3D printed multi-material polylactic acid (PLA) origami-inspired structures for quasi-static and impact applications

Abstract

Origami patterns can be used to inspire the designs of structural materials with beneficial properties, such as low strength-to-weight ratios. This study explores the design, manufacturing, and mechanical properties of three different origami-inspired shapes, as well as three different material combinations for each shape, through dynamic impact testing and quasi-static compression testing. The commonly studied Miura origami pattern will be compared to two uncommon patterns: a square-based pattern and a triangular-based pattern. The samples are 3D printed and the material combinations include one rigid and one flexible polylactic acid (PLA) sample, and one multi-material configuration with flexible PLA crease areas and rigid PLA origami faces. The rigid square sample was the most effective at absorbing a single drop-weight impact load and the flexible Miura pattern was most effective at absorbing impact loads when multiple drops were performed on the same sample. The rigid triangular structure withstood the highest loads during the quasi-static compression testing. A finite element model of the quasi-static compression test was built to enhance the analysis of the various tested configurations.

Directed Instability as a Mechanism for Fabricating Multistable Twisting Microstructure

“…This includes fabrication techniques like the utilization of the natural buckling patterns [14,15] or 3D and 4D printing. [16][17][18] Additional applications focus on deployable structures, [19,20] innovative robotic arms [21,22] which are actuated by magnetic fields [23] or pressure, [24][25][26] and agile crawling robots, [27][28][29] which are also actuated by magnetic fields [30,31] or pressure. [32,33] The potential of the pattern extends even to the fields of energy absorption [34,35] and harvesting, [36,37] and it has been found that geometrical configuration can enhance the design and performance of the structure.…”

Nonlinear topology optimization design and gripping tests of a novel origami chomper-based flexible gripper

“…There are two available alternatives for altering the crease characteristic, i.e., changing the material at the crease and modifying the geometrical configuration of the crease. Changing the material properties at the crease may lead to difficulty in manufacturing due to the multi-material fabrication [40]. Thus, altering the geometrical configuration at the crease is a preferable option.…”

Origami Chomper‐Based Flexible Gripper with Superior Gripping Performances

“…Changing the material properties at the crease may lead to manufacturing difficulties owing to multimaterial fabrication. [ 41 ] Therefore, altering the geometric configuration of the crease is preferable. Size optimization makes a limited contribution to improving the performance of origami structures.…”