DESIGN AND PRINTING OF ORIGAMI STRUCTURES WITH FUSED DEPOSITION MODELING

Abstract

Abstract— This paper introduces origami folding techniques to evolve from flat material to the additive manufactured application deployed state. The study aims to design various origami structures from different folding techniques, understand their underlying mechanisms, create physical models and simulations to demonstrate and compare their folding feasibility. Mountain and valley folds, and origami shapes, among other folding techniques have been identified. All this concept was applied in the design of the origami structure. To determine the structural abilities of the origami structure on folding, seven origami ideas were developed. The model was developed using CAD tools (SolidWorks, Oripa, and Origami Simulator). Three analyses on three folding ideas have demonstrated the outcomes of design deformation using strain analysis. The analysis revealed that the change in the strain at the fold has a safe value for. The difference in strain values between the valley and mountain folds on folds with holes (maximum strain is 7.917E -03, maximum strain when folding occurs is 5.9387E -03) is lower than on folds without holes (maximum strain is 5.957E -03, maximum strain when folding occurs is 5.957E -03), proving that folds with holes in the centre point are stronger and safer. Lastly, an open source FDM 3D printer was used to print and validate the origami structure's viability on PETG materials. The result demonstrates that the PETG materials were able to print a variety of foldable origami design and can withstand folding many times without fracture.