Dynamic Inflatable Structures and Digital Fabrication Process

Abstract

Inflatable structures made of flat film materials have an advantage of low cost, lightweight and rapid deployment, but the variation of their forms is relatively limited, and it is a challenge to produce pneumatic deformations. This paper proposes a designing and manufacturing process of inflatable structures which are made of flat film materials and are able to perform dynamic movements. The process includes steps in which a target 3D surface is produced through programmed 2D paths heat-sealed on flat films of different thickness, leading to a structure composed of air chambers. A parametric modelling procedure and associated principles are developed for the relationship between the forms of a flat-film-based inflatable structure and the heat sealing patterns on the film. A system of double-layer air chambers was designed to control the direction of bending movements. In addition, the form variation of a designed inflatable structure can be achieved by a parametric design process described in this paper.