8. Offset Panel Technique (OPT

Kinematics Preservation

Kinematics preserved indicates if the kinematics of the base origami model (a zero-thickness model) is preserved with the method. While matching kinematics may not be important for some applications, in many cases it will be essential to achieve the same degrees of freedom, the consistency, or the predictability of a motion identical to the origami model.

Range of Motion (ROM) preserved indicates whether or not the range of motion, from fully folded to fully deployed, is preserved. Many methods do not allow for full range of motion due to clashes of panels/edges. In some applications full motion may not be required, but in many there is a need for the folds to move through the full 180◦.

Offset Panel Technique (OPT

Design Considerations in the Development and Actuation of Origami-Based Mechanisms Eric W. Wilcox (Lang & Morgan, 2016) In rigid origami, panels (facets) can be treated as links and folds as joints. Origami mechanisms can be treated as zero-thickness spherical mechanisms, which are mechanisms whose links and joints all lie in a plane in at least one position and whose links are idealized with zero-thickness. In the offset panel technique, the source model’s panels are shaped and thickened while maintaining the zero-thickness spherical mechanisms’ joint relationships. One of the major advantages of the OPT is that it maintains both the kinematic behavior and the full 180 of motion as demonstrated by Edmondson et al. (2014). The former permits designers to take advantage of the mathematical models already developed while the latter allows for fully opened and closed models. The OPT also allows for flexibility in a design. Since an origami-inspired design is constrained by only the preservation of the location of the axes and self-intersection, attributes such as varied panel thickness, spacing between panels, and selectable joint plane placement are all possible with the OPT. The technique can provide designers with flexibility as it accommodates uniform and varying panel thickness, gaps between panels, and freedom in joint plane placement.

Offset Panel Technique (OPT

In this method, the panels are indexed wrt the joint plane and the direction of the offset depends on the folding axis. Below are the offset directions that are used with correspondent panel cobination. m

1

n 0 -n -1 -m

(Lang & Morgan, 2016)

Offset Panel Technique (OPT

The key concept of the technique is that in the fully folded state, all joints lie in a common plane even if one or both panels incident to any joint are spatially offset from that plane, which we refer to as the joint plane. This requirement allows the thick origami mechanism’s behavior to be kinematically equivalent to the zero-thickness origami source model. In the past, architects have used origami to induce motion in kinetic systems. Several techniques have been developed to accommodate thick materials shown in figure below. Each method has its own strength and weakness. (Lang & Morgan, 2016) The process involves the engineering of fold. In the pasr it was made possible through the use of less advanced thickness accommodation methods. These methods could be used on Single, coupled and linear chains but Network Loop patterns are very complex (with multiple stacks) to test for thick materials. But OPT allows user to test any pattern without compromise in its folding motion.

Design Considerations in the Development and Actuation of Origami-Based Mechanisms Eric W. Wilcox (Lang & Morgan, 2016)

Offset Panel Technique (OPT

Until now the OPT method was not explored by engineers and hence was not easy to use and understand by architects. But in recent years, Compliant Mechanisms Research Dept. in Brigham Young University has extensively worked on these methods of thickness accommodation and has made it easy for architects and designers to use it in structures. The technique is very exclusive, and only some applications can be fit for it. The advantages of OPT i.e. Single DOF, unfolds flat, Kinematics preservation, Range of motion-preservation and Panel geometry are considered for application in architecture. In this research, the OPT is tested to include volumes and applications towards kinetic architecture.

Design Considerations in the Development and Actuation of Origami-Based Mechanisms Eric W. Wilcox (Lang & Morgan, 2016)