Realistic simulation of origami folding (please help!)

[spencer.matonis]

Hi guys,

I'm new to Fusion 360 and am trying to do a rather unorthodox simulation...

I would like to have a simulation of origami folding (/buckling), as encouraged by an etched hill/valley pattern.

(so not unrealistic hinges/joints)

I'm having a hard time just fusing my structures together with merge (doesn't seem to work). Could someone take a look at the file(s) I've attached and give me some tips? Or make a little demo of a joint folding themselves?

There are probably faster ways to sketch/design this than what I'm doing.

The reason is that I'm going through this trouble is because I'm interested in seeing how the structure stores and releases strain energy (e.g. a simulation that squishes the structure and then let's go) with different material stiffnesses. If I was just interested in the range of motion, I think I would use joints. I don't need to simulate a big array...one "mountain" could be enough.

Thank you in advance!!

 

[judah.kuth · Accepted solution]

Hello Spencer,

How about this?  I made a surface as a component, duplicated it, made some dummy bodies for joints so I could get two surfaces to fold correctly, moved the surfaces to an arbitrary fold angle, offset both surfaces, mirrored and stitched, and then thickened them.  Let me know if this helps!

[spencer.matonis]

Hi @judah.kuth, sorry for the late reply. I downloaded and played with the joint you sent. Thank you for the reply/file.

How would I stitch together multiple cells? Would you be able to screen capture how you made this one?

Before testing, I deleted the cylinders...I guess these were the "dummy bodies"? How do you use them to "fold correctly"?

So you started with the two surface connected, made joint, separated them, and then stitched them?

Thanks again,

S

[judah.kuth]

Hey @spencer.matonis , here's a screencast walking through my workflow.  If anything isn't clear, let me know!

https://autode.sk/32kAKLo