/TT/software/) can prove an invaluable tool for simulating designs for their feasibility. We then plan to use multiple methods of fabricating folded structures such as laser cutting and screen printing, depending on the necessary materials we will use (cloth, metal, plastic).

BACKGROUND

Steamer Basket. Axis of folding for each leaf is radially inward (note hinge along perimeter) but sliding motion and angled shape allows for compact and flat foldability.

Hwang Kim, Urban Homeless Cocoon Unfoldable, but not necessarily flat foldable (or if flat foldable not necessarily compactly so in the unfolded state)

Miura Foldings. Image: Tom Hull. Many deployable satellite space antennas and solar panel arrays are deployed using Miura folds. It is perhaps the most widely used canonical rigid origami deployable structure used in engineering.

Although "banal" it shows great compacting and is easy to fold and deploys using a single linear actuator. We could look at it for inspiration for individual panels of the shelter if we can't make it out of just one flat structure.

MILESTONES

Presented below are a list of milestones for each of the two mini-projects. Stated briefly the first milestone will be a collection of experiments on paper along with background research including collecting more examples and studying them. From these we steadily progress towards the desired goal of a functional true-scale product. Throughout the process we resolve to catalog all steps including sourcing examples and fabrication and simulation methods, so that they function as an assembly guide. Thus any incomplete milestones could be continued after class or by others or if none exist a viable product and manufacturing process can be presented.

For the quickly-assembled shelter: 1. Design the pattern on paper. This part will be the bulk of the work, and will require background research, and prototyping from paper.

2. Establish method: building larger structure from modules, or one continuous structure 3. 3D model the proposed structure and work to figure out whether it is feasible to build 4. Small scale model: fold out of paper/prototype 5. Larger scale model: fold out of cardboard, metal, weather resistant (tent/parka) material, shrink wrap, etc.

Marc Fornes & THEVERYMANY, Outdoor Amphitheatre, Merriweather Park, Columbia, MD, Opening Spring 2017 Not flat foldable, but very impressive in complexity, scale, and design standards.

For the tiny umbrella: 1. Deconstruct an umbrella and study it. This may involve modifying the umbrella (cutting the rod, etc.)

2. Design and prototype out of paper and cardboard.

3. 3D model / formally sketch up our plans.

4. Fabricate. Figure out what materials and resources we’ll need access to-- sheet metal, rods, power tools-and get access to them.

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS

Cardborigami. Semi flat foldable, easy to assemble (has one degree of freedom deployment)

EXTENSIONS OF IDEA

- We can scale up in complexity or size. Perhaps look at mechanized deployment of the structures rather than manual.

- We can also introduce more complicated materials such as metal or thickened panels which would require tapering.

- We could also introduce curves to the structure.

- We can also introduce the limitation of flat foldability of the structure.

We are hoping for some advice about the kinds of materials that may be best to accomplish this and what would be feasible budget- and fabrication-wise. At first glance, materials like paper have good compliance when it comes to creasing them unlike polyamide based materials/cloth that don’t hold creases well.

Especially for creating waterproof structures, the vertices will be of concern due to the fact that most common building techniques rely on material along edges leaving holes in vertices. Care needs to be taken to understand interlocking mechanisms. We are also looking for guidance about what scale of the project (house, tent, dog house, doll house, etc.) would make sense to attempt.