Quantifying and Comparing Surrogate Fold Motions in Thick Sheet Materials

Origami-based design is increasing in popularity as its benefits and advantages become better understood and explored. Surrogate folds are a means of achieving fold-like behavior, offering solutions for origami-based products in new materials. A surrogate fold is a localized reduction in stiffness in a given direction allowing the material to function like a fold. A family of surrogate folds is reviewed and the respective behaviors of the folds discussed. For a given fold configuration, the material thickness is varied to yield different sizes of surrogate folds. Constraint assumptions drive the design, and the resultant configurations are compared for bending motions. Finite element and analytical models for the folds are also compared. Prototypes are made from different materials. This work creates a base for creating design guidelines for using surrogate folds in thick sheet materials.